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Staff
Mickey Shealy
Pastor (Head of Staff)
mshealy@firstpresdalton.org
Mickey was installed as pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Dalton, August 5, 2007. Before being called to Dalton, he served for eight years as Pastor (Head of Staff) at First Presbyterian Church in Gallatin, Tennessee. Mickey is a 1986 graduate of Wofford College. He earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1999 from Columbia Theological Seminary and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.
Mickey met Denise at Wofford College and they were married in 1988. Denise works for SunTrust as a mortgage loan specialist. They have three children: Keri is a freshman at the University of Georgia; Whitt is a tenth-grader at Dalton High School; and Philip is a fourth-grader at Westwood Elementary.
Mickey’s hobbies include riding bicycles and motorcycles, photography, and cooking. This year he and son Whitt plan to participate in the Bike Ride Across Georgia, a 400-mile trek through the middle GA countryside. Mickey is also planning a back roads motorcycle trip to Texas, which will include frequent stops at diners and dives along the way. Pictures and a blog about the experience will be posted.
According to Mickey, the two most powerful statements in Scripture are “I will” and “I am.
Tyler Downing
Associate Pastor
tdowning@firstpresdalton.org
Tyler grew up lost in the river wilderness between Georgia and Alabama. The Presbyterians found him and helped him get to Davidson College near Charlotte, North Carolina where he met his future wife, Ginger (who can flat cook!).
After earning a master’s degree in Richmond, Virginia at V.C.U., he and Ginger spent two years in Russia teaching school to children of diplomats in Leningrad. He returned to the States committed to find ministry. Since earning a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary, he has served churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. He came to First Presbyterian Church in 2005 to lead the Pastoral Care and Mission ministries.
His favorite quote comes from Martin Luther: "If you’re not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don’t want to go there."
Jean Strain
Director of Education Ministry
jstrain@firstpresdalton.org
A native of Virginia, she graduated from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia with degrees in Religion and Philosophy as an Honors Scholar. A lifelong ballet dancer, she danced with the Norfolk Civic Ballet before moving to Georgia. She taught ballet at the Creative Arts Guild in Dalton for twenty-one years prior to taking the position as Director of Educational Ministry at First Presbyterian where she has served for twelve years.
Jean is a Certified Christian Educator for the Presbyterian Church (USA), has taught courses for APCE (Association of Presbyterian Church Educators) and is active in Cherokee Presbytery having chaired the Nominating Committee and the Nurture Division. She is also a certified Grief Recovery Specialist. She is married to Dan Strain, a local attorney in Dalton. They have one grown son, Chris, who is Associate Professor of History and American Studies at Florida Atlantic University in Jupiter, Florida.
Jean’s interests include reading, sewing, exercising and bird watching. She also enjoys making the beautiful hand-beaded ornaments which are displayed on the Chrismon tree in our church’s narthex each Advent and Christmas.
Wayne Wilson
Director of Music Ministry
wwilson@firstpresdalton.org
As a native of Nashville, Tennessee, Wayne Wilson has been surrounded by music all of his life. At the age of thirteen, he began leading hymns in the church pastored by his grandfather.
While attending Samford University, Wayne continued his call as Minister of Music in small churches in Birmingham. Graduating with a triple major in Church Music, Vocal Performance, and Music Education, he has blended his degree into his life's work as a vocal artist, Minister of Music, and high school choral director.
For a number of years, Wayne worked for Gaylord Entertainment, more commonly known as Opryland, U.S.A. He performed in, managed, and directed shows during his tenure there. When the park closed, it was a natural transition into teaching. He has served as a music minister, either part-time or full-time, since his high school days.
Wayne's wife Bettye Jo has an extensive background in dance, drama, and interior design. She owned a performing arts academy for many years and is currently working as an interior designer.
Wayne and Bettye Jo are now "empty-nesters." Together they have five children: Matt, Jennie, Brannon, Sarah, and Tyler. They have nine grandchildren: Kaylee, Cameron, Brooklyn, Yurai, Zachary, Thuja, Savannah, Annalyse, and Annie Kate.
Ryan Cobb
Director of Youth Ministry
rcobb@firstpresdalton.org
Ryan has served as Director of Recreation at First Presbyterian since 2006, and as Youth Director in 2007. He is originally from Durham, NC and is the son of a Presbyterian minister. Ryan graduated in 2005 from King College in Bristol, TN with a B.A. in Youth Ministry and minors in Bible & Religion and Marketing & Management. Ryan is married to his beautiful wife Rachel who is finishing up her masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. They are the proud parents of Layla, a rambunctious spotted puppy. Ryan enjoys camping and backpacking, Mountain biking, playing and watching sports, and is a die-hard North Carolina Tarheels fan.
Heather Lyles
Director of Recreational Ministry
hlyles@firstpresdalton.org
A native of Chattanooga, Heather is the mother of two children, nine year old Elle Caroline and six year old Elijah James. An Ooltewah High School graduate, Heather attended The University of Tennessee at Martin where she graduated in 1999 with a major in Public Relations. After serving two years as a summer missionary with the Tennessee Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board, she answered a call to full time Christian service.
Heather brings with her ten years of experience in the fitness field. Her work with the Hamilton Family, Cleveland Family, and Henry YMCAs for a total of six years gives her experience in personal training, group exercise classes, recreation programming, and youth fitness. She served as the interim Children's Director for her home church, Morris Hill Baptist, and most recently worked as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor for The Rush 24-hour Fitness Complex in Chattanooga.
Heather hopes to see The Recreation Place reach its full potential as a place for people to come together and be healthier and happier serving God.
Julia Ray
Director of the Child Development Center
jray@firstpresdalton.org
Julia joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church in 2005. She is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in a family of ten brothers and sisters. Julia earned a bachelor's degree in Special Education from Auburn University and taught middle school in Gainesville, Georgia. She is married to Dennis, who is retired after thirty years with the government. They reside on a small farm in Lafayette. In her spare time, Julia enjoys caring for her menagerie of animals and riding her horse, Avalon.
Linda Hornbuckle
Administrative Manager
lhornbuckle@firstpresdalton.org
Linda attended Whitfield County Schools and Northwestern Technical College. She graduated from Hixon's School of Floral Design in Cleveland, Ohio; Linda owned and operated a local florist for fifteen years. She has been on staff since 1995 working in various capacities.
Currently Linda assists the ministers, coordinates the facilities/calendars, and helps with the church finances. She is married to Rodney, a retired construction teacher at Whitfield County Career Academy. Their two children, Shane and Brandi, along with their spouses and six grandchildren live out of town. Along with spending time with family, Linda enjoys life by taking her grandchildren camping, biking, fishing, and reading.
Nancy Hyatt
Financial Associate
nhyatt@firstpresdalton.org
Nancy has worked at the church for more than twenty-five years. She has a bachelor of science degree in History from Auburn University, and is also active in prayer ministry, Bible study, and teaching at First Presbyterian.
Nancy and her husband Bill, who is retired from a career in sales and technical service to the carpet and apparel industries, have two grown children, Carrie and Peter, and five grandchildren. Nancy is an apiarist and enjoys reading and gardening, but says "when the ‘little bitts’ are here the world stops and we laugh all the time."
Grady Loveless
Director of Maintenance
Grady Loveless has been the Director of Maintenance since 2000. He attended Ringgold High School and Kennesaw State, and has a background in industrial maintenance, fabrication, and welding. He was a member of the Local IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) of Chattanooga.
Grady and his wife Beth have been married for eleven years, and between them, they have four children: Nichole, Jason, Sara, and Joshua. Their three precious grandchildren are Gabriel, Keilan, and Kaylee. Grady enjoys spending time with his family. He is an avid landscaper with a passion for plants and design. Grady also enjoys traveling.
Connie McCarthy
Administrative Associate - Communication
cmccarthy@firstpresdalton.org
As Administrative Associate-Communications, Connie's job is to provide all church-wide communications and office support. She has worked at the church for fourteen years.
Connie studied Business Office Education at Jefferson State Junior College and has worked at three other churches in Kentucky and Tennessee for a total of over twenty years of church work. She also worked in marketing for ten years.
Connie is married to Mike, a local attorney, and they have three children. Her interests include hiking, biking, reading, and ministering to those healing from divorce.
Jan Parsons
Assistant Director of the Child Development Center
Jan has worked with the Child Development Center since 2002. She is a Dalton native and graduated from Dalton State College. Jan previously worked with Dalton Public Schools for 13 years. She is married to Walter, who is retired from the City of Dalton, and has two children, Lesley and Mark. Jan enjoys playing with her two granddaughters, Anna Lee and Ava. Her other hobbies include hiking, reading, cooking, and spending time with family.
Chris Hall
Interior Maintenance
Chris joined the staff of First Presbyterian Church in 2000. He grew up in East Ridge, Tennessee and come from a long line of East Ridgeans. Chris has 16 years in maintenance and has experience in electrical, plumbing, and carpentry. He met his wife, Christy, while attending high school. They have been married for twelve years and have a nine year-old daughter named Chloe. Christy is the assistant office manager for Brown & Med Service of Chattanooga.
Chris is an avid reader and loves outdoor activities, including camping, fishing, and ATV riding. But his favorite activity is spending time with family and friends.
Charles Rhodes
Maintenance Assistant
A native of Chattanooga, Charles has worked at the church as a maintenance assistant since 2000. He has been married to his wife, Debbie, for 33 years, and they live in Ringgold. Charles and Debbie have two children, Daniel and Lisa. In addition to his work at First Presbyterian, Charles is currently serving as pastor in Lafayette, Georgia and has been in the ministry, both full and part-time, since 1990.
Charles spent over sixteen years in the warehousing and inventory control field, with experience as a warehouse shipping and receiving manager as well as purchasing. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was awarded the Outstanding Trainee of the Cycle Award in basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. Charles is currently enrolled in Christian counseling courses at Light University and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He received his Certificate of Ordination for the Gospel Ministry from the Association of Evangelical Christian Churches in Memphis on January 1, 1995. He enjoys spending time with family and church family, and likes many types of music and activities that are centered around Christ.
Justin Maxey
Organist
Justin Maxey is a native of Winder, Georgia and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia. He has studied piano with Sue Williams, Dr. David Oliver, and Mary-Ann Knight. His organ studies have been instructed by Amelia Cotten, Dr. Jolene Davis, and Dr. Peter DeWitt.
Justin is the accompanist for the renowned Shorter College Chorale under the direction of Dr. Martha Shaw. In the spring of 2008, he joined the Chorale on a tour of Italy allowing him the opportunity to play the Grand Organ of St. Peter’s Basilica during mass in the Vatican. He is the featured accompanist on the Shorter Chorale’s nationally released CD, Hymns and Anthems of the Church, recorded at Spivey Hall, May 2009. This CD will be available for purchase in the fall of 2010.
Justin was selected as the featured young musician to represent the state of Georgia at the Baptist Church Music Conference in Winter Park, Florida the summer of 2007. In March of 2009, Justin was awarded first place at the Regional Competition for Young Organists hosted by the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Justin has been actively involved in church music since his early teens. He has served as organist for several churches and has traveled to many other churches in Georgia as a substitute or featured musician. In his spare time, Justin enjoys spending time with family and friends, water and snow skiing, and being outdoors.
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