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LARRY (ADAM)& LAURA BRADFORD
Info Coming Soon!!!
GREG & LISA DEERMAN
Greg and Lisa Deerman live in Kimberly. Both are retired—Greg was a maintenance technician/journeyman plumber/gas fitter, air conditioning and certified mechanic of appliance repair, refrigeration certified mechanic, general building repairs. Sounds like a great man to know! Lisa was a computer operator and bookkeeper prior to retirement. They have three children, Daniel 23, Laura 21 and Chip 19. They joined GMV on February 8, 2009. They like to help in the church kitchen and in the office. Greg also helps with home repairs for members. They like to participate in various ministries, such as helping stock the Dream Garden child care center with snacks and sending needed items to the Upper Sand Mountain Home in Gadsden. They also enjoy sending cards and notes of encouragement to Joy class members and our shut-ins. Greg likes working on his computer, studying the Bible, theology and history. Also he likes fishing and swimming, and helping Lisa with her painting. Lisa also likes to fish, study the Bible, paint and Alabama football (Roll Tide!). If money were no object, they would travel, Lisa would particularly like to go on a Christian cruise. Greg has been disabled for six years, grew up in Smokerise. He was in the Navy and taught at Bessemer Technical School for 4 years. He likes to draw. Lisa enjoys keeping her mind sharp with Bible studies and learning from the books she used when she homeschooled her children for 7 years. They were both raised in the Baptist church, met in a “Single Again” class at Eastside Baptist Church and were married 14 years ago. (Met in March, engaged in April and married May 27, 1995!) They don’t go out to eat a lot, but enjoy Red Lobster, Bryant’s, Milo’s Steak-N-Ale and O’Charleys when they do go. Greg is the cook in the family, and his favorite dishes to prepare are chicken parmesan (his own recipe), BBQ Chicken (with his special secret sauce) and chicken spaghetti.
DANNY & LAURA DUNSON
 Danny and Laura live in Gardendale, 2 doors down from McDonald’s. Laura is Benefits Manager at The Birmingham News and Danny recently started his own company, Pinnacle Painting Contractors. Laura has a son, Gavin, age 33, and a daughter, Brandi, soon to be 32. Danny’s son, Allan, is 25 and Allan’s son is 6 years old—that’s Kaleb. Danny and Laura have been at GMV about 11 years and in the JOY Class from its inception, about 7 years (?). Laura is chair of the International Mission Team, teaches an occasional Bible Study on Wednesday evenings, and assists Danny with the “administrative duties” connected to the JOY Class. Danny sings with the SonRise Praise Team, serves as COM chair (that’s Council on Ministries) and teaches the JOY Sunday School Class. He has also served on the Evangelism and Prayer teams. They have been to Brazil 7 times and once to Honduras on short-term mission trips and plan to lead a trip to Kenya in 2009. They serve at Jimmie Hale, First Light, Urban Ministry, and support Dream Garden, Royal Family Kids Camp, North Jefferson Women’s Center and the new Celebrate Recovery ministry. Laura likes to read and is learning to crochet. She also very much enjoys shopping, but says that activity should be listed under the “sin” category rather than hobbies, she’s trying to quit (well, cut back, anyway!). Danny enjoys golf (some days more than others), riding his lawn mower, playing with his grandson and talking (about most anything!). If they could retire tomorrow, worry-free, they would travel, spend a lot of time in Brazil, serving in the mission field
NICK & ANN GETWAN
Nick Getwan lives in Gardendale and works for Regions Bank as Desktop Services Field Support Manager (a mouth-full!). He and wife Ann have two kids, Ashley is 18 and Nicholas 14. He’s been a member of GMV since 2001, and in the JOY Class since it started. He serves as chairman of the Sound and Media Committee and runs the sound board for the Sonrise Service. He supports the Brazil Mission Team and claims to have no time for hobbies, spends too much time on yard work. His big confession is that he voted democrat once in the early 70’s –George McGovern. He’s repented, though. He was raised in the Catholic church and enjoys eating out at the Fish Market, Purple Onion, Full Moon Bar-B-Q, Louie’s and Leonardo’s. His favorite dishes to prepare are ribs on the smoker and red beans and rice. He met his wife, Ann, at work and they’ve been married 19 years.
DEBRA HARE
Hey Randy, ya got a picture of Debra in her big hair during high school?
GENE LEWEY
 Gene lives in Mt. Olive. He works as a Systems Analyst Lead at UAB Radiology and is (was?) a Major, Armor & Field Artillery in the ALARNG. He and wife Susan have one child, Katie Beth. They’ve been members at GMV since 2001. He joined the Joy Class in 2007. He serves on the Media Committee, is the Media Support at the Sonrise Service, and will be teaching Discover Your Serve in the Wednesday night GROW classes this fall.
Gene enjoys reading, sports and camping. If he could retire tomorrow he would be a full-time RV’er! As for something we wouldn’t guess about him, he says he love the M1 Abrams tank. (??)
He was raised as a Baptist. His favorite restaurants are Dales in Florence, Jim & Nick’s and Surin West.
As for cooking, he leaves that to Suze—who he met in a Cell Biology Class at UNA—they’ve been married since 19889.
As for the presidential election, he’s leaning toward Chuck Norris!
JOHN & PHOEBIE LIMBAUGH
INFO COMING SOON!
DOUG & PAM MCKINNEY
 Doug and Pam have been in marital bliss for 35 years November , 08. They have live here in Gardendale all but 5 years in Dothan. Pam grew up here. Her great-great-grandfather (Fields) settled in Fieldstown after the Civil War- Hence Fieldstown Rd. etc. (Pam, was the civil war between him and the Mrs.?) Doug has been with the Southern Company for 35 years as an engineer for Southern Nuclear in support for Farley Nuclear plant. They have a daughter 29 who is married with two kids for Pam and Doug to spoil! They have been members of GMV 30 years and joined the Joy Class the end of April. Doug has served as chairman of the Administrative Board, Evangelism, and missions and is a Leader of the Vision Team. Pam has served in the children’s department and Women’s circle. Both enjoyed the small group participation during Purpose Driven life! Doug is invest heavily in mission work serving as President of the North Jefferson Women’s Center, and is an active participant in the Kairos Prison Ministry where he recently was Lay Director of the Spring 2008 Kairos 47 at W E Donaldson Correctional Institute. He has taken the gospel to Rwanda the last two years serving in evangelism and is a supporter of Urban Ministries food program. Doug enjoys reading and is a history buff while Pam enjoys the roll of being a grand-mom! If they were to retire now Doug & Pam would both sleep a lot later, dispense of beepers, cell phones cooking and clothe washing!! Both were raised Methodist and you can find them hanging out at restaurants like Dreamland, Bright Star, Our Place and Lovoy’s! They met at Alabama Power when Ready Kilowatt was just a kid!
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MINDY ROBBINS
 I currently live in Morris, but hope to move into Gardendale, Mt. Olive or Fultondale soon. I am the Administrative Associate for the MD/PhD Graduate Program at UAB. I started there in March of 2008, but have been with UAB for five years. I was raised in a Southern Baptist Church and was a member of that church until I joined Mt. Vernon in 2005. Areas I serve in the church are on the Administrative Board; I am a C.A.R.E. Captain (until 2009) and the two places I am most passionate about serving are on the 8:30 Son Rise Service Worship Team and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. I also support our various mission teams and go with the Brazil Mission Team as often as I can. My greatest interest is discovering God’s plan for me. My hobbies are knitting, reading and spending quality time with my Christian family. I am also a little addicted to some sci-fi television. If I could retire tomorrow without worrying about the bills I would invest my time in serving those who serve God in the ministry and help organize mission trips. My favorite restaurant depends on the occasion and mood. I love to go to the Paw Paw Patch on Greensprings Hwy.as often as I can since it is close to work. I love Mexican food especially Los Compadres also in Greensprings. However, Nabeel’s in Homewood has a great atmosphere and great variety of Mediterranean, Greek and American cuisine. I am always open to suggestions for new places to eat and find my new favorite place. I love to cook, too. My favorite foods and dishes are the easy, but healthy kind. I love to cook asparagus. It’s easy, fairly quick and very healthy. I just discovered a new easy dish which has become my favorite. It’s a chicken-parmesan recipe that I made up after eating a frozen dinner. It has no pasta, just veggies, chicken and parmesan. It’s also quick because I use my Tupperware. I have never been married and have no kids. I wish the latter could be assumed, but that’s not so in this day and time. I can’t think of anything you don’t know about me because my life is pretty much an open book. The only thing that I can think of that might not have come up in class is not a pleasant subject. As a pre-teen, I considered, very seriously, committing suicide. Having had that thought in my mind certainly gives me a different perspective on depression and the bad thoughts that can go through any person’s life at any time.
LEWIS & JENNY THOMAS
Info Coming Soon!!!
JAMES & CATHY WALKER
James and Cathy live in Gardendale (though James’ answer to the question was, “I live wherever I am.”). James is a technician at BellSouth and Cathy is a teacher in the church CEC (Child Enrichment Center). They have two sons, ages 20 and 23. James has been a member of GMV since about 1965, and is one of the original founding members of the JOY Class. He and Cathy both serve in the areas of hospitality and missions. James is a member of the Civitan Club, enjoys sports (as an enthusiastic supporter rather than a participant!), Bible study, missions and history. If he could retire tomorrow with no worries he would buy an ice cream truck and give away ice cream in the poor areas of Jefferson County. He has also worked with a prison ministry at St. Clair County. He and Cathy have made numerous mission trips to Brazil, once to Honduras. He likes most all restaurants and is a fantastic cook—his favorite dishes to prepare are BBQ, squash, okra and ice cream. (His burgers on the grill and homemade ice cream are superb!—and don’t ask him to “make it healthy!”) James and Cathy met in high school and have been married almost 29 years. Asked about his voting preference for the upcoming Presidential election, he says, “I voted for Danny for governor last time, I think I might write in one of my JOY Class friends this time.” Cathy hasn’t submitted a survey, but we know she likes to crochet and her dream job would be restoring classic cars! She loves kids and makes a fantastic lasagna.
ANDY & ANN WHITLOW
 Raggedy Ann and Andy make such a cute couple! They live in Gardendale. Ann is a school teacher, Andy a pipe counter at ACIPCO (actually he has a much more sophisticated title than that, but he didn’t submit a survey and that’s what he always says when you ask him what he does—“I count pipe!”). They have a son, Lee, who is 26 years old and married to Danielle. Ann and Andy have been in the JOY Class since October of 2005. Ann serves on the Worship Team, does computer entry on Sunday mornings and has served as a CARE team leader. She is currently teaching a GROW class which enables women (men, too if they want) to learn to crochet or knit and make prayer shawls, hats for preemies, etc. Andy is an usher and a member of the emergency response team. The Whitlows support the CEC (Child Enrichment Center), the Brazil Mission Team, First Light and the Royal Family Kids Camp. Ann loves to crochet, knit, tat and read. If she could retire with no worries, she would find a place to work helping to spread the Word of Jesus Christ and travel the world. She also prefers to be outdoors, working in her yard. She was raised as a Baptist, but says she didn’t learn enough about the Holy Spirit in that setting. She loves Mexican restaurants, and she’s a great cook! She says she especially likes to make meatloaf and baked chicken, but we happen to know she makes wonderful cakes, cookies, casseroles, appetizers—you name it, she can cook it and it’s always delicious! She met Andy at a local grocery store (Gardendale), and they’ve been married 31 years in September of 2008. Andy likes to play golf and he’s a hopeless romantic and big spender—he took Ann to Hoover, Alabama for the weekend to celebrate their anniversary! (And all the pictures we have of him show him with a goofy grin!) He’s a cut-up and an all-round good guy you can count on in a pinch. Ann has a servant’s heart and is always looking after the rest of us—she’s thoughtful, considerate and generous, and a fantastic hostess. After living for at least 28 of their married years in the house Ann grew up in, the couple has built their dream home and they love to share it—it makes a perfect location for JOY Class socials.
RAY & CHARLOTTE WHITTAKER
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Ray and Charlotte live in Fultondale. Ray is an RN, currently working for New Beacon Hospice; Charlotte is a Supervisory Legal Assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Ray has two sons, Daniel, 26 and David, 25. Charlotte has two daughters, Stephanie, 31 and Adrienne, 26—and six grandchildren! They joined GMV in May of 2008, began attending the Joy Class in February of ’08. Ray is a drummer for the 8:30 Sonrise praise band. Ray is working on the establishment of CareNet Connection in our church. This is a ministry which partners with churches and other organizations to help people in need and also provides training as requested for teams of people in those organizations to provide practical ministry to frail elderly/disabled people in need. Ray says his favorite interests and hobbies are · “Charlotte”—being with her whether that be on the beach or watching HGTV at home · Playing the drums · Parish Nursing or Faith Community Nursing Charlotte likes - Being lazy on the beach
- Trying new restaurants (preferably oriental or exotic)
- Watching HGTV
- Working in the yard
- Her grandkids—6 ranging in age from 18 months to 10 years—4 girls, 2 boys
- Most favorite—spending time with Ray
If they could retire tomorrow they would travel, spend time with each other, volunteer work as a Faith Community Nurse (Ray). As for interesting unknown facts… Ray was married 21 years to his first wife who died approximately 7 years ago. Also, he spend 11 years in the Army and is a veteran of the first Persian Gulf Conflict. Charlotte’s first husband was enlisted Air Force and they were stationed in the Phillipines from 1980-1983. Her youngest daughter was born there. She worked in Washington, DC from 1988-1990. While there, she was able to attend the inaugural parade and swearing-in ceremony for President George H.W .Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle. She also attended a reception ceremony on the White House south Lawn for the president of Tunisia. Ray was raised as a “PK,” Southern Baptist Preacher’s Kid. Charlotte attended a Baptist church as a child, but did not start attending again until she moved to Birmingham in June of 1994. She was saved in May of 1995 at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood. Charlotte’s favorite restaurants include The Dragon in Homewood (this is where she and Ray met on a blind date); Sumo’s Japanese Steakhouse; Taj India and the Cheesecake Factory. Ray like all of the above plus Lee’s Famous Friend Chicken in Jasper. As for cooking, Ray’s specialty is “Ray’s world Famous Curry Chicken” (he will share the recipe if anyone’s interested). Charlotte cooks bulgogi (Korean barbecue), stir-fry, lasagna, anything on the grill. They met on a blind date through a mutual acquaintance in October of 2001 and were married in February of 2002.
RANDY & KATHY YOUNGBLOOD
Kathy and Randy Youngblood met in Junior High School and celebrated their 24th anniversary this year. Their son, Cole, is 11 years old. Kathy is an Elementary School Teacher and Randy is Police Chief at Birmingham Southern College. They’ve been members of GMV since 1996 and aren’t sure when they joined the JOY Class. Kathy serves in the children’s department and Randy in safety and security and is an usher. Ministries and missions they support are the children and soon to be youth. They are a mixed marriage; Randy was raised Baptist and Kathy- Methodist. Randy enjoys hunting, fishing and horseback riding. Kathy’s main interest is being a mom which leaves little time for hobbies, but would love to see the world one day. If they could retire tomorrow, free from the worry of paying bills, Randy would do more hunting, fishing and horseback riding; Kathy-sleep. Their favorite restaurants are ANY and ALL!! Randy’s favorite thing to cook is Southwestern soup and venison. Kathy doesn’t cook which is why her favorite restaurants are any and all.
MARK ZASSODA
If you shake Mark up, would he fizz? Get it, ZasSODA!
YOU OUR NEXT MEMBER!
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