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Hi, my name is Theressa. I was born at Moody Air Force Base Hospital in Valdosta, Georgia. My dad, now retired, was a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, so we moved several times.
From Valdosta, we moved to Montgomery, Alabama. Two of my siblings, Gene and Pam, were born while we lived there. Then we moved to Coral Gables, Florida, for a short time, before we moved on to Lake City, Tennessee, where I started 1st grade. While I was still in the 1st grade, we moved to Charleston, West Virginia, where we lived until I was in the 4th grade. Then it was moving time again. First to Florence, Kentucky (I was there when President Kennedy was assasinated) and then to Hendersonville, North Carolina.
That was three schools in the same school year. I made friends easily, but sure did hate to leave them behind. My baby sister, Amy, was born when I was in the 6th grade. We stayed in North Carolina until late in my 11th grade (we had moved across town to East Flat Rock between my 9th & 10th grades, which meant a change from West Henderson High School to East Henderson High School).
In December, 1970, I said 'Yes' to my future husband, Bruce, when he asked if I would marry him. But then my family moved to Crittenden, Kentucky, where I completed the 11th grade. Not liking to be that far away from Bruce, we married on July 31, 1971, and I moved back to North Carolina. We lived in a very small trailer in Penrose until I graduated from East Henderson High School (3rd in the class). After my graduation, we moved to Arden, North Carolina, where we still live (although we did build onto the house).
I intended to continue my education, but we found we were going to have a child and my education was delayed for several years. Between 1973 and 1980, we had four children (Tim, Crystal, Kenny, and Lora). I sold Tupperware, Stanley Home Products, Avon, and Friendly Home Products during those years for additional income but primarily because I'm a people person.
I did return to school in 1981 and in 1984, at age 30, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) with an AAS (Associate Degree in Applied Science) in EDP (Electronic Data Processing). After graduation, I worked for 5 1/2 years as a systems analyst and office manager for Blue Ridge Commodities, Inc. I also taught some computer and adult education classes through the continuing education department at BRCC. A job change was needed, so I took a temporary job (7 months) as financial aid officer at BRCC where I also took some classes that would transfer to a university.
In 1990, I began 3 years of commuting (1 hour each way) to Western Carolina University (WCU). In 1991, I started working at the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) as a co-operative education student. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from WCU in 1993 with a BSBA (Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration), with majors in both Accounting and CIS (Computer Information Systems), and a 3.921 GPA in the University Honors Program.
While attending WCU, I was a member of IMA and DPMA in the School of Business. I was and continue as a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, Mortar Board, and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. I participated in two WCU Undergraduate Research Conferences. Other honors included Dean's List (all semesters), Student Marshal, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and College, and various academic scholarships.
At 47, my husband and I separated and were divorced after 30 years together. Looking for new friends, I joined the Mountain Shag Club in 2002 and finally learned to dance. I'd always wondered what 'the Carolina Shag' was... and after seeing club members demonstrate the dance, I was hooked. It was at a shag dance lesson that I met Sonny who is now my husband, best friend, and dance partner for life. It turns out, that he also attended East Henderson High School (just two grades ahead of me) and lived just across the hill from me in East Flat Rock. But it was not destined for us to meet until 30 years later.
All of my children are married. I have 6 grandsons and 4 granddaughters. I still work at the NCDC, where I've worn many hats, including one of supervisor. Currently I'm the Fiscal Systems Specialist. In addition to analyzing budgeting & accounting data and processes, I am a computer programmer (Visual FoxPro) and the DBA (database administrator) of our MIS (management information system).
I have indeed accomplished a lot. But the true sources of my successes in life have been God's blessings and my family's sacrifices. Without my family's support, I could not have done all that I have.
I currently live near
Asheville, in the mountains of
Western North Carolina.