Our board is made up of wonderful compassionate women who represent several Christian denominations and ethnic groups. We choose to demonstrate Christ through our work. We are moderate, relaxed, and open in how we interact with single moms, but we take Christianity and Christian spirituality seriously. We rely on the Bible, but are not dogmatic. We are interested in all believers and will not pressure our neighbors. Our primary form of witness is by our lives, but we do not hide the fact that we are Christians. We host Days of Blessing for single mothers in which we truly bless the moms with pampering and gifts. In doing so we hope to let Christ’s love shine through.
Briefs about our board members:
Betty Bernard was a guest at our first retreat. She has become an integral part of the ministry as she counsels and shares her story with other moms. She has experienced life’s hardest blows and remains a steady witness to staying on the path.
Kay Decuir – At the age of 30 with two children Kay became a single mom. She raised two beautiful children that now work in the medical field serving others. On
e of her proudest accomplishments is to be able to say both of her children are strong, independent, mature individuals who through many tough years growing up have made a great future for themselves. Through their faith and perseverance all three of them grew as a family and chose to make a difference in the lives of others. Kay has a vast experience in the educational arena with more than 27 years of experience. Kay has provided professional development and training for educators across the country. Kay currently is the Executive Director of the RL Shorkey Center for Education and Rehabilitation Services in Beaumont. The Shorkey Center provides pediatric therapies for children with special needs. Some of her former employers were University of Texas in Austin, Texas Education Agency Consultant, HOSTS Learning and Nederland ISD. She has coordinated teams of consultants and worked at the local, state, and national level on projects to support schools with federal and local funding implementations. Kay enjoys spending time with her husband of 12 years and keeping up with her grown children. Kay is the director of her Sunday School class and serves on the Personnel and Insurance Committees at her church. Kay also enjoys helping individuals seek financial assistance in the purchase of new homes in her role as a Real Estate Broker.
Carol Eddins grew up in Beaumont and Port Arthur, graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School. Carol earned a B.A. degree from Texas Tech University in Education. Carol taught in the Lorenzo and Port Arthur School Districts. Carol is married to her high school sweetheart and together they raised five children. During her stay-at-home years, Carol was actively involved with many church, civic and school activities. Carol co-founded a singing group in Mid County, “The Melody Makers” teaching music and manners to girls. Carol was a Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics with thirty-five women in her group.
Carol is a certified Life Coach- Financial Educator- Motivational Speaker.
Her business, Coaching Women To Wealth, provides financial information and encourages women to learn and follow God’s Financial Plan, the perfect plan. - Phil 4:19
Kay Miller-Horne, was born in Port Arthur, and now resides in Lumberton, Texas. She graduated in 1990 from Lamar State College-Port Arthur, with an Associate of Applied Science degree as a Legal Secretary. She worked in the legal field for several years, and then went to work at Exxon-Mobil as a Q.C. Laboratory Technician. That is where Kay met and married her first husband. After almost 10 years, she “retired” from working, and began her family. Kay is the proud mom of two amazing boys, Mason and Reese.
Kay enjoyed being a “stay at home mom,” but circumstances and situations were less than ideal. In 2007, she found herself divorced with two small children. When Reese, the youngest of her children, began attending first grade, Kay began wondering what she could do to help bring in money, and leave her time during the week to be available for her boys with activities. Kay was born with a talent of singing and playing the piano, and began to pray about using her gifts to support her children. She bought a newspaper on a random Monday morning and there on the front page, was an advertisement for her alma mater, Lamar State College-Port Arthur’s new Commercial Music Program. Kay had never auditioned with her voice or piano playing before, but at 40, she didn’t have anything to lose! She contacted the college, set up an audition, and a week later, she was registering for college….again!
Kay was a full time student, full time mom, and juggled a full time schedule of performing on weekends. She maintained a 4.0 GPA, and in December of 2010, graduated with her second Associate’s degree, as a Performance Major in the Commercial Music Department. Hard work and perseverance paid off and she thanks the good Lord every chance she gets for this incredible stroke of fate in her life. Kay met her new husband, Aaron, while pursuing this degree.
Kay and Aaron are joint owners of a recording studio located in Beaumont, Texas and are working on several CD projects of their own. Kay continues to play music locally on weekends, as well as participating in and providing worship music for retreats and local women’s events.
Kay says that God has blessed her more abundantly than she deserves. “There have been so many times I could have been angry at the events and happenings in my life. But I know a God, who has my life in His hand, and His plan is certainly a better choice than the decisions I have made for myself.” She believes that with the right mind set, you can determine in your heart to make your life better OR just get bitter…the only difference is “I”.
Charmaine Jackson was born and raised in the Trinidad West Indies. She moved to Port Arthur Texas at the age of fifteen, to live with her father and stepmother. She graduated from Lincoln High School and Lamar State College Port Arthur. Charmaine is the mother of a nineteen year old son, Torrian Norrel whom she has raised alone since he was five months old. She is certain that the only way she was able to make it being both a mother and a father to her son is because of the grace and mercy of the Almighty God, and the words of wisdom and encouragement that she received from grandparents.
Charmaine is employed by the Port Arthur Independent School District as Executive Assistant to the Director of District Communications Services and Public Affairs. She is a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. John R. Adolph. She is actively involved in the Choir and the Single Parents Ministry.
Being a single mother has enabled Charmaine to work her Faith in God continuously, no matter how bad the situation may be, always remembering what her grandmother, Doris, instilled in her, “PRAY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON.” In other words pray all of the time. Charmaine states that one of her greatest passions is being able to encourage and help people of all walks of life, always reminding them that success comes from determination, but determination comes from struggles. She also stays focus on one of her favorite scriptures, Psalms 121.
Brenda Morrow
Brenda grew up in Beaumont, Texas and graduated from French High School. She was very involved in band, played saxophone in both marching and stage band. In doing so she acquired a huge appreciation and love of music.
After graduation she married her best friend and had two wonderful children. Cody and Samantha, who are her life. She is so proud to have two children who are involved in church and thoughtful to others. Brenda is very family oriented. She is a direct descendent of Sam Houston and knew at a young age about the importance of family and heritage.
Brenda worked in several fields before having children. She trained and worked in print, runway and television commercials. And mostly enjoyed modeling. She was however unable to return to modeling after numerous back surgeries.
Her family and faith are the most important things in her life.
“In trying times faith is what gets you through it all. I feel pride that faith is so important to my children as they grow into adults and go off to college. My church family and SMORE family are such a blessing. It is a real honor to be a part of the SMORE organization.”
Sheila Sanders-Gillespie grew up in Nederland Texas and graduated from Nederland High School. She moved to the Dallas, Texas area, married in 1995, and became a mom of a precious daughter in 1999. She has since returned to Nederland where she currently resides with her daughter.
Sheila has worked in the Insurance industry for seventeen years. She began her career as a receptionist and currently serves as a member of the management team overseeing the service departments at Talon Insurance Agency, Ltd. Sheila served as chair of the women’s ministry committee at South Garland Baptist Church in Garland, Texas. She attended Bible Study Fellowship for many years where she facilitated weekly discussion groups as a discussion group leader. Sheila is a licensed cosmetologist with a passion to help women look and feel their best from the inside out. She has spoken at women’s ministry events for both women and teenage girls.
Being a single mom, Sheila understands first hand the many “hats” women wear while parenting solo. Women wear the “hat” of mom and nurturer, playmate, employee, disciplinarian, and in some cases, mechanic, contractor, lawn keeper and family chief financial officer. Sheila has personally learned how easy it is to become stuck in one role. Her passion is to teach and remind women to change “hats.” To take care of themselves first, physically, emotionally & spiritually, so they are well equipped to take care of their children and others. If we are running empty of energy, knowledge, and compassion, and self-confidence there is nothing to give. In order to give, women must be full. The ability to recognize which “hat” is required and change “hats” quickly comes from a rested, confident and full heart, listening to the voice of our Lord.
Sheila’s life scripture has been Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Mary Achan Simon is a native of Louisiana. She has experienced first-hand being a single parent of two wonderful sons, Joseph and Stephen Simon over the past eighteen years. While times were difficult and trying, she knows for sure her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was with her through it all.
She is a graduate of Grambling State University and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She has worked in the field of Mental Health and Mental Retardation for twenty-nine years and enjoys working with people. She has been called to work with people of all walks of life. She served as a CASA Youth Specialist before she became an Advocate for Arrow Child and Family Ministries whose headquarters is located in Spring, Texas. Her passion for working with parents and their children continues while working in the capacity of a Family Advocate. She has the opportunity each day to meet new families and to work with them through day to day challenges. However, the most invaluable thing is to empower families to build from their strengths to empower themselves to live the life God has designed for them. And, through any given day, there are positive things that happen to let her know that God is more than enough when going through any situation.
She is also the Single Parents Ministry Leader at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont under the leadership and direction of Rev. Dr. John R. Adolph, Pastor. Being appointed to the SMORE Advisory Board is another blessing from God to help people, specifically, single parents and their children.
She states, “I continue to pray and ask God to have His way with my life and to teach me in preparation to help another family.” Her favorite scripture is Psalm 23 as it reminds her that, ”no matter what I am going through the Lord is My Shepherd and I must follow HIM. No matter what HE has placed in my path; I know that God has directed every step along the way and that HE is with me upon this earth.” Her prayer is to be used by God by being his vessel to share his Word, express his Love and to encourage every person to trust him and to have the faith of a mustard seed. She says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, daily.”
Margaret Somers lived and raised her three children in Port Arthur area for 30+ years. After her divorce in 1989, she continued her clinical lab work in microbiology.
She went on to earn a M.B.A. degree and free-lanced as a grant writing and marketing consultant in Beaumont area in mid 90’s.
Currently, she lives in Houston as a caregiver to her parents, both in their 80’s and enjoys her two grandchildren! Margaret encourages others to refresh the mind, spirit, and body. She is very knowledgeable in business planning.
Carol L. Wommack, a lifelong resident of Jefferson County, lives in Port Arthur. She attended public school in Beaumont and Lamar University where she met her husband. The two were blessed with a beautiful, creative daughter, Leigh Ann, and handsome, talented son, W. Todd. Both children are now married and each has three children of their own; Leigh and Scott have girls and Todd and Brook have boys. Carol delights in being a part of their audience, whatever form it takes.
In 1991, Carol was suddenly cast into the role of a widow. Todd was still at home attending college so her “single mom” challenges are not the same as those with little children. None the less, many daily issues and necessary decisions are parallel for all single moms (and grandmothers).
At the time of Chuck’s death, Carol was attending Lamar-Port Arthur as well as working there. She and Todd both managed to make it through that semester, giving each other encouragement to continue their education. Todd received his BA from Lamar University in 1994. Carol received her AAS degree in 1999.
Being able to be a stay-at-home mom, Carol enjoyed work with the PTA groups of both children, loved learning new crafts, trying her hand at painting, and needlework. Time was spent serving in various volunteer roles at her church also. In recent years she has enjoyed learning and sharing proper etiquette, having completed official training by the Emily Post Institute in October, 2009. She is presently in the midst of start-up classes teaching etiquette sessions to teen and college youth.
Earlier in 2009, Carol retired after nearly twenty years with Lamar-Port Arthur. However she does continue to keep the books for the Port Arthur Higher Education Foundation which administers the scholarship for Lamar-Port Arthur. Also, she has just been elected to the Board of Directors of the YMCA and serves on the board of the Southeast Texas Arts Council. At the United Methodist Temple Carol has been active on numerous committees and currently serves as the Connecting Ministries chair and consultant for weddings taking place at the church.
As a widow, Carol realizes that one must appreciate the present for it truly is a gift from God. Life is to be lived and enjoyed to the fullest (John 10:10) and all need to see the beauty of their current situation no matter how difficult it may seem. Observe and listen to it closely, for there are lessons to be learned and praises to be lifted. Be grateful for life and choose to enjoy it.
