Janet Duvall-Athey – Chairperson
Janet is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother to 9 precious grandchildren. She has been involved in many ministries over the years from mission work, clothing ministries, counseling, teaching Bible studies, and music ministries.
For 5 years, Janet and a friend taught a class called “Making Peace with Your Past” at Carswell Federal Prison. That is where the vision and a need for a Christian transitional home was birthed. So in 2015, the vision became reality.
Janet is married to Chris Athey, a former 30-year Chaplain at Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He now has a correspondence course he manages for incarcerated men and women. They both enjoy doing ministry together to further God’s kingdom.
Kathy Manning – Vice Chair
Kathy has been married to her husband, Mike for 34 years and lived in Weatherford for 33 years. They are parents to two adult children and three grandchildren. She retired from Tarrant County District Attorney’s office as a Criminal Investigator with a total of 36 years in law enforcement. She is an active member of First United Methodist Church in Weatherford and has served on many committees. She is currently recruiting ushers and greeters for the worship services and cooks the Wednesday night fellowship meal at the church. Kathy has served in Kairos prison ministry and volunteers at Theatre Off The Square as a performer and eight years on the Board of Directors. She learned of Sanctified Hope and served as a mentor to a wonderful lady and prays that as she grows in Christ she can serve and minister with love to others.
Dean Suedmeyer – Board Member
Dean and his wife of 16 years, DeAnna, have lived in the Weatherford area for 30 years. Dean knows first hand what prison is like. He served 38 months on an 8 year sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 2 drug convictions. He was saved in 1994 during that incarceration.
Dean has been the pastor at New Life Fellowship Church for 4 years and a pastor at other church plants for a total of 7 years. He occasionally teaches topical messages, but mainly teaches verse by verse through the books of the Bible. Dean has a heart and a passion for reaching those who are without Christ, as well as discipling those that have a new relationship with Christ. He has recently retired from Ato-Residential-Commercial glass where he worked for 21 years as a general manager.
Dean’s favorite verse is 1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective”. His two greatest educators are the Holy Spirit and life itself.
Ava Blais – Secretary
Ava Blais was married to Lawrence F Blais until his death in 2008. They raised their daughter, Lauren, in Parker County, Trinity Bible Church and Trinity Christian Academy. Ava spent part of her career with the Department of Human Services ,(now DFPS) , Child Protective Services and later became a Juvenile Officer for the Family Law Courts in Tarrant County.
Ava was on the board of TCA for several years. Ava and her family were members of and served at TBC in a number of ways. She became a volunteer with CASA Hope for Children, Parker and Palo Pinto Counties in 2012 and is currently active as a court-appointed Special Advocate. Ava is a supporter of Sanctified Hope and other local organizations that support life and new beginnings. As a follower of Jesus Christ
it is her conviction that God is using this ministry to transform, encourage and equip the participants in their Christian walk.
Dr. Arleen Atkins – Board Member
Dr. Arleen Atkins is Dean of Institutional Effectiveness at Weatherford College where she oversights institutional research, planning and assessment, and the college’s ongoing institutional accreditation with the US Department of Education. Throughout her years employed at Weatherford College, she has served in many capacities including Vice-President of Instruction and Dean of Student Services. Dr. Atkins is also a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) with the Texas State Board of Licensed Professional Counselors. She supervises Licensed Professional Counselor Associates seeking licensure in her small private practice.
Dr. Atkins earned her Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Guidance and Counseling from Tarleton State University and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Curriculum, Instruction, and Supervision, with a minor in Counseling, from Texas A&M University at Commerce. She has taught as an adjunct instructor at Tarleton State University in the Department of Counseling, and she currently teaches part-time in the Psychology Department at Weatherford College.
Dr. Atkins is active in the local Zonta Club of Parker County where she serves on the Board of Directors, is Scholarship Committee Chairperson, and was named 2020 Woman of the Year. She is a member of the Annetta United Methodist Church where she plays piano and serves on the Church Council. She is also a member of the Weatherford College Wesley Foundation Board.
Dr. Atkins resides in Aledo where she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren and traveling with family and friends.
Jennifer Williams – Board Member
Jennifer Williams is a Parker County native with family heritage that has deep roots right here in Weatherford. Jennifer is married to husband (Carl) of 30 years, they pastor Rehoboth House of Worship in Ft. Worth, Texas where she is also Executive Administrator and Worship Leader. Jennifer and Carl have 3 children (Salyce, Carl Jr. and Veronica) who serve in the ministry as well. Jennifer is also a worshipper and often sings on platforms in the community. She sings in her husband’s music ministry Carl Williams & Tru Praze, where they travel and share their gift of worship with the world. Jennifer has 30 years of Executive level experience which encompasses Management, Director of Finance and Operation & Strategic Planning. She is the President and 10-year member of Parker County Executive Association. Jennifer treads the industry of Real Estate as the Client Services Coordinator for Trinity Classic Homes. Her goal is making sure every buyer has a great home-building/buying experience by letting Christ lead through her. Jennifer comes with years of successful experience working with many different types of personalities, ages, and ethnicities. Her God given leadership quality as well as experience, discernment, poise, and personality allows Jennifer to ignite and establish great relationships everywhere she plants. Jennifer is also a licensed, multi-cultural Stylist serving the Parker County and surrounding areas for over 25 years. Her passion is beautification by hair! Jennifer lives by the scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Tommy Turner
Tommy has a daughter and a son. He is a grandfather to 5 wonderful grandchildren. He has called Weatherford home for 31 years.
Tommy has been an active member of North Side Baptist Church for 12 years and a Deacon 22 years. He stays busy and enjoys being involved in the prison ministry, nursing home ministry, along with Reclaim and grief ministry. He is also a member of the Parker County Sherrif’s Posse.
One of Tommy’s favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things which you have not known.”
Tommy’s goal as a board member of Sanctified Hope is to help, encourage and witness to the women who enter into the program with the goal of rebuilding their precious lives.
Mike Brunner
Mike and his wife Sue have lived in Aledo for 28 years. They have two wonderful adult children and two beautiful grand kids. They met in college and have been happily married for 43 years.
Mike earned his MBA from Louisiana Tech University and retired in 2013 after 34 years as a sales and marketing executive in the financial payment services sector. Sue is a retired art educator and talented artist.
Mike discovered his passion for serving at the Center of Hope where he has been a part of this ministry teaching and mentoring for 7 years. It is here that he discovered Sanctified Hope as each of the ladies in the program take the Jobs for Life class at Center of Hope. It is an amazing blessing to be a part of Christ’s restoration and transformation in so many lives.
Mike’s favorite Bible verse is Romans 5:1-5.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”