Paisley’s theme for this month is #followyourheart. Have you always followed your heart?

Ever since I was a little girl, I followed my heart and did not let anything stand in my way. My dream was to play college basketball, and when my high school coach told me I would never be good enough, I did whatever it took to receive a college basketball scholarship to play ball. I became a teacher, coach and school counselor to help students follow their hearts and their dreams!

When Newark, New Jersey, native Dr. Oatanisha Dawson was studying engineering at Rutgers University, she never envisioned that 20 years later she would be the principal of an elementary school in a small, southeast Georgia town.

“I started at Rutgers and attended three years studying industrial engineering,” she said with a smile, while seated behind her office desk at Goodyear Elementary School in Brunswick. “I loved the idea of building plans and creating affordable housing. Then my life changed.”

26-year-old Caley Neely had just gotten out of the shower, dried her hair and put on her makeup for work. But something wasn’t right. Her usual headaches had intensified that week, creeping down her neck and persisting no matter what she took for the pain. Now everything was hazy, and she finally asked her husband to take her to the ER.

“I was going in and out,” said Caley, an occupational therapist who works in a hospital rehabilitating people after strokes and injuries. “I couldn’t answer questions or even speak. I just started bawling because in my mind I kind of knew what was going on in bits and pieces, but other times I had no idea.”

From the time she was a small child in Virginia, New York Times, Amazon, and USA Today best-selling author and St. Simons resident Claire Cook knew she wanted to be a writer. “I started writing when I was little, little. The first thing I had published was on a kid’s page when I was six years old,” she said smiling. “I majored in film and creative writing in college (Syracuse University). But when I graduated, I choked. I listened to all the negativity about how hard it was to be a writer and hid from writing for decades.”

Instead of pursuing her calling, she “followed her kids to school” and became a teacher for 16 years. “I wrote for some magazines and won awards for creative teaching, but it was as if I had buried my dream so deep, I almost couldn’t find it. I really loved the kids, but it just hit me one day that I could be one of those people who didn’t ever try. My procrastination finally became more painful than actually doing it.”

Sylvia Tervoort, who hails from the Netherlands, speaks with a wide smile, shakes hands with the grip of a titan and is an excellent ambassador for the world’s seafaring industry. Since 2008 Sylvia has been a Salvage Master with SMIT, one of the largest maritime salvage and towage organizations in the world. This job title, usually held by men, is held by only one woman in the world and it is Sylvia.

Since early September, Sylvia, along with approximately 50 SMIT salvage crew members and other first responders, including the US Coast Guard and State of Georgia professionals, have been in the Golden Isles handling the salvage operation of the capsized Golden Ray cargo ship, which is lying on its side in the St. Simons Sound. The almost new two-year-old massive ship is more than two football fields long and has capacity to carry up to 6,933 cars.

Debbie, how did you meet your husband, Scott?  What stirred your move to St. Simons Island in 2016? We met during my freshman year at Gordon College in Wenham, MA. I was pursuing an elementary education degree and looking for Mr. Right. I spotted a tall handsome boy from Brunswick, GA., during orientation and that was that.

We married after graduation and three years later left New England for the University of Georgia and grad school. Scott started working for The Coca-Cola Company after an internship there, and we moved to Atlanta. I found alternative ways of using my education degree in manufacturing, multimedia, distribution and even at the GAP with positions that allowed me to do corporate training, write operations manuals, conduct new hire orientation, and even accounting. When my babies came, I never hesitated to stay at home with them.

I worked for Fulton County Schools as a school assistant, substitute and front desk receptionist when our children entered elementary school and essentially went to work with them. Tyler (now 25) and Hannah (22) both graduated from UGA with degrees in public relations like their daddy. They live in Atlanta and Athens, have neat jobs with PR agencies and are successfully adulting!

Mary Monroe is the perfect example of a woman with strong faith, a positive attitude and serendipitous good sense. Since moving south from Lake Orion, Michigan, 17 years ago, her life path has led her to the best places at the right time.

Raised in a musical family, Mary attended Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan, minoring in music (piano) and majoring in psychology. Soon she was a mother of four— Benjamin (23), Mary Kate (21), Grace (19) and Jack (14).  

Mary said she came here with nothing: “I made my way down here with my four kids and a prayer. I’ve prayed so long for clarity and direction, and I am starting to see it. I found myself here after a divorce. The kids were young, and it was not easy to leave, but it was a good time for me to reevaluate and make the move. We arrived and stayed with family—all four went through school here. Three are in college now and Jack is in ninth grade; they are all doing well.

Way back in the day, some six generations ago in McIntosh County, Jenkins’ family members often gathered to share their Gullah Geechee heritage in the form of the Shout, performing their ancestral stories through movement, word and song, especially during worship on Sundays. Today the McIntosh County Shouters continue to share this living history. Their performance of the Shout has been proclaimed by many as the roots of all music in America. Yes, ALL American music.

We sat down with nine of the ten member group, each one graced with a special purpose in honoring their ancestors. The Shouters are all cousins, who are descendants of London and Amy Jenkins, and have lived in McIntosh all their lives. L.C., Carolyn, Carletha, Freddie, Dennis, Kantressa, Carol, Brenton and Vanessa were happy to share views and stories of their nearly 40 years in public performance. Carletha spoke first: “We did not learn the Shout; it is in us. The old souls of our ancestors come right on out!”

Reneé Sutton is feeling fortunate after surviving two bouts of early stage breast cancer.

“With my first breast cancer, I found a lump in my right breast while taking a shower,” she said, adding she had a mammogram, which showed no signs of cancer, just three months before discovering the lump. “It was a small, non-aggressive tumor.”

Her treatment included a lumpectomy and radiation to eradicate the cancer, but a year later, a mammogram revealed a small tumor in her left breast. “They called it in-situ (earliest stage cancer, considered non-invasive).” With this second diagnosis, Reneé chose to have a bi-lateral mastectomy. “The second one was so small I didn’t need radiation.”

Virginia, AKA the “Consummate Communicator,” is President and CEO of The United Way of Coastal Georgia. She and her husband, Ed, moved to the area four years ago, first residing in Darien and now on St. Simons Island. With cell phone in hand, Virginia can administrate from any vantage point, like here, from a downtown Brunswick historical square. For her, being out in our community, which is full of extraordinary people, is far more important than being at her desk.

Charity Tyson is a woman on the move. Over the last 13 years not only has the divorced mother of three worked her way up the ranks at Lowe’s Home Improvement to the position of department supervisor, she accomplished this all while earning a college degree and overseeing her own business, It’s OK to by You, LLC, which includes writing self-help books. In addition she is close to earning her second degree, as well.

Growing up in small-town Americus, Georgia, Charity knew she wanted to get out into the world to expand her horizons. “Being raised as the oldest of three girls by a single mother, I knew I needed to step out on my own and experience the world and meet people from all different backgrounds.” After high school, she did just that by joining the Army National Guard where her upbringing came in handy.

Olivia Hutcheson Holland
Brunswick, Ga.
First United Methodist Church Duncan Sunday School Class

“An Apple A Day keeps the doctor away” is a very wise saying, but these days, maintaining a healthy lifestyle involves more than making an annual doctor's appointment. There’s more we all can do. Sharing the impact optimism has on personal health, experts agree that being naturally optimistic could add seven or more years to your life. (AARP Bulletin June 2018) And, having someone to share your life with is key; in other words, our family, friends and pets are our “apple cores!”

Meet Olivia Holland, who with the biggest of hearts, loves sharing her talents. She and her husband, Jon, never seem to waste a minute of time in giving back to others:

For St. Simons Island nurse practitioner Lauren Koncul, her path to a healthcare career began in childhood. “I grew up in a family where a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating were important. Nothing we ate came out of a box. We ate fresh whole food and sat down to eat as a family,” said Lauren, who was born in Atlanta but moved to Savannah with her family as a child. “My brother, Brendan, and I learned to cook at a very early age and helped our mom with the catering business she ran. We were also physically active.”

This conscious healthy lifestyle, combined with having a father who was a perfusionist —the professional who runs the heart/lung machine during open heart surgery—moved Lauren to know, as a child, she would choose a career in healthcare. “I always wanted to take care of people. When I was a teenager, my father would take me along to observe surgery. I loved it.”

Michelle Merrill
Musical Director and Conductor
The Coastal Symphony of Georgia

Conductor Michelle Merrill just completed her first season with The Coastal Symphony. And what a 2018-19 season it was: One of great variety and talent played by superb musicians, who smiled widely through each note created under Director Michelle’s baton. Always “in tune” with life and always on the go, Michelle took some time out with Paisley to share some insight and thoughts…

While Georgia has only 100 miles of coastline, the state has one third of the salt marshes along the entire U.S. Eastern Seaboard. “Marshes protect us from storms,” said Lea King-Badyna. “That’s why it is so important to keep them thriving and healthy.”

Keeping such an important resource vibrant is one of the missions of Keep Golden Isles Beautiful (KGIB), where Lea serves as Executive Director. The non-profit is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and has five main areas of emphasis—litter prevention, water resource awareness, education, waste reduction, recycling and community greening.

Kim Campbell, site manager for Coastal Georgia Historical Society’s World War II Homefront Museum in the historic Coast Guard Station on St. Simons, has always been fascinated by history. “I like telling stories, especially about real people. I think it’s important to talk and learn about our past.”

After graduating high school, Kim chose Mercer University in Macon. “As a freshman at Mercer, I knew I was going to be a history major. I didn’t want to study anything else. My parents were very supportive.” She said unlike other people, her parents never asked the question of what she would do with a history degree—at least for her first two years of college. “In my junior year, my parents did ask that question,” she laughed. “In good millennial fashion, I Googled, ‘what do you do with a history degree?’”

Brunswick native Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed loves the life she leads. Since 2008, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Rev. Abraham Wilson, a Baptist preacher, Abra is a Bi-vocation United Methodist Pastor at Harper Chapel UMC in Baxley, GA. She and her husband, Barry Reed, are parents to four adult daughters and six grandchildren. This dedicated servant leader stays energized by helping others discover God’s grace daily.
What was your life like growing up in Brunswick?

I grew up with supportive parents, seven siblings, and lived in a neighborhood that cared for one another. My summers were spent attending the neighborhood vacation bible schools and participating in community talent shows. I love music, and I love to dance. I’m a Glynn Academy Class of 1979 graduate, voted most talented and the Homecoming Queen for my senior class. Playing in the marching band and serving as Drum Major was the highlight of my youth; it helped me to be creative and appreciate the life which has unfolded for me.

For Brunswick resident Jennifer Rothe play isn’t just important for physical health.
“Being active creates endorphins, which produces a natural high and releases stress and anxiety,” she said. “The body, mind connection is so strong. Physical activity can help reduce depression symptoms.”

Although she had been active growing up as a runner and dancer, exercise took on a much greater importance for her in 2007. “Going to the gym was my outlet to relieve stress when my husband Kirt was deployed to Afghanistan,” said Jennifer, who was left behind to care for the couple’s young children. “It was a scary time. Going to the gym was definitely my solstice.”

Emily Ellison is a self-confessed workaholic, who admits she needs to spend more time participating in her favorite pastimes, nearly all of which are outdoors: gardening, hiking, biking, golfing, and kayaking. Happiest on long walks through forests and countrysides, Emily is a perfect fit with her job title: St. Simons Land Trust Development and Communications Director.

Emily, what is your life’s motto?
Make each corner of the world a little better than the way you found it. It’s something my parents did unconsciously. They transformed landscapes, planted gardens, rescued old houses, and improved communities. As a family we camped and hiked along stony creeks, loved the smell of earth and forest. It’s in my blood. If through my role at the Land Trust I can help in some small way to protect this island, I’m fulfilled.

From New York City to St. Simons Island…Hilary Kent is an unstoppable Force of Nature, full of energy and passion for her family, career and our community. Hilary knows what she likes, and fortunately for us, she really likes Paisley Magazine! We asked her about her inspired lifestyle:

How has being involved with Paisley Magazine empowered you?
I’ve always believed in the importance of a community for women, and Paisley Magazine has created the space where women of all ages find support, encouragement and empowerment on every page. Just ask my daughter, Katherine, who was Paisley’s 2017 Summer Intern!

Long before Linda Humphries became the director of the McIntosh Art Association, her pursuit of an art career was sparked by a movie set ‘in a galaxy far, far away.’ “I already knew I wanted to be an artist.”

“My very talented artist sister, Martha, would sit and draw, so I’d sit and draw with her. At that time, I was 12 and becoming a commercial artist was what people talked for a career in art,” said Linda. “Then, Star Wars changed my life. As soon as that type disappeared into space and took on the blue of the Tatooine planet, I was mesmerized.” I wasn’t sure what it was, but I knew it was the art I wanted to do.”

Frances Zwenig’s life changed overnight when she was in the 10th grade. Her path became crystal clear once she saw President John F. Kennedy’s famous speech on TV. “I swallowed his words hook, line and sinker: ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,’” she smiled. “When he announced about forming the Peace Corps, I said I’m going to do that. I planned my life around it.”

The daughter of Sara and Gene Zwenig and big sister to Janet, Frances grew up on Signal Mountain right outside of Chattanooga, Tenn. She fondly recalls her formative years, which were filled with excellent mentors at Chattanooga’s Girls Preparatory School (GPS) and her parental upbringing. “Three women founders organized the school just for girls. The teachers were all women, so we had great role models. My best and closest friends are from GPS to this day. This school prepared me so well, I kind of coasted through college.”

St. Simons Island resident Zena Martin doesn’t have a bucket list. “I don’t believe in having a so-called ‘bucket list,’ or, as one of my friend’s calls it, a ‘champagne list.’ If you really want to do something, don’t wait! Do it now!” This philosophy has guided her all over the world.

Zena, a native of West Hartford, Conn., initially thought she’d attend law school after earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Amherst College. “I was accepted at several (law schools) but decided to enter the corporate world instead. I started in advertising for several global ad agencies, then moved into marketing and public relations.”

Brunswick High School student Carri Sturm, has a full-plate, playing varsity soccer, running cross country and playing tennis on the school’s teams, participating in several campus organizations and taking college courses, all while completing her senior year. Even with a bulging schedule, Carri makes the school’s peer tutoring program a priority.

“When I was a sophomore, a senior started the tutoring program. I was involved in it (as a tutor), but it dissolved the next year. I re-started it!” Carri said. Now she and seven other students tutor their peers who need some help. “We tutor in all subjects,” she said, adding she tutors in Spanish and English. “We also added tutoring for ESL (English as a second language) students. I made sure all volunteers tutoring our ESL students are bilingual.”

“It is kind of like my baby. I enjoy having an impact on those who might not have other resources. And, a lot of our tutors have become friends with students they are tutoring. It’s very rewarding,” she smiled.

Kris Allred is the dynamic Chief Meteorologist at WSAV in Savannah, Ga. For 11-plus years she has gained respect with viewers in Georgia and South Carolina for her professional integrity and candor. She is an excellent storyteller and a natural at public speaking. Also known as a good adlibber, Kris easily adjusts her narratives to meet audience levels. Most of all, she is a thankful woman who realizes the importance of the job she does. Yes, Kris and her Storm Team 3 at WSAV save lives.

While growing up in Cullman, Alabama, a town situated between Huntsville and Birmingham, Kris developed excellent childhood communication skills by learning to relate to all kinds of people from across the USA who paused to refresh and refuel at her family’s truck stop.

“I am a survivor of domestic violence. Like so many victims and survivors, I began my relationship with my abuser at a young age. I was 16. I married him shortly before my 17th birthday. He was 21. There were many warning signs throughout the relationship, but I minimized them, always making excuses that things would get better. But things didn’t get better, and I realized this after leaving and going back numerous times. Many asked, “Why did you keep going back?’ The reality was, I knew one day he was going to kill me. After idealizing the thought of killing myself and actually attempting to, I found the courage to leave and not go back.

We hear you, Charmaine, loud and clear. You have followed your heart. We thank you for sharing your story. Please describe for us your situation: Well, even though he is in a wheelchair and paralyzed from the waist down, my ex-husband was not wheelchair bound when we started dating. So, the abuse started before the car accident, which resulted in his paralysis. There was lots of physical and emotional abuse, with more physical prevalence. It started out as a push here and there, then progressed to slaps, close fisted hits, and beatings. There were also threats of hurting my family.

From a very early age, Iris Hopgood knew she wanted to be a professional makeup artist. But first she had to overcome some major obstacles.

“Our society is beauty driven and my mission is to find that beauty and bring it out in everybody,” she said with a smile. “My mother was my main influence. No matter what she was doing or what was going on, she was dressed up. And she made sure we (Iris and siblings) were all well-groomed before we left the house. If we didn’t meet Mother’s standards, we had to turn around and try again!”

Sisters Adgate and Merrill along with their brother, Ewell Gay, grew up in Ohio. Their parents were both from Atlanta, so they contend: “We definitely grew up Southern.” Every summer, and most holidays, they would visit their grandmother, who lived on Sea Island. In 1974, Ewell moved to St. Simons Island to open The Pappagallo Patch, now known as Maggie’s Boutique.

Adgate and her husband, Dargan, moved here permanently in 2009. They have three children and five grandchildren. Merrill and her husband, David, also moved here in 2009. They have three daughters and two grandchildren. With Ewell’s passing last spring, his daughter, Laurie Hill from Savannah and Adgate now own Maggie’s; Merrill is store manager. It’s certainly a family affair and after 45 years, they plan to keep it going.

Dr. Bell, you are a woman of true strength and conviction, what’s your background?
I grew up here in Brunswick, the Class of 1976 from Glynn Academy. I enjoyed a 30-year legal field career in Washington, DC, and Maryland. During that season of my life, I was married 25 years to Carlton Bell and have a 24-year old son. I was ordained as a minister in 2007 and attended Calvary Christian College in Maryland, obtaining my doctorate degree in Ministry in 2016. In the Spring of 2003, I started SLS Ministries, Inc., which is a nonprofit for women and children to assist in emergency shelter for homelessness, hunger and domestic violence.  I was quite busy raising my family, working, running SLS Ministries and pursuing my theological degrees. 

According to Devereaux “Devy” Eyler, her life has been nothing short of a wild rollercoaster ride, but she isn’t complaining. “God gave me a gift. I never give up no matter how bad things get. I always find a way within myself to overcome adversity.”

That gift has served her well. For the first 70 years of her now 81 on earth, Devy knew her parents, a Harvard-educated research chemist father and a Columbia Law School-educated mother, who adopted her as a sickly newborn and provided her and her adopted brother, Dennis, with a privileged life on a sprawling historic Pennsylvania farm. The siblings were instilled with the values of hard work and humility.