What makes a woman marvelous?
All kinds of things, of course, from grand accomplishments to the smallest kindnesses. We look for stories about women who inspire others to get out and do the things they’ve always wanted to do, to create the life they want. We get so many story ideas about marvelous women in Arkansas that we invited readers to send in their own essays about the marvelous women they know.
Marvelous, indeed.
By Brenda Allen
Charisse Childers
Meet Dr. Charisse Childers, a Blytheville native with a pretty smile and a vision to do great things in Arkansas. I was fortunate to meet Charisse nearly 20 years ago now, when she married my husband’s friend and business partner, Marvin Childers. They now reside in Little Rock, where Charisse serves as the executive director of Accelerate Arkansas, and Marvin is the president of the Poultry Federation.
I met with Charisse in her Florida home recently at Rosemary Beach, a place where she and Marvin love to get away from their extremely busy lives in Arkansas. Charisse says they enjoy quiet time together there but often get to visit with friends as well. Actually, Charisse says her favorite way to relax is simply visiting with friends, regardless of the location.
Charisse has spent all of her life in Arkansas and has a passion to make a difference in the lives of other Arkansans. Her experiences, knowledge, and unwavering enthusiasm are demonstrated in all of her endeavors—and most people would say there isn’t anything she can’t do.
After graduating from Blytheville High School, Charisse worked her way through college at Arkansas State University, earning a bachelor of science degree in business in 1988. She quickly realized that she wanted to continue her education, because that would be the vehicle that would open greater opportunities in countless ways. She later earned a master’s and specialist degree from Arkansas State University, then as a 42-year-old non-traditional student, she earned a doctorate of philosophy in public policy from the University of Arkansas.
Charisse’s career really began in secondary and postsecondary education, allowing her an opportunity to work with students and demonstrate the importance of education. In addition to serving on a national education board and being recognized for her exemplary work in postsecondary education, she has written and administered federal, state, and local grants, and has been a federal grant reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education.
Now, as the executive director of Accelerate Arkansas, an 80-member statewide group of business and education leaders dedicated to knowledge-based economic development in the state of Arkansas, Charisse continues to work with leaders around the state on education and economic development policy and programs. There’s no doubt that Charisse is extremely goal oriented and career driven given the position she holds with Accelerate Arkansas, but she says she could be a lot of fun if given the opportunity. l learned that she loves to sing, took vocal lessons years ago, and has always had a secret desire to use her vocal talent to sing someday with a band or in a musical.
A few years ago, Charisse was fortunate to be appointed to the Arkansas State Police Commission, where she served seven years and is currently the vice chairman of the Arkansas State Police Foundation. She has been a finalist and received two nominations as non-profit executive of the year by Arkansas Business. She spreads her time by serving as vice president of the Arkansas State Alumni Association and is a member of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority Science Advisory Committee, the EAST Initiative Advisory Council, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, and Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. Sounds like she is asked often for advice? You bet! When I asked Charisse for the best advice was she had ever been given, she said “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life!”
I am happy to share that most recently, Charisse has been recognized by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation as one of 40 non-profit leaders in the state and will be featured in the publications that celebrate the 40th anniversary of the foundation and the The Year of the Nonprofit Leader. The foundation is honoring those whose accomplishments and strong leadership exemplify the legacy of Governor Rockefeller, and who are contributing to moving the needle in Arkansas.
Bravo Charisse! It is a pleasure to share the accomplishments of a true Marvelous woman in the state of Arkansas—a place we all call “home.”
Marydell Ponce
How does one describe Marydell Ponce? That’s very hard to do as it’s impossible to put her in a box. Her knowledge of life and nature allow for her free spirit to be in bloom most of the time. She possesses skills we imagine only a seasoned frontiers-woman of bygone times to have.
Marydell moved from Irving, Texas to a remote area around Bruno in Marion County in 1979 with a husband and two sons. Being true hippies, they wanted to move to the back woods of Arkansas. Later, as a single mom, she bought a house and land off Highway 14 and named her road “Bumpy Lane.” So Marydell!
Her work career has been as varied and multifaceted as she is. She started working as a seamstress for White River Industries and is still employed there, even though the purpose of the company has changed. Over her nearly 20 years with the company she held many positions, attesting to her people skills, management know-how, artistic sense, hard work, and a high level of commitment to get things done. She has been instructor, sewing supervisor, plant manager, buyer, sales rep, and clown at parties, in full costume.
Her career changed 17 years ago after WRI quit manufacturing in the U.S. She became an integral part of the Peitz household by overseeing our home, yard, rentals, and much, much more. Peter says Ms. M, as he calls her, is a true blessing in his life. “We have worked together on practically every project over 17 years and are so used to each other’s way that while much is being said when we work, nothing or very little needs to be said. She anticipates my every step.”
She truly is the “face” of Cotter. Everyone knows Marydell! You can see her flitting around town, supervising properties on the mule we affectionately call “the blue goose.” She’s a rare bird—hardworking to her own detriment. Ask her to do anything and she willingly says “yes” and manages to get it done.
We three—Marydell, Peter and I—are a team and work well together. No one tries to outshine the other and our common goal is harmony. She is a true friend—loyal, honest, and trustworthy. She also has a delightful sense of humor. Can she ever tell stories, and what a memory!
In the final weeks of Marydell’s mother’s fight with cancer, Marydell stayed with her in Texas and gave her comfort and care. After her mother died, she moved her father from Texas to her home, and for seven and one-half years she was the primary caregiver for her quadriplegic father, Bob Chaison. No one could have taken better care of a loved one than she. During the majority of those years, she continued to work full time and managed his care after her long day (plus driving 45 minutes to and from). As his condition required more time, she got daytime help so she could have quality time with her dad in the evenings and on weekends. We’d hear about their lively discussions and Scrabble games.
What a grandmother she is! She dotes on her grandchildren. One can only imagine how fortunate the grands are to visit grandma, who is quite artistic, loves to garden—both flowers and food—and is an accomplished cook (even fries elderflowers!). She comes by the gardening naturally as her grandmother and mother instilled this interest in her at a young age.
This doesn’t begin to cover the depth of Marydell. However, she’s truly “Marvelous Marydell.” Everyone should be so fortunate to have a Marydell in their life.
By Amanda Principato
Sarah Knight
Sarah Knight is a super hero in my eyes. After giving birth their son, Clark, she and her husband, Chris, took on a whole new life. Caring for a special needs child demands true selflessness, a love that knows no boundaries, and a heart as big as the ocean. Without a doubt, Sarah is the epitome of those qualities and so much more.
I have witnessed Sarah play advocate for her son in a medical community that does not necessarily welcome total involvement from parents. Clark recently spent several months in Arkansas Children’s Hospital after a severe bout of pneumonia that almost took his life. Sarah insisted on participating in every step of Clark’s care. Many parents would let aides bathe their child, change his diapers, perform his feedings. Sarah was very determined to stay in control of Clark’s health care and took on those tasks herself. Since they have returned home, she is attached to his side and loves him through every treatment, challenge, and moment of his new way of life. Once again, she is adapting to rarely ever leaving her home since Clark’s care requires his parents’ full attention.
As a friend, there is no better way to describe Sarah than thoughtful, loving, and genuine. Her smile can light up a room and her sense of humor is amazing, despite her circumstances. She is grounded and able to give perspective on most any problems that I might have, and I seek her counsel on all of my issues. Sarah is a true girlfriend who is there for her friends no matter what crazy subject is brought up!
As a professional, Sarah is one of the most intelligent and intuitive persons in her field. Even while Clark was in the hospital, she was able to work while he slept to maintain her job. Her amazing marketing and public relations skills are put to good use at Dr. Adam Newman’s office.
Sarah continues to put her heart on the line each day as she cares for Clark. She balances her roles as caregiver, professional, wife, homemaker, and friend with passion and determination. Sarah is truly beautiful inside and out.
By Nick Goodrich
Jackie Hanlon
There aren’t many people in the health care field who do not know who Jackie Hanlon is. Since my first venture into the durable medical equipment business, I heard her name mentioned as I visited with the “gate keepers” at physician’s offices, at the hospital where I spoke to therapists and caregivers, and even at the various divisions outside of the hospital (hospice, cancer house, etc).
All of the people I spoke to had had some exposure to the wide smile and the infectious laugh that identify Jackie. Everywhere she goes you will find a gathering of health care professionals asking her advice, or for her assistance in helping a patient procure an appliance for their home, or a mobility aide. Jackie has developed a knowledge of home care and hospice-related services that exceeds the best-trained minds in the area. She fields calls from our competitors as well as professionals regarding the services and products that are available to ensure the best quality of care for everyone.
Jackie has worked exclusively for Best Medical for many years, coming to us from Baxter Healthcare. She has been our primary marketer for years, and presently acts as the office manager while performing the tasks of personnel, payroll, administration, and purchasing. Wearing many hats keeps Jackie very busy, but loving the job and loving the interaction with patients and patient care givers makes it all worthwhile.
By George Lawrence
Judy Lawrence
As I have read about the amazing women featured in Marvelous! Magazine over the past several years, one person has come to mind repeatedly—Judy Lawrence. Everyone has a unique story, some achieve great success, some overcome great tragedy, and some show amazing perseverance. Judy’s story isn’t about a single event or one defining moment, but it is about the totality of the woman she is. She is a teacher, wife, and mother, and does it all with what seems to be effortless consistency. I can’t tell you the number of women who have made comments about how none of their peers seems to be able to do all Judy does with such grace and ease. Many of those women have been featured in this publication.
Born in Little Rock, Judy moved to Mountain Home with her parents and older sister before kindergarten. Her parents, Boyce and Pat, both teachers in the Mountain Home school district, are responsible for her love of teaching and her unending ability to organize (and I mean organize anything!). After graduation from MHHS as valedictorian, Judy went to UCA in Conway. There she earned a perfect 4.0 in four years, leaving with a degree in childhood education. She married after college, and four years later returned to Mountain Home with a daughter and the start of the family she had always dreamed of.
We all have dreams: Judy is no different. Her lifetime goals and aspirations, though not always recognized as lofty, are the highest goals possible: that of raising a loving family. Ever since she was a little girl Judy wanted to have children and pour herself into them, and that is just what she has done. She put her career on hold to be at home with Anna Claire, Whit, and Ty. But when they entered school, Judy needed something to do with herself because she could do all she had to at home in about two hours! This led Judy to a few years of looking at alternative careers before returning to her “sweet spot” of teaching.
Now with her children ages 14, 12, and 10, she enters her fourth year as a third-grade teacher here in Mountain Home. It’s there you see the subtleties that set Judy apart. In the midst of six runs of picking up and dropping off kids from practices and school, doing lesson plans, and cooking dinner, Judy seems to thrive. I wish I could see the nods of all the people who know her and are reading this now. She is somehow able to simultaneously counsel with a friend whose marriage is struggling, meet another to help redecorate their living room, and text pictures of outfits with someone else to help them get ready for vacation. And all the while people are asking how does she do all that and keep her house and herself looking so great?!
Judy, a beautiful woman, maintains that beauty physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. She is a woman who knows the essence of true womanhood is her character, not simply her appearance. Judy Lawrence: a marvelous woman? That’s only the beginning.
By Martha Sanford
Jana Barnes
We all have a personal notion of what makes someone marvelous. Maybe it’s someone’s personality, poise, their talents, sometimes it’s just the whole of who they are and what they believe in. I know a woman who I perceive to be marvelous. She’s a wife, mother, nurse, counselor, talented musician, athlete, chef, and I call her friend. Her name is Jana Barnes.
Jana has been married to her husband, Lewis, for 42 years. They are the proud parents of three successful adult children, and are “Nana” and “PeePaw” to eight grandchildren that range in age from 22 to 3. Most people love her as “Nurse Jana.” She worked as a nurse at Kerr Medical Clinic for 34 years before she retired in 2013. Jana loves taking care of people, making them feel better, physically and mentally. It was common for her to bake a loaf of strawberry bread or homemade cinnamon rolls for her special patients when they were feeling under the weather. She always made people feel so special and like they were the only sick people on the planet.
Some have become acquainted with Jana on early morning jogs at Cooper Park. Jana logs five miles a day at least six days a week, and has for the past 20 years. Her 5:30 a.m. jog is a little later now that she’s retired, but she doesn’t miss!! You really can’t know her very well and not know that she is a wonderful cook. She bakes breads, pies, and cakes for all her grandchildren’s birthdays, and special cookies around the holidays. I sometimes think she enjoys feeding people because at her size, she surely isn’t eating them.
Last, but certainly not least, is her marvelous musical talent. Jana can literally play anything she hears on the piano, and doesn’t read a note of music. She has never had any formal music training—it comes from the heart. She puts her talent to the best use at Twin Lakes Baptist Church where she plays on occasion, and also accompanies her daughter now and then, if you can talk them into it.
During her years in nursing, she grew interested in natural hormone replacement therapy. At first it was for her own health, but the more she learned, the more she believed she could help other women. She studied and has become an expert in her field. She is currently training to be a life coach and has a local office where she does consultation for women interested in natural hormone replacement therapy. You can find her at 502 South College.
All of these things make Jana marvelous. She has the kindness and patience you just don’t find. She is that woman described in Proverbs 31. She loves the Lord, adores her family, and has a faithful work ethic. She is a TRUE LADY and I am honored to call Jana Barnes my friend.
By Jeff Quick
Jamie Stringfellow
Jamie Stringfellow is a marvelous woman in so many ways. She is a mother of two, grandmother of two, and friend to countless others; including those less fortunate in the Twin Lakes Area and across the state. Jamie is employed by Entergy Arkansas as a customer service representative and currently serves as the chairperson of the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas’ board of directors, where she has been an active member since 2011. Through her work with Entergy Arkansas, Jamie has led the statewide Low Income Customer Service Initiative, and serves as a certified facilitator for the Poverty Simulation, and as a certified trainer for Bridges Out of Poverty. She was a key leader in establishing the only statewide fuel fund in our region, the Arkansas Energy Network. This organization provides tools and resources to help the elderly and disabled with utility bill payment assistance.
Locally, she’s worked diligently to develop and implement programs and resources to assist area residents. Her work with the food bank’s ACCESS Poverty Consortium has included leading poverty simulations locally and on Capitol Hill, serving as chairperson of the consortium, and providing leadership with Bridges Out of Poverty, Ready 2 Work, and Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World.
“Jamie genuinely cares for people, the ones she knows, and many she doesn’t and will likely never meet personally!” says Paulette Hill, former executive director of Serenity, Inc. “She constantly searches for ways to improve the lives of those in need through selfless, courageous, and compassionate acts. Our community is blessed to have this marvelous woman quietly going about making a difference in people’s lives every day! I am privileged to work alongside this most marvelous woman as a colleague and blessed that she is my friend!”
Jamie’s impact on our community has long been realized by those of us who work closely with her, but recently she received recognition as one of Forbe’s Magazine’s Heroes of the 500 for her work to alleviate hunger and poverty. Jamie understands the importance of individuals identifying and reaching for their goals, and has led the food bank in a direction that offers a focus on employment and life skills in addition to the emergency food relief the organization is best known for. In addition, Jamie is a member of the Mountain Home Rotary Club, and has volunteered with the Focus Mountain Home program for the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce.
It’s an honor to work with someone who gives so unconditionally of her time and resources. For example, my meeting with Jamie today was cut a few minutes short. As we walked to the parking lot, she apologized while she shared that her next meeting was to help a young person in our community obtain health insurance. I’m not sure how their paths had crossed, but I’m confident that Jamie went above and beyond to offer her assistance.
By Lori Gregory
Natalie Slusser
It was about 10 p.m. and Natalie Bradley Slusser, wife and mother of three, was just about to settle in for the night. It had been a long day at the Gamma House, a local transitional housing shelter for homeless women and their children, and she was ready for some down time. The phone rang. It was a Gamma House resident calling to let her know that one of the girls living in the house had been transported to the hospital.
Natalie’s job as director of the Gamma House pays as a part-time position, but most weeks she ends up working well over 40 hours, and still gets paid for 20. Feeling compelled to do so, she drove to the hospital to see about her resident. At the hospital she discerned that the young lady’s two small children were unaccounted for, and Natalie began to make phone calls to make sure they were in good care. By the time she arrived at the house where the children had been left, the police had arrived and the Department of Human Services was on the scene.
Both kids were scared to death and clung to Natalie, begging her, “please don’t make me go with them.” Natalie stayed there with the children until well after midnight, and by that time both kids had fallen asleep. At that time she was told by officers they could not let her take the children without parental consent. Their mom was unable to communicate, so Natalie had to leave them, and it was the last thing she wanted to do. She cried all the way home, and the next morning, bright and early, she began filing to take personal custody of both children.
In a matter of a few days, Natalie welcomed both children into her already overcrowded home, and they lived with the Slussers for months until a wonderful permanent foster care family was ready for them. Natalie still keeps the children over weekends, keeps up with their activities, and they are doing great.
One morning Natalie was in her office when she was alerted that one very pregnant resident needed a lift to the hospital. This was the woman’s second child, but she was still quite anxious and asked Natalie when they arrived at Baxter Regional Medical Center if she would go in with her. Natalie agreed and headed to the Women’s Center with her. When they got into the room, the mother asked Natalie if she would stay for a little bit. Before long it was time for the baby to arrive. Once again, she asked Natalie to stay. When the baby arrived, mom asked Natalie to cut the cord, and once again, Natalie agreed. Definitely above and beyond the call of duty.
These are only two of so many stories that help you understand what kind of person Natalie Bradley Slusser is. Not to mention her creative talents, including an amazing singing voice, her non-judgmental ways, her never-give-up attitude, her ability to see the good in all, her hard work ethic, her great love and support for her husband and kids. Marvelous? Absolutely!
By Paige Evans
Mary Ann Dillard
Marvelous Lady. Brave Warrior. To describe my mom, Mary Ann Dillard, seems an impossible task. The depth of her very being exceeds even the words gathered in my head. To all who know her she is marvelous!
She is a philanthropist of her own kind. She goes about doing good and helping others in uncommon ways. She is a survivor of life threatening illnesses. She is a caregiver to many in our family as they have battled their own health issues. She is a friend to whoever needs one at the time. She is our teacher, full of wisdom and knowledge. She is a rich source of love and care for our family during difficult times, and the very first to plan a gathering to celebrate.
Having been told at the young age of 30 that she would more than likely not see my brother and me graduate, she persevered, and as she will tell you herself, “With God all things are possible.” With those words on her lips, she watched us receive our diplomas, then enjoyed watching grandchildren born, and most recently, she saw her first grandchild receive his high school diploma. With the determination and zeal for life she possesses, there is no doubt she will be there to watch her remaining three grandchildren graduate.
She has held the hand of the dying. She has nursed the sick back to health. She has been there to hold her grandchildren at their births. She has loved when loving was the only answer. She has carried the burden of others when the weight was too heavy for them to bear. With not one ounce of desire to be known as anything other than mom to my brother and me, and wife to dad, she has served with a heart filled with compassion.
There is no doubt that my mom, Mary Ann Dillard, is the epitome of a marvelous woman! She has faced a great number of battles in her life, with a brave heart. She is best known as a loving lady. She exudes love and care to those who know her, and a timeless beauty in every way. Being a lady comes naturally to her. What a joy to answer to anyone who asks, “She is my mom.” And now I will be happy to add, “Isn’t she marvelous!”
Submitted by Ann Qualls
Renae Schocke
Many of us have felt the warm smile and pleasant friendliness of Renae Schocke. Some of us have experienced her efficiency while working with her on various boards and programs throughout the Twin Lakes Area. But how did we become so fortunate to have her as our friend?
Born in Franford, Indiana, Renae grew up on a farm and was active in the 4-H Club. When she was a teenager, her family moved to Oklahoma, where Renae finished high school. She began working for Southwestern Bell shortly after graduating, starting off as a directory assistance operator, and transferring to the mailroom so she could attend college. She worked long hours on weekends so she could attend classes during the week.
Renae graduated from Central Oklahoma State with a degree in computer science. Before graduating, she was promoted to a first line manager and then promoted many more times while earning her master’s degree in business administration in 1997 from Washington University in St. Louis. During her career, Renae moved up through several key positions in Oklahoma, Kansas, and St. Louis. She had a key leadership role in the merger of SBC Communications, Southwestern Bell, BellSouth, Pacific Telesis, Ameritech, and AT&T into one company—AT&T.
After a successful career culminating as executive director of systems and applications architecture for AT&T, Renae retired to the Mountain Home area. She now devotes a lot of her time to fundraising for local charitable organizations and is on the board of directors of the Mountain Home Women’s Bowling League, the Lions Club, Ozark Regional Arts Council, and Mountain Home Business and Professional Women (BPW).
Renae established Cruise Planners in December of 2011 and has been assisting local travelers with their travel plans and arrangements since that time. She enjoys spending time on the lake, camping, cooking indoors and out, and challenging bootcamp-style workouts. She runs in road races and has completed two half-marathon events.
Renae loves to travel and cruise on a world-wide basis, often taking advantage of some of the more attractive venues offered through her own company. She lives on an 11-acre estate with her four dogs and three cats. She is also the keeper of a ground hog that took up residence on her place.
We are proud and fortunate to have Renae Schocke with us here in the area. She is a jewel and an asset to every organization she belongs to.
Submitted by Kay Peitz
Robin Hawkins
Robin Hawkins believes her guardian angel was at work when her former husband, a surgeon, was recruited to be part of the vision that became Baxter Regional Medical Center by a pathologist from Marshall, Arkansas they had met at the naval air station in Corpus Christi. The year was 1975, and Robin, who grew up in Japan, England, Germany, Florida, and Texas, the daughter of a U.S. Air Force pilot, was a bit concerned about living in one place for the rest of her life. And she was truly concerned about just how small Mountain Home really was.
Karen Blackburn, now Karen (Mrs. Sam) Clark, took her around the square and introduced her to every single proprietor, and by the end of the day, Robin was in love with the small town. Freddie and Charlie Blackburn took the family, including 6-year-old Jennifer, to Gaston’s, and found them a home in the country with room for horses and anything else they wanted to raise. To this day, she believes she was meant to be here.
Robin graduated from Florida State University in 1966 with a degree in human resource management, but had the heart of a humanities major, loving literature and art in all forms. Introduced to tole painting while in Corpus Christi, she became a Priscilla Hauser certified tole and decorative painting teacher after training with Priscilla in Tulsa. Along with Barbara House, owner of Barbara’s Creative Corner, she taught classes at the shop for a few years.
Robin began her broadcast communications career with TV-43, a low-power station, where she was an advertising account exec and ran the cameras for the 6 p.m. news and Mountain Home High School football and basketball games. When the station closed, she started her current career of nearly 30 years with KTLO. Now like family, the KTLO crew provided comfort and support during her bout with mandibular lymphoma in 2013.
Robin has always found time to be involved in civic affairs. Throughout her years here she has served as president of Club Cosmopolitan, the Baxter County Board of the American Cancer Society, the North Arkansas Council for the Arts, Mountain Home Business and Professional Women, and the Mountain Home Lions Club.
She also served on the board of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, was an AR/BPW Individual Development Speak-Off Winner, AR/BPW ID Chair, and was honored to be selected as a MH/BPW Woman of the Year, MH/Lions Club Woman of the Year, and Dalstrom Award recipient. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Peitz Cancer Support House and its “Paws for the Cause” calendar committee. (Watch for it—coming soon!)
While her life didn’t turn out the way Robin thought it would, the town and our remarkable hospital did live up to the dream, and provided the specialized care she needed right here in her Mountain Home!
Robin shares this wonderful philosophy with us: “Life is good, and there is always, always, always something to be thankful for!” She firmly believes that life is 10% about what happens to you and 90% about how you handle it. M! October/November 2014
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