Reverend Bobby Ellisor
Senior Pastor
Reverend Bobby Ellisor is the son, grandson and great-grandson of Methodist pastors. He was raised in Mobile, AL and in the Methodist Church. Prior to coming to Brewton First United Methodist Church, Rev. Ellisor served as Senior Pastor of Prattville First United Methodist Church in Prattville, AL. Rev. Ellisor has served as the Senior Pastor of Gadsden Street United Methodist Church in Pensacola, FL, Trinity United Methodist Church in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, St. Paul United Methodist Church in Gulf Breeze, FL, Alaqua United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church both in DeFuniak Springs, FL. It is while serving these churches that Rev. Ellisor received the Annual Conference Denman Evangelism Award. He has served on both district and conference levels including the Pensacola District Committee on Ministry and 4 years as the Chairperson for the Conference Board of Worship and Evangelism. Rev. Ellisor currently serves on the Bay Pines District Trustees Committee. Rev. Ellisor graduated from Troy University with a Double Major in Psychology and Sociology. His post graduate work was done at Emory University where he received a Master of Divinity Degree from Candler School of Theology. Rev. Ellisor is married to Faith and they have 3 sons (Justin, Taylor & Matthew), 2 grandsons (Colby & Liam), 1 dog (Bentley) and 1 cat (Emma). In his spare time Rev. Ellisor enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.
Connie Wilkes
Choir Director
Connie has served as interim Choir Director since 1998 and directed hand bells for 16 years. She began singing in the choir at the age of four and joined the band when she was eleven years old. Connie is a Music Graduate from Troy University where she was a member of "The Sound of the South" Marching Band. Her other musical involvements included the Symphonic Band, Concert Bands, Opera Orchestra and Collegiate Singers. She joined Ashland United Methodist Church where she subsequently became Choir Director in 1985. Along with her responsibilities as Choir Director of Brewton FIrst United Methodist Church, Connie is the Band Director of Jay High School in Jay, FL. Connie has 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 1 cat.
Brittany Fuqua
Contemporary Music Director
Brittany is originally from Knoxville, TN where she attended the University of Tennessee. She has served in praise and worship in some capacity since she was seventeen years old. She is married to Randy and is mom to two girls, Charlotte and Aubrey.
Ashley Byrd
Director of Children's Ministries
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My name is Ashley Byrd. I am 36 years old. Me and my husband, Brandon, have been married for 15 years. Together we have 3 rambunctious boys; Sam, Joel, and Nate. I grew up playing the piano and singing in my local church and have always been an active member volunteering in numerous capacities throughout adulthood at many local churches. I graduated from Flomaton High School and obtained my A.A. degree in business administration at Jefferson Davis Community College. From there I went on to study religion, youth ministry, and music at the University of Mobile where I also was a member of the University of Mobile Choir.
I direct the Preschool and Children’s Ministry and provide direction for the spiritual formation of our children. |
Jolene Yuhasz
Office Administrator/Financial Secretary
Jolene joined the Brewton First United Methodist Church in May, 2019. She is an active member of Liberty Baptist Church in Pineview, AL. Jolene and her husband, Shawn, have 2 sons, Mason and Garrett.
Lillie Barksdale
Office Assistant/ Nursery Coordinator
Lillie has served as Nursery Coordinator since 2007. In 2014, Family Ministries Coordinator and Office Assistant was added to her resume. Lillie is an active member of Gateway to Heaven Church. She and her husband, Bennie, have 2 sons, Nehemiah and Christopher, 1 daughter, Angel, and 1 dog, Storme.
Mary Ellen Byron
Pianist
Mary Ellen has served as pianist for Brewton First United Methodist Church since March, 2000. Her love for playing for churches began at the age of twelve. Mary Ellen is the mother of 4 grown children and has 7 grandchildren. Her favorite place to be is working in her flower beds.
Carin Derricks
Church Hostess
Carin is a native of Wisconsin. After moving to Brewton in 1993, she became the Hostess for Brewton First United Methodist Church in 1996. Not only does Carin prepare the Wednesday Night Church Suppers, she also prepares meals for numerous activities sponsored by the church. She and her husband, Bob, have 3 sons: Cory, Trevor and Nash.
Barbara Commander
Organist
Barbara's love for music began with playing the piano from which she transitioned to the organ. Her father, Mercer Comander, owned Comander Funeral Home in Defuniak Springs, FL and frequently needed someone to play for services. While working as a medical technologist for a cardiologist and then at Walton County Hospital, Barbara would find comfort in playing for th funeral services as well as church services across the county. She retired from D.W. McMillan Hospital in 2001 and has previously served as the pianist of St. Maurice Catholic Church.
Linda McEwan
Organist
Linda Mason McEwan began taking organ lessons at the age of 12 and playing for church services at the age of 14. Serving as the organist for Brewton United Methodist Church throughout high school at T.R. Miller, she attended Huntington College to further her love of the instrument. Studying under Dr. Harald Rohlig, Barbara served as the organist for St. Luke United Methodist Church in Montgomery, AL during her college years. After graduating from Huntington, Barbara taught school for 37 years, al the while serving as organist in Fort Walton Beach, FL, Victorville, CA (26 years), and back to Brewton in 2006. Linda and her husband, Dick, have been married for 38 years and together share 5 children15 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
David Crook
Custodian
David serves Brewton First United Methodist Church in many capacities and is loved by everyone. He and his wife, Linda, work alongside of each other making sure that the grounds, of both the church and the parsonage, are immaculately kept. His hard work and attention to detail are greatly appreciated.
Debbie Etheridge
Housekeeper
Debbie is a native of Andalusia, AL. She and her family relocated to Brewton in 1995. Debbie is a member of First Baptist of Brewton. She has 1 daughter, Erin and 4 boys, Nick, Tyler, Dylan and Andrew.