Staff & Session

Secretary: Helen Hughes
Helen Hughes began her employment as Fondren's Church Secretary in October 1997, after retiring from the Mississippi Employment Security Commission. A native of Jackson, Helen and husband Larry live in Byram. They have one son, Johnny, who graduated from Mississippi State University in 2005. Helen and Larry are active members of First Baptist Church of Byram where Helen sings in the choir and Larry is a deacon. In her spare time, Helen loves to work in the yard and spend time with her family.

Director of Christian Education: Shannon Sistrunk
Shannon Sistrunk graduated from Mississippi College with a Master of Science in Applied Communication. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Louisiana Tech University. Shannon worked for United Methodist churches in Texas as Director of Student Ministries and Director of Student Music Ministry.

Shannon brings a wealth of other experience to this position, from martial arts to website creation and maintenance and lots of stuff in between, including music, drama, liturgical dance, handbells, and organizing trips, camps, and festivals. She is excited about helping Fondren’s Christian education program flourish. Shannon is married to Chris Sistrunk. They are the parents of two children, Cece and J.T.

Accountant: Dee Stallings
Dee Stallings has over thirty years' experience in both audit and tax with specialization in designing and implementing business accounting systems for a wide range of business entities including real estate developers, building contractors, medical practitioners, wholesale and retail establishments, and church and other non-profit organizations. She manages the accounting services department for Harper, Rains, Knight, & Company P.A., a local certified public accounting firm. She is a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants, and The Central Chapter of Certified Public Accountants. Dee is assisted by her daughter, Fran Peacock, a second generation CPA. They have been accounting for Fondren Presbyterian Church since August 1998.

Music Director: Nell Adams
Nell Adams, mezzo-soprano, teaches voice and related subjects as Associate Professor at Mississippi College where she has been a faculty member since 1992. A native of Amelia Island, Florida, she holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Music Education from William Carey College, a Master of Music degree in Vocal Pedagogy from Mississippi College, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from The University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to her position at Mississippi College, Nell taught for seventeen years at Clarke College. She holds membership in the Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. A Clinton resident, Nell has two daughters and two grandchildren.

Organist and Assistant Choir Director: Judy Sclater
Judy Sclater recently celebrated her twentieth year as organist at Fondren. She attends the Montreat Conference on Music and Worship each year and often participates in the organ master class there. She is a Certified Church Musician in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., an active member of the local American Guild of Organists chapter, and a volunteer in the Adopt-a-School program. In 2007 Judy retired from Hinds Community College where she taught organ, piano, music literature, and music appreciation. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Music in organ from The University of Michigan. A native of Columbia, Mississippi, Judy is married to James Sclater, composer and Professor of Music at Mississippi College. They are the parents of Patricia Sclater of Kansas City, Missouri.

Session

Clerk of Session 2010-2011: Reed Branson
Class of 2011: Alex Alston, Joyce Dortch, Luke Nealey, and Jan Taylor
Class of 2012: Susan Carson, Joanna Gomez, Tim McKey, and Bill Miller
Class of 2013: Reed Branson, Richard "Cardy" Miller, Lynda Lesley, Susan Murphy and Diane Setzer
Class of 2014: Inez Dunlap, Cynthia McCraw, Clint Moody, Matt Morgan, Austin Wilson