Meet Our Vestry
The Vestry is the elected parish council. Members of the Vestry are elected by the parish at the Annual Meeting. They must be regular in attendance at worship, Confirmed, and known (only to the Parish Treasurer) as contributors. The Vestry members are legally, financially, and spiritually responsible for the well-being of the parish church.
David Barner
David grew up in McKenney, Virginia and was baptized and confirmed in Asbury Methodist Church. He was an active member of MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) until leaving for Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Upon receiving his BS in Engineering Technology, David worked for Newport News Shipbuilding. After marriage, he and his wife, Dukie, moved to Yorktown, Virginia and became members of Grace Episcopal Church. They had two children, and David took confirmation classes with his son, Mitchell, and joined The Episcopal Church. Upon retiring, David and Dukie moved to Lake Gaston, NC, and became members of All Saints Episcopal Church in 2010.
Tony Fleming - Junior Warden
Tony was brought up in the Disciples of Christ denomination. He and his wife, Marla, have been Episcopalians for over forty years, participating in the Diocese of Virginia and Diocese of Atlanta in large parishes. They live on Lake Gaston, and Tony is happy to bring his experience in construction and insurance to All Saints in service of the vestry and in the work of Junior Warden, leading the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
Jennifer Quinn
Jennifer volunteers in the Parish Office and assists with Zoom and other technology at All Saints. She comes from a military family with a varied experience in Christian formation. She and her husband, Richard, make their home in Roanoke Rapids. They have participated in the life and ministry of All Saints for over a decade. Jennifer brings a diverse experience of culture and people to the vestry, and she shares her talent of organization, simplicity, and orderliness.
Chris Lehman
Chris grew up in Roanoke Rapids and spent his childhood and most of his adult life attending All Saints. Following high school graduation, he attended UNC Chapel Hill. During their time as students, he and Sandy were married at All Saints. They have two grown daughters, both of whom were also married at All Saints. He began serving on the Vestry in the early 1980s and had the honor of being both Junior and Senior Warden over these years. Along with being on the Vestry, other areas of church are working in the church gardens, and serving as a Licensed Worship Leader. His formal education is from UNC Chapel Hill where he received a BS in Pharmacy, Master of Public Health and Doctor of Pharmacy. He has been practicing Pharmacy since 1969, and spent nearly forty years as Director of Pharmacy at ECU Health North Hospital. He and Sandy have been married for nearly 60 years. They enjoy spending time at Bogue Banks, seeing children and grandchildren when possible, and doing yard and garden work at home and at church. They also enjoy time with their standard poodle, Gabriel.
Tawnya Gray
Tawnya grew up in Asheville, NC, and was baptized as an infant and confirmed in the Presbyterian Church. In the 1980’s, she and her family moved to Roanoke Rapids.
Tawnya graduated with an Associate Degree in Medical Secretary and Associate Degree in Executive Secretary. She worked in a Medical Office for nine years and then worked at First United Methodist Church,and as member, for 30 plus years until it’s closing in 2022. She served on several committees and was active in the United Methodist Women, Prayer Ministry, lay ministry, and enjoyed volunteering where needed.
Tawnya is married to Mike Gray. They have one daughter, Christie, who lives in Virginia Beach. They are very excited to welcome a son-in-law on March 30, 2024, when their daughter and her fiancee are married. Tawnya and Mike are very grateful to be a part of All Saints Church family and feel very welcomed.
Bill Searles
Bill enjoyed a successful 23-year career in the investment / financial services industry. Initially working as a securities analyst for two major Wall Street firms (Hayden Stone & Goldman Sachs). Bill then partnered with two associates to offer computer analytics to institutional investors. Out of that experience, he went on to establish specialized research departments for A.G. Becker, Reynolds Securities and Smith Barney. He then spent 10 years with Bear Sterns, as an Associate Director/Limited Partner where he assembled a research group covering the firm's investment banking clients. In 1989, Bill became an independent business consultant and continued his service as a Director of two small public companies, RMS Electronics (AMEX) and VHC, Ltd (NASDAQ). In that same year he joined the Boards of American Physicians Service Group (NASDAQ: AMPH), where he served for 22 years, and Prime Medical Service/Healthtronics (NASDAQ: PMSI/HTRN), where he served for 19 years. He also served for five years on the Board of Probex Corp. (AMEX: PBX). Bill was Chairman of the Board of APS Investment Services, a subsidiary of AMPH for 13 years and Chairman of Uncommon Care Inc. for six years, a private firm in the Alzheimer's field, which was funded in part by AMPH.
Bill & Ellen met 44 years ago and were married at All Saints Episcopal Church in Navesink, NJ and relocated to NC (after 36 years of traveling back and forth) in 2015. They have one son who is married and lives in Arlington, VA.
Edwin Imasuen
Edwin was raised in the Anglican Communion in the Church of Nigeria. He was confirmed at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis in the Diocese of Indiana. He is a polyglot, speaking English, Russian, French, and Spanish. He has advanced degrees in architecture and academics. Dr. Imasuen has served as a vice president at Halifax Community College, and other higher educational institutions. Edwin brings a deep knowledge of the Anglican tradition and Christian faith to the vestry, along with his leadership and organizational skills.
Mike Scott
Mike and his wife, Cathy, have lived in Roanoke Rapids for 29 years and have been members of All Saints since 2008. Their greatest attraction to All Saints is the sense of family and community exhibited by fellow members and worshippers. Having owned and operated two small businesses in Roanoke Rapids over the past 30 years, Mike has gained the invaluable experience of working with people from all parts of life. He hopes that he can contribute to the vestry through his business and community background.
Mike served as Junior Warden, working with buildings and grounds, and he served as Senior Warden, working with the parish priest and vestry, and hopes to continue to support the life and ministry of All Saints through his participation in vestry.
Joanne Parrott
Joanne was born and raised in Halifax County. She graduated from The University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. She was raised in the Baptist tradition. Her son, K.C. & his wife Caitlin live in Leland. Her godson, Jason Wright & his wife, Stephanie, have one son, Paul, and they are the owners of Red Rabbit Coffee in Roanoke Rapids. She worked for the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District for 36 years and is now retired. She joined All Saint’s Episcopal Church in 1996. Joanne served two previous terms on the Vestry at All Saints. She serves on the Altar Guild, Outreach & Pastoral Care, and Worship Committees. She is a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Parish Office Volunteer. Joanne found her religious beliefs affirmed in The Episcopal Church & strives to uphold the Church in return.
Diocesan Leadership from All Saints
Parishioners also serve in leadership roles in the Diocese of North Carolina. In 2024, the following members of All Saints are participating in the life and ministry of our diocese:
Rae Mitchell was elected to serve on the Diocesan Council, which serves as a council of advice and a governing board for our diocese. Rae's background in education and nearly life-long experience in culture and living in eastern North Carolina allow her to represent the northeastern "Rocky Mount Convocation" of the Diocese of North Carolina.
Mary Wellman was elected to serve on the Standing Committee of the Diocese of North Carolina. Her skills as an educator and involvement in the life of the Diocese and of All Saints since her youth provide her with perspective to serve this work in discernment.
Tom Wellman serves on the Foundation of the Diocese of North Carolina. Tom is an experienced attorney, having practiced law in Halifax County for decades and is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association.
Patricia Barnes serves as President of the Church Periodical Club. Her back ground in education and leadership skills and life-long dedication to the Diocese of NC serves her well in this work. She also serves as chair of the local committee for the historic parish of Saint Luke's, Gaston, NC, in Northampton County.
Val Short serves on the Sustainability Committee of the diocese, aiding parishes in grant application completion for diocesan grants, and awarding grants to parishes in our diocese. She shares decades of experience in human resources, non-profits, and grants with this work.
Tony Short serves with Churches Helping Churches to assist church leaders in the diocese with business and financial accountability and reporting. Tony has served as treasurer of All Saints for over fifteen years and has experience in completing parish audits, parochial reports, and other diocesan requirements.
