Dee is a North Carolina native and grew up in the Garner area. She has been involved in missions since childhood and has a huge heart for serving and equipping others to serve. She spent 18 years in the field of music education, mostly at the elementary level, while volunteering with her local church. Dee received her college degrees from Meredith College and UNC Greensboro. Go Spartans! Dee, her husband, Shawn, and kids Ryne and Clara, have been very involved in Appalachian Coalfields ministry over the last 10 years. They were Appalachian Christmas Outreach representatives in their county, teaching and training local congregations to get involved in the ministry. Dee and Shawn have also done extensive disaster relief training through Baptists on Mission and have served on DR sites in North Carolina and West Virginia. 

They recently planted Township Church in Johnston County, where Shawn serves as lead pastor and Dee as the worship leader. Ryne is passionate about serving in kids ministry and Clara serves on the tech team. They are trying to show their congregation how to “live differently and love differently.”