Our Staff

Don is originally from northwest Georgia and spent the majority of his life before full time ministry somewhere between Dalton, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master of Accountancy degree. After a ten plus year career in finance and accounting, Don answered his call to full time ministry. He graduated from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University with a Master of Divinity degree. Don is married to Heather and they have one son, Wesley.

Stan has been serving as the Director of Recreation and Sr. Adults at FUMC since October 2008 and the OASIS program director since 2011. He has a Bachelors degree in Counseling from Troy University and a Master of Religious Education degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In his spare time he enjoys spending time his lovely wife Tricia, traveling, playing golf, and boating.

After serving ten years as a CEC preschool teacher, Evelyn joined our staff in June 2007. She has a Bachelors Degree in English from West Georgia College. She and her family moved to Blairsville in 1995, and she has three children and 6 grandchildren.

After serving thirty years in health care administration, Deidra joined our staff in 2011. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. She moved here from Mississippi in January 2011 with her husband Tom and a menagerie of pets.

Jeff has served as Music Director at FUMC since 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance and Music Education from Spring Arbor College and Masters of Music degrees in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance from Bowling Green State University. Jeff is also the Director of Choral/Vocal Music at Young Harris College.

Keith earned his Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Shorter College and his Master of Music degree in piano performance and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Music Theory from The Florida State University. Keith also serves as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Young Harris College.

Mason Schuknecht has been a lifelong member of FUMC having come from one of the original merged churches. He has always held an interest in serving the public. He has served through the military, law enforcement, fire department, and is currently a Criminal Investigator with the Georgia Forestry Commission.  He is married to Nicole and together they have four children; Taylor, Reagan, Peyton and Gordon.

Jessica is a native to Blairsville, and has spent over 20 years working in Children’s Ministry. After being the lead teacher in the CEC’s Fours classroom for three years she became Director.  Jessica is married to David Johnson and they have one amazing growing boy, Ezra.

A graduate of the University of Mississippi and the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Rev. Riley served over 40 years in the North Georgia Conference before retiring in 2020. At his last full-time appointment, Mack served St. Andrew UMC in Marietta for 14 years. Since retiring, Rev. Riley has served part-time in the Northeast District. Mack and his wife Jeannine live in Young Harris and have 3 sons, 3 daughters-in-law, and 4 grandchildren.

Rev. Whitley has pastored several churches in northeast Georgia and is retired from the Religion Department at Young Harris College after 30 years. He enjoys working with Habitat for Humanity and other missions projects. He holds a B. A., Emory University, Th. M., Boston University School of Theology, and a M. A. in Biblical Studies, Boston University