Madison724web

724
V104

2 • NOVEMBER 2023

Hometown MADISON • 3

4 BRANDS
1 LOCATION
1685 High Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 354-3882
www.herringear.com
4 • JULY 2024

Hometown MADISON • 5

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Your health is our priority.
With next-generation primary care, we deliver a
personalized & holistic approach to your health.
We address what YOU really need.
Call 877-8-GO-2-BLUE to
schedule an appointment.
401 Baptist Dr. Suite 110
Madison, MS 39110
BlueHealth Baptist is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
@BlueHealthBaptist
www.BlueHealthBaptist.com
6 • JULY 2024

FROM OUR
CONSULTING EDITOR
Madison, Mississippi, a vibrant city known for its community spirit and burgeoning
business scene, has seen a significant rise in the presence and influence of women
in business over recent years.
Traditionally recognized for its Southern charm and welcoming
atmosphere, Madison has also become a beacon of opportunity for
women entrepreneurs and leaders.
In various sectors, from retail to technology, women in Madison are
making their mark. Local businesses such as boutique shops, wellness
centers, and specialty eateries and coffee shops, owned and operated
by women, have not only enriched the local economy but also
diversified the city’s commercial landscape. These enterprises reflect
a commitment to quality, innovation, and community engagement.
In this issue of Hometown Madison, we meet ten women who
have put their own unique stamp on the business cultures they have
created. We congratulate each of them for the valuable contributions
they’ve made to our county, and our lives as a whole.
As Madison continues to grow economically and culturally, the
role of women in business will undoubtedly continue to evolve and
thrive. Their contributions not only enhance the city’s prosperity but
also inspire future generations of women to pursue their entrepreneurial
dreams in this dynamic and supportive community.
Thanks to The Bridal Path for allowing us to use their store as a backdrop for our Women of Business feature.
ACCOUNT
EXECUTIVE
Amy Forsyth
LAYOUT DESIGN
Daniel Thomas
3dt
PUBLISHER
& EDITOR
Tahya Dobbs
HOMETOWN STAFF
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT
Alisha Floyd
STAFF
PHOTOGRAPHER
Othel Anding
CFO
Kevin Dobbs
ADVERTISING
ASSISTANT
Melissa Kennon
STAFF
ASSISTANT
Debby Francis
CONSULTING
EDITOR
Mary Ann Kirby
CONTENT
MANAGER
Susan Wolgamott
COPY
EDITOR
Jodi Jackson
ACCOUNT
EXECUTIVE
Barbie Bassett
SOCIAL MEDIA
MANAGER
Megan Swede
DIGITAL CONTENT
CREATOR
Samantha Leamon
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome Additions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Kids Who Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Northpark Celebrates 40 Years. . . . . . . .24
Dancer. Disciple. Director.. . . . . . . . . . .30
Women of Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Ergon Celebrates 70 Years . . . . . . . . . 64
Circle of Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Salute to First Responders . . . . . . . . . 78
The Time Coin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
...see you around town.
www.facebook.com/hometownmadisonmagazine. For subscription information visit www.htmags.com or contact us at info@HTMags.com / 601.706.4059 / 200 Felicity Street / Brandon, MS 39042
All rights reserved. No portion of Hometown Madison may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The management of Hometown Madison is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers or editors.
Hometown Madison maintains the unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted material. All advertisements are subject to approval by the publisher. The production of Hometown Madison is funded by advertising.
Hometown MADISON • 7

8 • JULY 2024

STEAK • SEAFOOD • WINE • COCKTAILS
SPECIAL OCCASIONS OR
A CASUAL NIGHT OUT
RENAISSANCE AT COLONY PARK
601.957.3753 • KOESTLERPRIME.COM
1000 HIGHLAND COLONY PKWY SUITE 6001
Hometown MADISON • 9

Comprehensive Cancer Care
for MORE THAN 25 YEARS
St. Dominic’s Comprehensive Cancer Program is one of the top
cancer treatment providers in central Mississippi and is known for
outstanding adult patient care and exceptionally skilled providers.
Our passion for offering innovative cancer treatment with the
latest technology sets us apart. Healing is more than just a physical
journey, and here, patients are more than just their diagnosis.
• Radiation Therapy
• Infusion Therapy
• Surgery
• Patient Navigators
• Support Programs and Resources
• Hands of Hope Boutique
Learn more at stdom.com/cancercare.
10 • JULY 2024

Hometown MADISON • 11

The No-Delay
Debit Card
Lost card? You don’t have time to wait on hold, much less
for the mail. Just walk in to your nearest BankPlus and get an
Instant Issue Debit Card then and there. bankplus.net
INSTANT ISSUE DEBIT CARDS • LOCAL BANKING
Member FDIC.
12 • JULY 2024

Hometown MADISON • 13

14 • JULY 2024

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
WELCOME
Additions
Melanie McMillan
Jay and Andrea Gulley first met in their hometown of Carthage, but
it wasn’t until her senior year of high school, when the two started
attending the same church, that they really got to know each other.
When Andrea was struggling with college physics, she reached out to Jay,
who was a pharmacy major at the University of Mississippi. The pair may
have been studying physics, but there was definitely chemistry there as well,
and a year later they were engaged.
Andrea and Jay married in May of 2007, and welcomed their son Walker
in November of 2011, and daughter Lyndon in April of 2013. Over the years,
the couple has flipped several homes in Madison, but in 2019 they built the
house they now call home. They could not have known at the time how much
their lives would change over the next few years.
Early in their relationship, Andrea had expressed to Jay that she felt very
strongly that she was called to adopt. In 2019, she raised the subject again.
She laughingly recalls, “I reminded Jay of that long ago conversation and said,
‘I was serious about that!’” Jay was a little more hesitant but also felt the tug
of the Lord. “I was adopted by my aunt and uncle,” he says, “and my sister had
adopted a child from Honduras. Adoption has been a big part of my life.” In
December of 2019, the Gulleys brought home their daughter, Gemma Rose.
“We were blessed to be able to be at the hospital for her birth and we have
maintained a relationship with the birth family,” Andrea says. “We stay in
touch, and I send pictures of Gemma Rose. We even get together for dinner
every once in a while.”
Hometown MADISON • 15

16 • JULY 2024 Design & Construction by Provision Design • Fans & Lighting by Sunbelt Lighting

In 2021, Andrea and Jeff felt led to become foster parents. Within a month
of completing the licensing process, they received a call about a baby girl, who
had been born on their fifteenth wedding anniversary. They welcomed baby
Torren into their home in May of 2022, and she has been with them ever since.
She officially became their daughter in March of this year.
In August of 2023, Jay and Andrea became foster parents for a two year old
girl in need of placement. At this point, the couple doesn’t know what the future
holds for her or how long she’ll be with them. “We’ve always been up front with
our older children about the realities of foster care,” Andrea says. “Fostering is a
roller coaster. The child may be reunited with family, or we may adopt, but we just
pray for God’s will. We’re going to love on them for as long as the Lord allows.”
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Last July, the Gulley family embarked on a major home project, upgrading
their backyard to create a space where their growing family could enjoy the
outdoors together. “Our backyard was just grass, and not even good grass,”
Jay jokes. “The yard was always wet, except for in the summer, and we wanted
to be able to enjoy the outdoors year round.” When they began the process of
building a pool, they envisioned other amenities such as a fire pit and cabana
with outdoor kitchen.
After talking to a few designers and soliciting recommendations from friends,
they met with John Hertel of Provision Design. “When we met with John and
saw his design, it was a no-brainer for us,” Andrea says. “Having flipped and built
several houses, we recognize quality work, and we could tell he was a man of
character.” Jay adds, “There were so many things that we would not have thought
of, because we had never done an outdoor project like this before. He thought of
everything we didn’t even know we needed.” The beginning of the process was
slow because the Gulleys needed a zoning variance with the city due to the height
of the cabana. “John handled everything about that process, mailing plans to the
neighbors, and attending meetings with the board of supervisors and mayor,”
Jay says. “He made it as stress free as possible.”
The Gulley family could not be more pleased with the end result. “The design
that John brought to reality is just what we were looking for,” the couple says.
“He works hard and is very hands on, and he was so patient and easy to work with.
He really became part of our family - so much so that our children started
calling him ‘Uncle’ John, or in the case of the younger ones, ‘Josh.’”
While the family has spent many happy hours together in their new outdoor
space, they had a much bigger goal in mind for the backyard improvements, which
can be summed up in one word - ministry. The Gulleys are very involved in their
church, Broadmoor Baptist, and in particular the shelter ministry, which provides
support and resources for families navigating the foster care and adoption process.
“We love to entertain and have friends and family over, but we also wanted to be
able to host groups like the shelter ministry, and it’s so nice to have the space to do
that.” Having been involved in youth ministry previously, the couple also enjoys
hosting youth group events at their home. “As our children grow, we hope to be
the place where their friends come to hang out,” Andrea says. “We want everyone
to feel welcome in our home.”
Hometown MADISON • 17

18 • JULY 2024

Hometown MADISON • 19

20 • JULY 2024

KIDS WHO CARE
Katie Grace
Susan Marquez
BARBOUR
AFTER A BUSY THREE
YEARS IN HIGH SCHOOL,
KATIE GRACE BARBOUR
CAPPED OFF HER HIGH
SCHOOL GRADUATION
WITH A TRIP TO EUROPE.
Her next stop is the University of Mississippi,
although she admits to coming from a family of
die-hard Mississippi State fans. She chose to
attend Ole Miss because she will be studying
biological sciences on the pre-med track.
The Madison native is the daughter of Erin
and Jay Barbour and is one of three girls. Her
older sister, Mary Clinton, will be a senior at
Mississippi State this fall, and Becca will be a
sophomore at Katie Grace’s alma mater, Madison
Central.
“I cannot say enough good things about
Madison Central,” says Katie Grace. “It is truly
an honor to be a Jag!”
Katie Grace is a natural performer. During the
three years she was student at Madison Central,
she was a member of the Madison Central
Mystix dance team that danced at pep rallies and
Friday night football games as well as annual
competitions. She was also a member of the
Reveille show choir, serving as a dance captain in
both her junior and senior years. “We did fun
performances like dancing with the teachers as
well as competing most weekends from the end of
January through March. This year we competed
in Orlando and got to go Walt Disney World,
which was awesome!”
Katie Grace also served her school as a member
of the Student Government Association, which
met every Monday morning to discuss and plan
school events like homecoming and prom. The
Association also conducted fundraisers and
canned food drives. She served as the executive
secretary her senior year.
Katie Grace served as the president of the
Interact Club, a group that focuses on community
service. She was also president of the Madison
Junior Civitan Club, working with organizations
like Madcaap, the Iona House, Little Lighthouse,
and others in the Madison metro area.
Somehow, Katie Grace also found the time
(and energy!) to maintain excellent grades. She is
a 30+ ACT student, was on the all-A honor roll,
and she is an AP Scholar with distinction. That
put her in the Madison Central Hall of Fame,
and she graduated with a class rank of 10/376.
She was a member of the National Honor
Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Beta
Club, Upstanders Kindness Club, and the
Madison Central High School Mentoring
Program, which required her to travel to a local
elementary school every other day to spend time
with an elementary student. “My sweet mentee
was one of the best parts of my senior year!”
Katie Grace says that none of the things she
has had the privilege of being a part of would have
been possible without the supportive community
at Madison Central and Madison County, as
well as her family and friends. “Throughout
high school, I’ve made an effort to participate in
community service-oriented clubs and organizations.
My actions are always motivated by the goal
of making someone else smile. With all the
negativity in the world, I feel it’s important to
spread kindness and positivity. Even the smallest
acts of goodwill can make a profound impact on
the lives of others. Witnessing the service and
selflessness of the people who have helped shape
me to be the person I am today has made me
want to pass it on.”
Katie Grace headed an initiative at Madison
Central to rename a road on the school’s campus
after a beloved resource officer, Corey Ray, who
passed away. “When I spoke to the faculty and
administration at MC about wanting to do this,
they were most accepting and willing to help in
any way they could. It’s because of them that the
idea came to fruition.”
An avid reader and a fan of the arts, Katie
Grace enjoys going to see musicals and concerts,
sharing favorite songs with friends, and getting
lost in a bookstore. She is a member of St. Richard’s
Catholic Church. Her secret addiction is coffee,
particularly from her favorite coffee shop – Fusion.
She also loves people and meeting perfect
strangers is one of her favorite things. “I even
met some people from my hometown while in
London!” She is passionate about history,
rhetoric, and biology.
Before going to Ole Miss in the fall, Katie
Grace hopes to get some beach time. “Give me
a good book and a beach chair and I’ll be there
all day!”
Hometown MADISON • 21

22 • JULY 2024

Hometown MADISON • 23

Macy Agostinelli
NORTHPARK
CELEBRATES
40 YEARS
OF STYLE
For 40 years, Northpark has been a
thriving shopping center serving both
the Jackson metro area and the wider
Mississippi population. The center
opened its doors on September 12, 1984,
and has consistently expanded ever since.
24 • JULY 2024

Beyond serving as a community hub and
retail destination for the past four decades,
Northpark has also provided numerous job
opportunities and stimulated economic
growth in the Jackson metro region. Talk to
any Jacksonian, and you will find they hold
fond memories of visiting Northpark to
shop, eat, and spend time with friends while
growing up. Many will tell of how their
first job was at Northpark, and the center
continues to offer a variety of employment
options to those in the Jackson metro area.
In addition to department stores,
Northpark has welcomed a multitude of
small businesses over the years, offering
them a centralized location for growth and
exposure. Many of these entrepreneurs have
found that Northpark’s strategic location
not only attracts customers from around
Mississippi but also draws in new patrons
from neighboring states. Beyond providing
a physical space for these businesses,
Northpark actively supports their growth
in any way possible, fostering a thriving
environment of commerce and community
engagement.
Hometown MADISON • 25

One way Northpark raises awareness of its small
businesses is with monthly “Shop Local Spotlights” on their
website, with each spotlight telling the story of one of
Northpark’s small business owners. The common thread
uniting each small business at Northpark is their passion
and the appreciation they feel for the chance Northpark
has offered both them and their enterprises.
Northpark’s commitment to small businesses makes it
more than just the average shopping center. These small
businesses add a personal touch to the shopping experience,
showing genuine care for customers and forming personal
connections with them. Many customers travel from miles
away just to shop from a specific small business at Northpark,
driven not just by the desire for their products but also by
the desire to support and engage with the individuals
behind the business. If you talk to any small business owner
at Northpark about their customers, you will find that they
light up at the chance to express their care for their patrons.
Some even have attended personal events of their customers,
such as weddings. It is these relationships that have shaped
Northpark into the lively hub it is today.
Northpark will be holding a variety of exciting events
to celebrate its 40 years. For its 40th birthday weekend,
festivities will commence on Thursday, September 12th,
with the reception of a historical marker and include a
ribbon-tying ceremony and reception to follow. On Friday,
September 13th, Northpark will host a Gayfer Girls reunion,
honoring the department store’s former ambassadors.
Before Gayfers was taken over by Dillard’s in 1998, young
women could apply to be Gayfer Girls, ambassadors that
promoted the store’s clothing. Some of Northpark’s former
Gayfer Girls will reunite at Northpark for the center’s
40-year anniversary and take part in a program as an ode to
their days as Gayfer Girls. The 40th Anniversary celebration
will conclude on Saturday, September 14th with “Decades
Day,” inviting customers to dress in attire from their
favorite era and will feature a fashion show presented by
the Gayfer Girls. These events at Northpark are free and
open to the public.
Follow Northpark on Facebook and on Instagram
@shopnorthparkms to stay up to date on anniversary
events and announcements.
26 • JULY 2024

Hometown MADISON • 27

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2173 Hwy 51 N
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601-859-0020
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nancing for up to 60 months on purchases of new Kubota L2502 equipment from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory is available to qualied purchasers
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28 • JULY 2024

Care for all.
All in one.
Urgent, Primary and Kids Care
Multi-care health center opening soon in Madison.
TrustCare is bringing comprehensive healthcare services that’s convenient for all. With urgent care,
primary care and kids care all under one roof, we’re making it easier for you and your loved ones to
access quality healthcare at your speed.
TrustCareHealth.com
Extended weekday hours and open weekends.
Pre-book your appointment.
© TrustCare Health. All rights reserved.
Hometown MADISON • 29

Dancer,
Disciple,
Director
A Story of Passion & Purpose
Jodi Jackson
30 • JULY 2024

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT
Anna Joyner was born and raised in Jackson. She
began training with Ballet Magnificat! School of
the Arts at the age of four and was inspired to
dedicate her time and energy to pursuing dance
at the age of eight while watching a performance
by the school’s professional company. Throughout
her childhood, Anna’s love for dance grew
stronger, along with her desire to share the love
of Jesus through dancing so others would come
to know Him.
At age eleven, Anna was selected to play the
part of “Little Amy” for her three years in Ballet
Magnificat!’s A Christmas Dream. During high school,
she was a member of the Magnificat! Youth Ballet,
performing with the group for four years, and
served as the team captain during some of that
time. Anna also attended Ballet Magnificat!’s
Summer Dance Intensive for four years and was
selected to be a part of the pre-professional level
at the intensive and performed in Deliver Us
and Will You or Won’t You.
Anna is grateful for the encouragement and
training her instructors provided and the ways
they poured into her as a student. She names
Suzanne Sanders, Hannah Beaver, Brittany
Bischoff, and Nissa Kilman as significant influences
in both her dance training and her personal life.
Anna says without these teachers, she may never
have had the courage to keep dancing and pursue
her dream of traveling with Ballet Magnificat!’s
professional company.
Anna went on to become a trainee in the
pre-professional trainee program in 2014, and
in 2017, she was promoted to the professional
company. She began performing with Ballet
Magnificat! and toured all over the United States
as well as across the world to over twenty countries
including Honduras, Guam, East Asia, and
thirteen countries in western and eastern Europe.
While traveling, Anna both performed and
taught master classes. These once-in-a-lifetime
opportunities were truly the fulfillment of her
lifelong dream to become a world traveler who
shares the gospel through dance.
In August of 2022, Anna retired from her role
as a company artist and became the director of the
Magnificat! Youth Ballet, which is the highest-level
performing group in Ballet Magnificat’s School
of the Arts. In June of 2023, she stepped into the
role of School of the Arts director. She is excited
to use her experience to teach students in the
place where she was trained herself.
Anna has a heart and vision to see other
young dancers fulfill their dreams and follow the
Lord’s call for each of their lives. Her desire is
for the School of the Arts to continue teaching
students strong ballet technique as well as foster a
love for dance, the arts, and ultimately, the Lord.
Shortly after she retired from dancing
professionally, Anna met her husband Zakary
Joyner in the fall of 2022 at a local coffee shop. In
November 2023, they were married and currently
reside in Jackson. Zak is a professional violinist,
so the two are quite the artistic pair!
For those searching for a ballet school that
will both provide a high level of pre-professional
training, as well as a caring, Christ-centered
environment- look no further! Ballet Magnificat!
School of the Arts maintains a standard of
excellence as they provide their students with
individual attention - nurturing not just the
dancer, but the whole person.
Hometown MADISON • 31

We GUARANTEE that Roof-A-Cide will protect your roof surface
against recurring mold, mildew, and fungus for 2 FULL YEARS!
DID YOU KNOW?
Roof-A-Cide is
EPA Approved and
safe for people,
pets, and plants.
32 • JULY 2024

Serving the Women of Madison,
Rankin, Flowood and beyond!
A full-service women’s health clinic empowering women with better choices.
Welcoming Our Newest Physicians!
Request an Appointment
Kimberly Zachow, M.D. Lindsay Jerome, M.D.
Hometown MADISON • 33

Where Public Meets Private
Coming Together for The Betterment of All
The Madison County Business League & Foundation is a private, stakeholder-based support
organization that works with business owners and decision makers to discuss topics that
affect economic development. Together, we continue to build upon the economic development
infrastructure of Madison County. We recognize and salute the industry and businesses for the
contribution they make towards our quality of life.
135 Mississippi Parkway, Canton, MS 39046 | 601.707.3303
madisoncountybusinessleague.com
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
MCBLF_MCEDA_Ad-2022-Full.indd 1
2/2/22 3:15 PM
34 • JULY 2024

Registration
NOW OPEN
Hometown MADISON • 35

Women
WEEKS REMAINING IN QUARTER 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Monday
of BUSINESS
Women make up a
substantial core of our
business backbone and
we’re proud to celebrate
just a few of the thousands
of shining stars throughout
Madison County.
DAILY BIG 3 List your three most important tasks.
X
X
X
OTHER TASKS
3rd st. Market
-potatoes, lamp oil, flax
Attorneys Office, 3pm
- closing on field!
Spinning Class
(shop for new spindle
and distaff )
- send invoices
- buy grape seed!
- donate clothes
- shelter volunteer
thursday 2pm
– Team meeting
to discuss food bank
- check wine
labels at printer!
- Friday, gym
arm day
- Rest!
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
- buy
- call
- ma
- m
- pi
– se
t
- S
b
– S
i
-
-
8
■ = TO DO ● = DELEGATE ✖ = IMPORTANT ? = QUESTION
42
36 • JULY 2024

-
coffee
Lisa!
ke deposits
ail payments
ck up treats
nd flowers
o Mom
tevens
irthday gift
chedule
Assistant
nterviews
End of Year
Reports Due
Lunch
with Tracey
NOTES
“She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night and
provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she
plants a vineyard.
She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise
is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor and
reaches out her hands to the needy.”
proverbs 31:3-20
43
Hometown MADISON • 37

Pam
Melanie McMillan
Ware
Pam Ware has been in the banking industry
her entire career, following in the footsteps of her
mother who also had a long, successful career in
banking. Pam spent her younger years in the
Jackson area with her mom, Catherine, and dad,
Rev. Mitchell Hedgepeth, and her siblings,
Candy and Will. She attended First Presbyterian
Day School and then Jackson Prep until her
family relocated to Vicksburg, where she
graduated from Warren Central High School.
Pam earned a bachelor’s degree in business
administration and marketing from Mississippi
State University and was hired by Union Planters
Bank for the Retail Leadership Development
Program. “This program allowed me to meet Curt
Gabardi, who is our CEO at First Commercial
Bank, along with many other talented bankers
that I still have the pleasure of working alongside
today,” she says. By May of 2000, Pam had been
promoted to vice president at Union Planters,
which became Regions Bank in 2004. In August
of 2007 she was named chief operations officer
at Metropolitan Bank, where she served for ten
years. Pam then joined Renasant Bank as
director of operational process and efficiencies,
and remained in that role until February of
2020 when she accepted the position of chief
operating officer and chief risk officer at First
Commercial Bank. “At First Commercial Bank,
we are blessed to have talented bankers, who
genuinely care about our clients and the
communities that we serve,” Ware says. “To be
able to work alongside these seasoned bankers
and be a part of our clients’ business and personal
success stories is what drives and inspires me on
a daily basis. Banking is pretty simple, but how
First Commercial Bank chooses to do banking
for our clients is something that I will never take
for granted. Doing the right thing and serving as
an advocate and educational resource to help our
clients make the best decisions that they can for
their families and businesses is what I truly believe
is the foundation of the future.” Pam has been
formally recognized for her professional success
by the Mississippi Business Journal, being named as a
50 Leading Business Women top 10 finalist in
2015. In 2017, she was the recipient of a Leader
in Finance award, as well as being a top 10
recipient in the Top 50 Under 40 category.
She serves as a board member and executive
committee chair for the Southern Financial
Exchange.
Pam lives in Madison with her daughter
Holly, a rising 8th grader at Canton Academy,
and their many pets, which include dogs Presley
and Dolly, Cupcake the cat, Comrade, a palomino
horse that Holly rides at Winterview Farms, and
Princess, a palomino pony. “I love spending time
with my family, whether we are holding our
family fishing tournaments, riding and showing
horses, or attending classic car shows and country
music concerts,” she says. “My grandfather loved
classic cars, and he instilled his passion into both
me and Holly. When Holly was a baby, he
purchased and restored a 1968 Oldsmobile 442.
When he passed away in 2021, Holly inherited
the car, and she loves showing it at Cruisin’ the
Coast, Scarecrow, and other car shows around
the area. The 442’s name is ‘Betty’ and we
occasionally call her ‘Bad Betty’ when she needs
repairs. We also enjoy showing a 1989 Trans
Am and a 1978 Corvette.”
Not only a dedicated professional, Ware also
pours countless hours into the community through
the many organizations she volunteers with.
“I truly love being involved in our community
and teaching Holly the importance of having
a servant’s heart,” she says. “My grandmother
always told me growing up that ‘pretty is as
pretty does.’” Pam serves as a board member for
the Salvation Army, American Cancer Society,
Madison County Chamber of Commerce, and
Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi. In 2023, she
received the American Cancer Society’s Volunteer
of the Year award. Pam previously served as board
chair for the March of Dimes as well as the March
for Babies chair in 2018. She is a member of the
Junior League of Jackson and an American
Heart Association Circle of Red member.
Pam is grateful for those who have guided her
throughout her life and career, and encourages
young women to seek out trusted mentors as
well. “Finding a mentor is invaluable no matter
where you are in your career, whether you’re a
young professional just starting out, or a
seasoned professional looking to grow and
advance in your profession,” she says. “Find
someone who inspires you both personally and
professionally, someone you would like to
emulate. These individuals can serve as your
role model and a sounding board to bounce
ideas off of. They can be there to counsel you
through challenging times and help you create a
plan of action and response. These mentors can
share their life moments with you, both in their
achievements, as well as stories and life lessons
from their most difficult days.”
True to her servant heart, and recognizing
the impact a wise mentor can have on a person,
Pam is happy to share her experiences and advice
with others, and she encourages others to do the
same. “For those who have been in the workplace
for many years, I would challenge you to
serve as a mentor for someone if they ask. I am
so grateful to all the people who have poured
their time and experiences into me. I would not
be who I am today without these individuals,
and I will be forever blessed by knowing them.”
38 • JULY 2024

What others had to say...
Pam is an extraordinarily talented and
tireless bank leader who has earned a
tremendous level of respect not only
from within our bank but across the entire
Mississippi banking community. She’s the
consummate professional and quite an
emotionally intelligent leader as well.
Curtis Gabardi
President & Chief Executive Officer
First Commercial Bank
Pam Ware is synonymous with dedication
and selflessness. Her tenacity and “get it done”
attitude inspires everyone she meets. She doesn’t
just participate, she leads and motivates others
to join her in making a difference. Her unwavering
commitment to the causes she supports is a
beacon of hope and a driving force for positive
change. She is a true embodiment of perseverance
and altruism. Her impact on the lives of
so many, including mine, is immeasurable.
Jennifer Bennett
Vice President, South Regional Development
American Cancer Society
Hometown MADISON • 39

Deidra
Melanie McMillan
Estes
Madison resident Deidra Estes grew up in
Gulfport with her parents, Roland and Debra
Ford, older brother Wesley, and younger sister
April. A 1998 graduate of Long Beach High,
Deidra relocated to the Jackson area in 1999
after she began dating Chad Estes, who has
been her husband for nearly 20 years. She
enrolled in Holmes Community College and
secured a job as a dental assistant with Dr. Carla
Metcalf. That job had a major impact on her
field of study. “I really enjoyed my work as a
dental assistant, and that led me to enroll in the
dental hygiene program at UMMC,” Deidra
says. She earned her degree in 2005 and went
back to work for Dr. Metcalf shortly after.
A people person by nature, Deidra enjoyed
building relationships with patients and caring
for them over the years. “I was passionate about
patient care, and I couldn’t have asked for a better
friend and mentor than Dr. Metcalf,” says Deidra.
“She was like a mother to me.” In fact, Deidra
spent her 15-year career as a dental hygienist at
the same clinic.
Over the years, her enthusiasm for the
dental field waned. And in 2019, Dr. Metcalf
passed away. “Her passing, followed by COVID
in 2020, really dampened my passion for my
career,” she says. “Although I wasn’t sure what I
wanted to do, I knew I needed a change.” Deidra
left the dental profession in 2020 and began
exploring her options for next steps.
For a little over a year, Estes was self-employed,
making use of her insurance license, but it
wasn’t something she was interested in doing
long term. “I really wanted to do something
different, but also wanted a career that would
allow me to still work with people and take care
of them in some way,” she says. “Because I’m such
an extrovert, several people suggested car sales
to me, but I didn’t seriously consider it initially.
There can sometimes be a stigma associated
with salespeople, so I resisted the idea at first.
But the more I thought about it, I realized it
doesn’t have to be like that, not if I treated
people the way I would want to be treated.”
Deidra was offered the opportunity to join
Herrin Gear Infiniti in January 2022 and she
worked there until moving to Herrin Gear Lexus,
where she has been a sales professional since
October of 2023. She admits she knew next to
nothing about cars when she began her career,
but her work ethic made up for what she didn’t
yet know. “I work hard to be knowledgeable
and detail oriented,” she says. “I’m honest and
up front with my customers and I’m just myself.
I love working with and getting to know people,
and maintaining the relationship after the sale
is important to me. My goal has been to change
the car buying experience and have a positive
impact on people. I try to mirror the Lexus
covenant, which is ‘Treat customers as we would
treat guests in our own home.’”
Deidra’s hard work since starting her
“second” career has paid off. She’s earned
numerous awards for her sales numbers, selling
20 or more vehicles many months, with a high
of 32 units in one month. “I’m very driven and
motivated,” she says. “I love that I’m only
limited by my own work ethic. I like to say that
having a job where your income is based on
sales commission means that I determine my
own worth.”
Estes works a lot of hours, but when she has
free time, she enjoys working out and spending
time with her family out on the water. Her
husband Chad works in the family business,
Magnolia Tool and Manufacturing. Son Cole
is a 2024 graduate of Germantown High and
is heading to Holmes Community College in
the fall, and daughter Callie is a rising
sophomore at Germantown.
Throughout her years in the workforce,
Deidra has learned valuable life lessons, which
can apply to young people trying to decide on a
career, as well as those who, like her, are ready for
a change. “It’s important to take stock of what
you’re passionate about and what you enjoy, but
don’t be afraid of stepping outside your comfort
zone because it can lead to success.”
Although Deidra has worked really hard
throughout her career, she is quick to give credit
where it’s due. “I want to give the Lord all of the
praise for my success,” she says. “He opened the
door in a new industry and provided me with
incredible managers who invested in me. I also
want to thank my referring friends and customers.
Because of them, I have an unbelievable
customer base in just over two years.”
40 • JULY 2024

What others had to say...
I’ve known Deidra 20 years, and she has
consistently been a beacon of enthusiasm
and kindness. Her passion and drive are truly
inspiring and her dedication to her pursuits is
unparalleled. Whether it’s her daily commitment
to working out, making cherished memories
with her family, or achieving professional goals,
she approaches each task with unwavering
determination. Her love for the Lord shines
brightly in the way she freely loves and gives
to others. Over the years, I’ve witnessed her
navigate various career paths, and have
never seen her thrive as she does now. She
has found her true passion, and it fits her so
naturally. Deidra has been a steadfast friend,
standing by me through some of my darkest
days. We have shared countless seasons of
life together, and through it all, our friendship
has remained strong. It is a true honor to call
her my friend. She is a remarkable blessing.
Lori Morrison
Personal Friend
From the minute Deidra walked onto the lot, her
warm smile and caring spirit made her seem like
an old friend. She took time to talk with us to truly
see what our needs were and how she could
make us happy by purchasing a vehicle that would
completely meet our needs. After we decided on a
purchase and completed every step of the process,
we decided it was not the right fit for us. She gladly
canceled the sale to start the process over in a
different direction. By the end of the experience,
she truly was a part of our family and has been
ever since. We share our families’ events and
accomplishments as if we’ve known each other
for a lifetime. She is not just a sales representative,
she takes pride in her job, takes an interest in her
clients, and does so with a big smile and caring
heart. She demonstrates professionalism while
establishing friendships with everyone she meets.
Karen Bedells
Client
Hometown MADISON • 41

Christi
Sarah Rein
Chandler
The trajectory of some people’s lives appears
to be a smooth arc. For others, it looks less clear
cut and more like happenstance. Or, as Christi
Chandler would phrase it, as if someone more
knowledgeable than herself was in charge of her
life. Growing up in Brookhaven, Christi didn’t
feel a strong sense of what she wanted to pursue.
But, perhaps influenced by a grandmother who
was a Christian author, she eventually settled on
journalism as her major in school.
After college, she began working for The
Daily Leader, a local paper in her hometown of
Brookhaven, where she did graphic design for the
advertising department in addition to writing.
“Now I suspect that the fact that my father
owned an appliance store in town and advertised
with them might have had something to do with
my landing that first job,” she shares, grinning.
Christi eventually married and landed a job
event coordinating for the March of Dimes. She
changed jobs a few times over the years, taking
career steps up in the marketing industry. And
while she had not grown up dreaming of having
a family, when she and her husband decided to
pursue one, they agreed that she would step away
from working outside the home and the frequent
traveling that accompanied it.
But things didn’t fall into place as she’d
expected. The Chandlers found themselves
dealing with infertility and a life delay they had
not anticipated. But after a couple of years, they
were blessed with two children in quick succession
- a son and a daughter. Christi enjoyed the chance
to be home raising her children and values the
time she spent having a front-row seat for every
small moment. But one day, as she drove her
elementary-age children home from school, she
overheard a conversation her daughter was having
with a friend in the backseat. “The friend asked
what her mother did for a job and my daughter
answered by saying I really just drove them
around,” Christi laughs. She began thinking that
God might be nudging her to pursue something
outside her work at home. And while she’s careful
to acknowledge the privilege and joy it was to be
home full-time, she felt a sense of responsibility
to show her daughter what other possibilities
might be out there. In the end, Christi feels
certain she was not the one directing her life
path anyway. “I’ve never looked back and
thought...my career was just starting to climb
and then I had babies. I see it as God gave me
babies at the time He knew was right and they
were my focus. And then, as my children grew
and I had more margin, He gave me the ability
to re-enter the workforce,” she shares.
The re-entry was a gradual one as Christi
obtained her realtor license and began working at
eXp Realty alongside another new agent, Pam
McGehee. They both had young families with
children of similar ages and were able to form a
team that allowed them to share the responsibilities
of their developing careers. The partners
eventually sold the home of Sheila Gonseth, who
decided she’d also like to step into the world of
real estate. The team grew to three when Christi
and Pam welcomed her as their buyer’s agent.
The next step in the creation of The Chandler
Group came in 2017 when the Mississippi Real
Estate Commission created new rules for teams
requiring that they not be independent from a
broker - essentially meaning that some member
of their team would need to obtain their broker’s
license. They agreed Christi would but, as she
set out to get her broker’s license, she came to a
difficult crossroad. Christi was becoming
increasingly involved in selling new construction,
which is a very different process than selling
pre-existing homes. Recognizing the limitations
of her knowledge at the time, Christi moved to
Weaver & Associate Real Estate to work with
Vicki Weaver, who could mentor her in the area
of new construction. But it meant the dissolution
of a team that had become like family. “It was a
tough decision. But of course we all remained
friends and stayed in touch. And then in 2022
I made the decision to go out on my own. Pam
and Sheila were the first people I shared my news
with, and their response was ‘we are definitely
coming with you!’” Christi recalls. “I remember
telling God that I wanted Him to build this
brokerage, and He absolutely has done that.”
The Chandler Group has now grown to a
small, boutique brokerage of five located in the
town of Lost Rabbit in Madison. “Our size allows
for a very streamlined process, and we provide a
very white-glove, personalized service. Every
buyer and seller is different so we have agents
who specialize in different client experiences,”
Christi shares. “Also, I’m still a producing broker
because selling is my love. So, I don’t necessarily
envision myself as some massive broker with lots
of agents underneath me.” “But I’m open to
whatever God has. This whole thing has been
very organic, and I’ve realized that if I just trust
and allow Him to shape things, He does a really
good job.”
42 • JULY 2024

What others had to say...
Strong, godly, and driven are some of
the words I’d choose to describe Christi.
She is innovative, has great communication
skills, and is always optimistic.
Pam McGehee
Fellow Agent at The Chandler Group
Christi is diligent and listens to what you
say and what you mean (there’s a difference).
She’s well-connected and has established
quite a network. She has the ability to make
you feel like you are her only customer.
In this industry it’s either a partnership or a
transaction - Christi’s approach is always
about the partnership.
Catherine & Al Faulk
Friends and Clients
Hometown MADISON • 43

Christa
Growing up in Denver, Colorad0, Christa
Freeman dreamt of devoting her talents to
something that would allow her artistic abilities
to shine. She just wasn’t sure what. Her college
roommate was the one who ended up providing
the direction needed - cosmetology school. But
she would never have guessed that what started
out as a job to make ends meet during college
would turn into a career. “I grew up as kind of a
tomboy with extremely curly hair so if someone
had told me I would be doing hair one day, I
would have been shocked!” Christa laughs.
For a time, with little direction in how to
grow in the hair industry, Christa worked
different jobs and considered other career paths.
Meanwhile, her parents, who have deep
Mississippi roots (there is in fact, a former
governor in her family tree) were planning to
move home to retire and spend time growing a
business they had here. She decided to make the
move with them although she didn’t anticipate
staying. “I met someone here who managed a
salon and mentioned I had been a hairdresser.
When I was invited to give it another try, I was
finally in a place where I could see a future in it.
I’d gotten hooked up with a great business
platform, and I met my future husband, Todd.
He was working as a lobbyist at the time, but he
saw the potential and was supportive of the
business I wanted to run, she shares. In fact,
Todd bought in so whole-heartedly, he decided
to go to cosmetology school and, after he
graduated, he joined the industry and trained
with Christa. Together, they have created much
more than a beautiful and excellent hair salon
- although Watercolor Salon is certainly that.
The Freemans have set out to change the
perception of their industry. Christa’s desire is
for her business to be the kind of place she was
looking for when she needed a launching pad
after school. So, she and Todd have created a
sponsorship program for team members joining
the company. “Like any profession, you come out
of school, and you need support. All people need
someone to believe in them and show them how
to grow in their career.”
The future Christa wanted to create has
come to fruition. With about fifty employees,
Watercolor Salon is planning a new joint venture
with Skin Aesthetics, a face and body medspa
run by her friend Jennifer Ravenstein. Scheduled
to open in 2026, this expansion is part of
Christa’s plan to responsibly steward the future
of her staff - to whom she offers insurance,
401(k) plans, and paid vacation - in addition to
regular opportunities for continued education.
Christa’s vision is also evidenced in the
day-to-day exchanges in her business. “Our staff
wrote their own honor code just so we are all on
board with what we are working towards. And
when we bring in someone new, everyone truly
rallies around them.”
The salon’s culture trickles down to its clients
as well. “The front desk is excellent at asking new
clients questions to get them connected with the
right stylist. The service providers are extensively
trained and ready to create a beautiful product.
The stylist generally starts with a thorough
consultation, discussing the best looks for a
Sarah Rein
Freeman
client’s face shape and looking at pictures
together. The health of clients’ hair and scalp is
vital to us, and we use the very best products we
can get our hands on. Everyone truly believes in
excellence in our establishment,” Christa shares.
In addition to a depth of skill, the salon also
offers a variety of services such as cutting and
styling, and specialized color from blondeing
to fashion color to balayage to foiling. They also
offer many types of extensions such as hand-tied
and adding hair for additional volume or special
occasions.
Watercolor Salon also offers services for
weddings and other special events. There are
also services that promote hair health and growth
such as conditioning treatment for your specific
hair and scalp. In addition, they offer waxing, as
well as brow and lash services.
And while Christa and Watercolor Salon have
enjoyed great success - they’ve been recognized
in Salon Today’s Top 200 and regularly rank as
one Mississippi Magazine’s top salons - it seems
the best is yet to come. Christa shares, “We are
grateful for the popularity, but we measure our
success by watching the actual numbers. I’m
very proud of our participation with High
Performance Salon Academy, a national
organization that recognizes the top 150 salons
in the country in terms of business success.
They help us do a deep dive into everything so
we can answer questions like, ‘Are you a strong,
growing company?’” For Watercolor Salon,
with Christa, Todd, and their outstanding team,
the answer is a resounding yes.
44 • JULY 2024

What others had to say...
From the moment I met her, I’ve remained
in awe of her passion to make a beautiful
difference in every person she encounters.
This unselfish passion is not restricted to
her gift of being an incredible coiffeur, but
means you also walk out of Watercolor’s
doors with her positive energy. Watercolor
is her family and she and Todd give nothing
short but all of themselves to make a
difference in every associate.
Ann Carter
Friend and Customer for 20 Years
Christa is a Christian who lives like it. She is
good to her customers, staff, and friends.
As a businesswoman, I think her attention to
detail with her customers and her commitment
to her staff sets her apart. She loves to teach
her staff how to be successful in work and in life.
David Goodwin
Friend and Customer for 20 Years
Hometown MADISON • 45

Jennifer
Sarah Rein
Ravenstein
Spaces tend to reflect the person they belong
to. At Skin Aesthetics, a luxurious medspa
providing a broad range of skin and body
treatments, that holds particularly true. The
atmosphere is serene yet welcoming, calm but
friendly. And that would be an accurate way to
describe Jennifer Ravenstein, the nurse
practitioner and owner of Skin Aesthetics.
Jennifer grew up in Jackson, graduating
from Jackson Academy and later continuing
her education at Ole Miss before moving on to
UMMC School of Nursing. She’d initially
imagined a career working with babies - perhaps
in neonatal intensive care. “I’d worked in the
nursery at Christ United Methodist for years
and absolutely loved being around babies. But
when I got out of nursing school, there were no
positions available, and I ended up taking a
position as a surgical nurse primarily working
with plastic surgeons,” Jennifer recalls.
Years of working alongside these physicians
shaped Jennifer’s career as well as her impression
of the cosmetic world. She particularly remembers
that Dr. Runnels, with whom she was working,
inspired her to see cosmetic surgery in a different
light. “He encouraged me to see it as helping
people to feel better about themselves. And that
changed my entire perspective,” she shares.
Jennifer eventually returned to school to
become a nurse practitioner and then began
working alongside some of the best local plastic
surgeons in their clinic settings. “They influenced
me so much. They were down-to-earth with
their patients, spoke personably, and had an
artistic eye which really helps separate you in
this field.”
Eventually, when the opportunity presented
itself to partner with Dr. Runnels in opening
Skin Aesthetics in Madison, Jennifer felt ready
to take the leap. But the preparation to become a
business owner had actually begun when Jennifer
was young. She grew up in a family that owned
an electrical contracting business (which her
brother now runs) and saw their business ethic
in practice. “My parents were very driven and
always hands-on,” Jennifer reminisces. “They
taught us to work hard for the things we wanted
and to do work we were proud of.”
And she is very proud of the work done at
Skin Aesthetics. With a team that includes
multiple aestheticians as well as a nurse and
other vital support staff, Jennifer’s clinic offers
a wide variety of services - neurotoxins (think
Botox) fillers, facials, chemical peels, microneedling,
laser procedures, brow and lash
enhancements, as well as an array of effective
medical-grade products for men and women.
“Really the first thing we do is sit down with a
patient and listen to their concerns. Then we
work together to set realistic goals,” Jennifer
shares. Being trustworthy is a big deal at their
clinic. “We aim to educate a client before we
treat them. And we never try to talk anyone
into something they aren’t comfortable with.
Honestly, I try to be selective with what we
do with a patient and start with small steps,
teaching them that it’s a process of investing
in their skin,” she emphasizes.
Skin Aesthetics’ brand reflects that concern.
They are backed by a board-certified plastic
surgeon and use only FDA approved products.
Additionally, Jennifer is the only nurse
practitioner in Mississippi currently working
with the Allergen Aesthetic Management
Institute as a trainer who visits other clinics
and educates them on injections.
So, while Jennifer may not have ended up
nurturing babies as she’d imagined, her deep
concern for her clients has allowed her to flex
some of those same caring muscles. “I want
people to leave here feeling welcomed and
at-home. We have clients that range in age from
teenagers to their nineties. I love getting to know
my patients and many of them have become
close friends.”
And soon, Skin Aesthetics will have space
to welcome more new faces into the life of their
clinic. They are partnering with Watercolor
Salon, a well-known local hair salon, to offer
an even greater variety of services under one
beautiful roof. The new facility is scheduled to
open in The Village at Madison in 2026.
Although the space she works in will
eventually change, what her business has become
known for will not. Jennifer shares, “We pride
ourselves on being very ethical and honest, and
I think that’s what keeps clients coming back.”
46 • JULY 2024

What others had to say...
Jennifer is compassionate and an
excellent listener. She’s just as lovely
inside as she is outside. And the thing
that sets Skin Aesthetics apart from others
is the warmth and friendliness of all of the
staff. When I leave, I not only feel like my
skin has been rejuvenated, it almost feels
like a rejuvenation of my soul.
Peggi Usher
Long-Time Client of Skin Aesthetics
Jennifer’s success is due largely to her
commitment to providing the most effective
treatments in the areas of aesthetic health and
wellness to her clients. Her education and years
of experience as a surgical and cosmetic nurse
give her clients confidence in her decisionmaking
and technical abilities that are rare in
this day when social media presents everyone,
regardless of education, as an expert.
Dr. Scott Runnels
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
and Business Partner
Hometown MADISON • 47

Diane
Melanie McMillan
Neyland
Outgoing and energetic, local builder
Diane Neyland has been in the workforce since
she was 16 years old. Born in Dallas and raised
in Jackson, Diane graduated from Murrah High
School. “I have always loved working,” she says,
“and I’ve worked lots of different jobs in my life.”
After college, Diane went to work in the
consumer education department of Litton
Industries, where she oversaw 50 employees,
all women. “There came a day when I was told
that I would have to lay off the majority of my
staff. I couldn’t do it, so I chose to resign,” Diane
says. Several of the women that Diane worked
with signed up for real estate courses when they
lost their jobs. “They encouraged me to take the
courses with them. I was reluctant at first but
ended up loving it. When I passed the real estate
license exam I thought, ‘Now what?’”
Diane went to work for a small real estate
company and was put in charge her first weekend
on the job. A people person by nature, being a
real estate agent was a great fit for Diane, and
she loved the work. After a few years with the
same company, Diane decided to take a leap of
faith and open her own agency. She built the
business and eventually was representing five
different builders. “The father of one of the
builders mentioned to me on multiple occasions
that he thought I should become a builder.”
Diane didn’t pay much attention to it at first.
“I was not at all interested but after a while I felt
that God was telling me to take the contractor
licensing exam. I decided to sit for the exam
one time, thinking I wouldn’t pass. I really just
wanted to be able to say to God that I tried. My
plan was to just keep doing what I was doing.”
To her surprise, Diane passed the exam,
and in 1996, after 12 years in real estate, she
began her new career as a builder. “It took me
two years to build a home on my own,” she says.
“During the first part of my building career,
I would have multiple homes in progress in
Rankin and Madison counties. It didn’t work
for me because I wanted to be hands on with my
projects, and couldn’t be in two places at once.”
At that point, Diane made the decision to focus
solely on Madison, which has been her home
since 1993.
Diane laughingly says that she went from
“suits and heels to mud boots” when she made
the leap from realtor to builder. “It can be a
tough job,” she says, “and there aren’t a lot of
women who do it. But if you love it, it’s very
rewarding. It can be stressful at times, like when
a house doesn’t sell as quickly as I would like,
but for me the good times outweigh the bad.”
Neyland has built homes all over Madison
and says that the design process is her favorite
part of the job. “The design of the home is the
most important thing,” she says. “The homeowner
is paying for every square inch of that
home, and it’s important to me that there not
be any wasted space.” Attention to detail is key,
which is why she oversees every aspect of the
project, rather than leaving it up to the subcontractors.
“I love everything about building a home,
and I’m so glad I get to do this right where I live,”
Diane says. “I’m currently building a home right
next door to where I live, which I have to say, is
a pretty great commute.”
Diane is active in the Madison community,
from political organizations to organizations
that promote the home-building industry.
In her free time, she enjoys ballroom dancing,
gardening, and home decor. “The best advice
I ever received was to never give up and keep
pushing forward,” she says. “I really do try to do
that in my career and in life, because I believe
God has a plan for everyone.”
48 • JULY 2024

What others had to say...
Working with Mrs. Diane on our first custom
home was a dream. The quality of work
and attention to detail was second to
none. I truly feel that our experience with
her wasn’t just about building a structure,
but also about building trust, reliability,
and peace of mind on every aspect.
Kimberly N.
Reunion Resident
Diane and I have been friends and worked
together (myself as a home designer and she
as a builder) for over 35 years. She has the
biggest heart of anyone. She’s the most caring,
honest, creative, and hardworking woman that
I know. I’m honored to call her my friend.
De’Dee M.
Home Designer
Hometown MADISON • 49

Enjoli
Sarah
Rein
Nolen
If accomplishment is a genetic trait, Enjoli
Nolen’s two daughters are headed for great
heights. Their grandmother, Enjoli’s mother,
worked in banking and retired as vice-president
after a 35- year career and had many distinguished
honors in financial consulting and business
development. “I couldn’t picture a different type
of life. My mom didn’t necessarily have to work
but she was always pushing and challenging
herself. I think because she was always so involved
in her community, that it came naturally for me.”
While her parents were not together, Enjoli
regularly would spend extended periods of time
with her father, who was a professional athlete.
“I would get on a plane as a child and go stay with
my father for the summer. It was an exciting
world of professional athletes and celebrities,
but home was in Hattiesburg with my mother.”
After attending Southern Miss, where her father
had been recruited to play ball decades earlier,
Enjoli began her career in banking but soon
switched to financial consulting for medical
practices. Meanwhile, she and her husband, Mike,
decided to start a family right away. While they
welcomed two daughters, McKenna and Isabella,
Enjoli continued working and thriving. Thinking
back on raising her girls while working, Enjoli
recounts, “I’m a very hands-on mom and never
missed my girls’ events. They know Mike and I
support them 100% and they are very driven
individuals themselves.”
In 2016, their family moved to Jackson and
Enjoli began working as a business development
manager for an office supplies company. Then,
in 2019, a colleague introduced her to Cratin
Luckett, the president, CEO, and lead attorney of
Luckett Land Title with the suggestion that the
two might be a great fit. Cratin was immediately
impressed and offered her a job the same day.
As the director of business relations and
over marketing, Enjoli loves her job and believes
whole-heartedly in the company’s value. “We
provide outstanding customer service and have
a lot of loyal business. People like knowing they
can find consistency and trusted commitment
when working with us.” Enjoli serves as a liaison
for the Madison the City Community Partners,
Gluckstadt Business Alliance, Ridgeland
Chamber, Flowood Chamber, & Rankin County
Chamber of Commerce.
Luckett Land Title “Madison” is in the heart
of Madison on Main Street across from Burgers
& Blues. Luckett is a part of several real estate
developments in Rankin County- including a
partnership in the Lakeland Landing Development
in Flowood that included the Park Place
Cinema, which is newly renovated and open.
Luckett looks forward future potential growth
throughout Madison County.
After enjoying job opportunities during her
career, Enjoli has found a place she calls home.
“I hope to retire from Luckett,” she smiles.
In addition to her career and her family,
Enjoli enjoys being involved in civic organizations-
as every woman interviewed for these
articles. She is on the board of directors for the
Mortgage Bankers Association of Mississippi,
current president of the Junior Auxiliary of
Madison County, active member of the Junior
League of Jackson, immediate past chair of
“Best Dressed Jackson” for the American
Cancer Society, along with numerous other
chaired events. Enjoli has been recognized for
her involvement by being named Ridgeland’s
Diplomat of the Year and nominated as a top 50
under 40 in business for Mississippi in 2019.
Perhaps her greatest pride though is in her
family. “I just can’t imagine loving my kids any
more,” she raves when talking about her girls.
Unsurprisingly, both are excelling- McKenna is
a recent graduate in business administration
with a minor in journalism from Ole Miss and
has accepted a career in finance. Isabella is now
a sophomore at Ole Miss majoring in biology/
pre-dental, with a minor in American Sign
Language. Isabella was also named as 2024
Ole Miss Most Beautiful, and is the current
Miss Madison County Volunteer and will
compete for the state title of Miss MS Volunteer
in July. And while it’s possible there is a genetic
component to their success, it is more likely that
her girls will simply be imitating the work ethic
and community spirit of their grandmother and
mother as they carry on the family legacy.
50 • JULY 2024

What others had to say...
Enjoli Nolen and I became fast friends
and neighbors when we moved to Madison
County three years ago. Her husband
and family, we consider our family. I have
observed Enjoli’s tireless efforts to put
back into society with her tireless work
ethic. Our founder, Les Lampton Sr, always
lived by the mantra – ‘if you put back in what
you take out, the world will be a better place.’
I have personally witnessed Enjoli’s efforts
as well as her family’s efforts in this regard.
Thank the good Lord we have folks willing
to continue to be a resource. On any given
Saturday or Sunday, she is headed out of
our village to accomplish these tasks for
the community. Having seen this, I can only
imagine how valuable she is in her ‘day job!’
J. Baxter Burns
President of Ergon Asphalt & Emulsion
I have had the pleasure of knowing Enjoli for
three years in her role as business relationship
and marketing director for Luckett Land Title, Inc.
She works tirelessly in this role and, because of
her focus on community in the greater Jackson
area, she is a natural fit in this position. Her
outgoing personality and creativity, in addition
to her ability to think outside the box, has been
a real asset to the company over the past several
years. Her focus on family, in addition to her
professional drive, is admirable and to be
commended. We are extremely fortunate to
have her as a member of our team.”
Cratin Luckett
President, Luckett Land Title
Hometown MADISON • 51

Audrey McCarty
Sarah Rein
Every business is unique, as is the story of
how its owner came to acquire or build it. Or, in
the case of Audrey McCarty and The Bridal Path,
it’s a bit of both.
If you’re a native Missisippian, you’ve likely
heard of The Bridal Path. For over fifty years,
the boutique has served the southeast’s brides in
their search for the perfect wedding dress. So,
when Audrey McCarty’s life path intersected
with the business, The Bridal Path already had its
own rich legacy in the state. And so did Audrey.
Her family’s roots in Madison could not run
any deeper. She graduated from Madison Public
School District where both she and her younger
sister met their future husbands, her mother is
an alderman, and her sister teaches at Madison
Middle School. Audrey practically glows with
pride when she speaks of her family to whom she
attributes the success she is now experiencing.
Her father came from humble beginnings and
began his career installing TV towers before
wisely using his expertise to foresee the need for
mobile phone towers. “He has wild stories of
getting dropped off by helicopter at high altitudes
and spending the night in a snow cave. And,
through extremely hard work, he retired having
built a publicly traded company. And my mother
is the same way - she stayed home with us and was
all in with everything we did. My whole family is
that way,” Audrey shares.
The work ethic modeled by her parents was
something she embraced early. She remembers
selling friendship bracelets and operating a snow
cone stand from her driveway with the goal of
donating the proceeds to an animal shelter. “I bet
we really thought they were going to name part
of the shelter for us!” she laughs. Along with her
drive, Audrey has a palpable love of people. “My
preschool teacher told my mother she thought I
52 • JULY 2024
would be the director of activities on a cruise ship
when I grew up,” she giggles. “I love making sure
everyone is happy and taken care of.”
When she decided on fashion design and
merchandising as a major at Mississippi State,
her mother, Janie, encouraged her to think
specifically about what she might want to pursue.
She told her mom she thought she’d like to eventually
own a bridal store, and Janie’s advice was
to try it out. Through a series of connections,
Audrey was able to begin working at The Bridal
Path her freshman year during holiday and
summer breaks. Eventually, her sister Amelia
was also hired, and the girls were given increasing
responsibilities. “They started taking us to market
and giving us the opportunity to be really
involved, which we are still thankful for.” And
then the owners mentioned to Janie that they
were thinking of selling and wanted to know if
she and the girls were interested. Audrey and her
family had to have some serious discussions about
whether the timing and opportunity even made
sense. She was still in her senior year at MSU, and
it wasn’t as though they’d be taking the reins at
any run-of-the-mill retail store. The Bridal Path
was a Mississippi treasure but needed the upgrades
and modernization any aging store would.
In the end, they chose to trust the Lord with
the timing and in 2018, two days before her
graduation from State, Audrey, her sister Amelia,
and their mother Janie, became the third set of
mothers and daughters to own The Bridal Path.
And while Audrey recognized that the store’s
look needed updating, she began by learning the
business and designing the experience she wanted
their customers to have. Audrey shares, “It’s a
bridal salon so of course our customers want it to
be perfect, and we do too. But I’m always
amazed at what focusing on customer service
and caring for others does regardless of the color
of the paint on the walls.”
Eventually, however, they did tackle the
aesthetics of the store before deciding to switch
locations entirely. They brought the same
boutique Mississippi has known and loved since
1969 to their beloved hometown of Madison in
2023. The Bridal Path has gotten the ultimate
makeover while retaining the nostalgia that has
endeared it to generations of brides. They offer
the largest selection of bridal gowns in the
southeast in addition to gowns for mothers,
bridesmaids, flower girls, and accessories.
In-house alterations and steaming are also
offered as well as an option for cleaning and
preserving the dress afterwards.
Though Audrey is a young businesswoman,
she takes very seriously the responsibility she’s
taken on. “It never gets old to think about how
important it is that someone would come to you,
trust you, and choose you to be part of one of
their greatest life memories,” she reflects.
“Technically I sell wedding dresses, but I’m
really helping give the bride a vision. I tell her
that I want her wedding day to feel like the best
birthday party she’s ever had - when she gathers
with all the people she loves, with all the colors
that make her happy, in her favorite dress.”
So, while the title of bridal boutique owner
sounds far different than the prediction her
preschool teacher made all those years ago,
Audrey is still getting the opportunity to bring
joy to the people she crosses paths with daily.
“It’s special to be able to look back and see how
my parents raised us and realize that I get to
have this sense of purpose and feel like I’m
making a difference in people’s lives.”

What others had to say...
Audrey is patient, kind, genuine, level-headed,
and she absolutely loves people. She is very
fashion forward and has a great eye for detail.
She loves making sure every customer feels
beautiful, confident, and special in their dress.
The store has absolutely flourished under
Audrey’s leadership. We have amazing
employees who love what they do, and
Audrey is their biggest cheerleader.
Janie Jarvis
Mother and Co-Owner
of The Bridal Path
Audrey is a remarkable young entrepreneur
with a wealth of knowledge for anything and
everything bridal. She amazes me everyday
with her eagerness to serve our customers.
If you’re in her care, you are in the best
of hands.
Trinity Bancroft
The Bridal Path Employee
Hometown MADISON • 53

Trisha
Dr.
Melanie McMillan
Patel
Finding Art in Your Smile. That’s the motto of
Signature Smiles, Dr. Trisha Patel’s dental clinic
located in Gluckstadt. Raised in Ridgeland,
Dr. Patel always knew she wanted to come back
to Madison County to settle down. A graduate
of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Patel earned
her bachelor’s degree from the University of
Miami, and then entered dental school at the
University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Her first job after finishing dental school in
2018 was with a dental practice in Clinton. “I
practiced there for five years until the clinic was
sold to a corporation,” Patel says. “Gluckstadt is
my home, and it was important to me to work
where I live, so when the Clinton clinic was sold,
I knew the time had come to go out on my own.”
Signature Smiles has been open for a year
and a half, and Dr. Patel and her staff offer a full
range of dental services for all ages, including
preventative care and cleanings, fillings,
extractions, whitening, and cosmetic dentistry,
among other services. “We are very family
oriented, a true hometown dental clinic where
the whole family can see the same dentist,”
Patel says. “I focus on the person and the
individual needs of each patient. I believe in
establishing a relationship with the patient and
understanding his or her needs and goals in
order to provide the best care. I’ve had patients
who hated smiling because of their teeth.
Listening to what they want to see when they
look in the mirror, and then helping them
accomplish that is very rewarding. Giving
patients the confidence to smile is one of the
best parts of my job.”
Dr. Patel appreciates working where she
lives for many reasons, but being able to get to
the clinic quickly should the need arise is a huge
plus. “If a patient has an urgent need after
hours, I’m the one they call. It’s one of the
hallmarks of our practice. We are truly invested
in our hometown, where our patients are also
our neighbors. I love meeting people through
my work, and getting to know them and their
families.”
As a successful professional who has
navigated college and career decisions, Dr. Patel’s
advice to young people who are contemplating
their future is to try on different careers and see
how they fit, so to speak. “Whatever career
you’re considering, one of the best things you
can do to see if it’s truly something you would
like is to shadow someone in that field,” says
Patel. “You don’t know a profession until you’re
in there seeing what they actually do. You’ll
either see that you enjoy it, or you’ll learn that
it’s not for you. Either way, you’ve gained
experience and learned aspects of the job you
can’t get just from college courses. It’s never a
waste of time. I would also say don’t base your
career choice on income potential alone. It’s not
just about the money. You can make all the
money in the world but you won’t be happy if
it’s not a job you enjoy. You have one life so make
the best of it.”
Dr. Patel’s husband is also a medical
professional. He works at Mississippi Baptist
Medical Center as a certified registered nurse
anesthetist. The couple’s first child, a son named
Kiran, was born earlier this year, welcomed by
their rescue dogs Hank and Sawyer. The couple
is blessed to have both of their families living
close by as well.
Away from work, Dr. Patel enjoys traveling,
playing tennis, skiing, and spending time with
her family. She is an active member of the
Junior League of Jackson and also involved
with the Gluckstadt Madison Business Alliance.
Although she has many hobbies, art is her
passion. “I’ve always loved art and working with
my hands,” she says. “Watercolor, acrylic, crafts
- I enjoy it all. Patel has created many works of
art, some of which she’s given as gifts, and many
that she has sold. All of the paintings gracing
the clinic walls are her originals, which makes
the clinic motto Finding Art in Your Smile very
fitting.
It’s been said that if you find a job you love,
you’ll never work a day in your life. This seems
to be true for Dr. Patel, who clearly enjoys her
work, genuinely cares about her patients, and
loves her hometown. “I strive to treat my patients
as I would want myself or my family to be
treated,” she says. “We’ve put down roots in
Gluckstadt, and I’m excited to see what the
future holds for our community.”
54 • JULY 2024

What others had to say...
Almost a decade ago, Trisha and I became
close friends while studying dentistry at the
University of Mississippi Medical Center.
I was immediately drawn to how Trisha puts
her whole heart into everything she does
and encourages those around her to do the
same. From watching her build a dental
practice for her community to becoming a
loving mother, she has shown her passion
and unyielding drive to be helpful to those
around her. Sometimes I wonder how she
manages to wear so many hats, and yet she
continues to surprise and inspire me with her
zest for life. I have had the joy of watching
her put that same energy into patient care at
her practice, Signature Smiles of Gluckstadt.
I am blessed to call her my friend and am
excited to see what hat she puts on next!
Dr. Delta Stout
Friend and Colleague
Trisha is an extraordinary woman who fulfills her
roles as a wife, mother, and business owner with
incredible grace. Her drive and professionalism
in her career are matched only by her nurturing
care and unwavering support at home. She
continually amazes me by always learning and
doing new things, while also finding ways to give
back to our community. Her dedication to personal
growth and her compassion for others are truly
remarkable. She is a source of strength and
inspiration for everyone around her.
Caleb Leach
Husband and CRNA
Hometown MADISON • 55

Natalie
Sarah Rein
Baten
We all have that one neighbor with the “fun”
house - the one with the loud, laughing parents
and boisterous kids. That was the house Natalie
Baten grew up in. Their parents were younger
than most, and she was the oldest of three
children. She and her two younger brothers
played a variety of sports, and the family was
always traveling between ballfields, the movies,
and parties. She spent a happy childhood in
Lexington, Mississippi, and then the family
moved to Kosciusko for her dad’s job when she
was in high school.
She decided on MSU for college and
majored in chemistry. After that, she went on to
nursing school and, upon graduating, began a
ten-year career in the field. During that same
time, she had three children before turning
thirty and family life got increasingly busy.
Natalie and her husband, who is a physician,
decided that her current schedule was not the
best fit and began considering alternatives.
They both love coffee and her husband
would often joke about purchasing the drivethrough
shops they frequented. And then, one
day, the girl serving their morning coffee
informed him that they were, in fact, for sale if
he was serious. The Batens didn’t take long to
decide that they were. They purchased three
shops in 2012 and then re-branded to the
now-popular Mocha Mugs in 2014 and opened
their fourth shop in July of 2023.
With no business background, Natalie set
out to learn about their new venture. “There was
a huge learning curve. I knew absolutely nothing
about payroll or bookkeeping. I just figured it
out as I went.” Her younger two children, who
are only thirteen months apart, were just one
and two when the couple purchased the shops.
And owning your own business, as anyone who
has ever done so will tell you, comes with its own
unique challenges and blessings. “It allowed me
the flexibility to go to school plays and ball
games. But then you don’t leave it behind at the
office; it is with you twenty-four hours a day.”
She now has a 7th and 8th grader at
Jackson Prep, along with another that has just
graduated from Prep and will be attending the
University of Mississippi this fall. Her boys are
involved in several sports, and her daughter
especially loves to shop! Her husband works long
hours, so family trips are considered sacrosanct.
They try to take at least one big trip a year and
spend all year planning it. Each member of the
family gets to pick an activity to do during their
trip as well.
Natalie takes her responsibility as a business
owner seriously. Mocha Mugs chose not to close
at all during COVID and she saw how grateful
her fifty employees were. Some of them had
parents who lost their jobs and their income was
a true help to the family during that time. “It
made me feel so good to provide that security
for our employees’ families. I think it also meant
a lot that we provided a small taste of normalcy
for our customers. During that time, a hot cup
of coffee and a smile meant a great deal.” Mocha
Mugs’ loyal customers would likely say that it
still does.
56 • JULY 2024

What others had to say...
I have known Natalie for twelve years and
worked with her since she established
Mocha Mugs. Natalie and I still maintain a
friendship today just as we did the first day
I met her. We have always worked well
together and often joke that great minds
think alike. She is a hard worker and always
willing to go out of her way to help in any
way possible. She is very kind and compassionate.
Natalie always puts others before
herself, and she truly cares deeply about
others’ feelings. She is a true inspiration to
me and someone that I will always hold
dear to my heart.
Anna Busby
Personal Friend
First, Natalie is very organized. Our business,
Remus Corporation, an accounting and tax firm,
has compiled financial statements, tax returns
and business consulting for Natalie for about
12 years. She has a strong business sense and
welcomes ways to serve her customers. Second,
Natalie is a true lover of coffee. Many times, she
tells me about meeting with her team to come up
with new drinks and options for customers. She
has such creativity and I love watching it. This is
what makes Mocha Mugs coffee like no other in
the area. She is constantly investing time and
love into her products. Third, Natalie has a gift
of hospitality. She enjoys serving others and
lights up as she talks about her employees and
business. She truly loves to serve others with
excellence. Last, Natalie has a strong sense of
community. She appreciates her customers,
and it shows through the people she hires
and the drinks she offers.
Rachel Remus
Remus Corporation
Hometown MADISON • 57

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58 • JULY 2024

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Hometown MADISON • 59

Death by Chocolate
• 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• ½ cup high-quality
unsweetened cocoa
• 1/3 tsp. salt
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/3-1/2 cup fudge sauce for swirling
• 1 cup chocolate chunks, chopped,
for swirling
Place a 9x5 inch loaf pan in the
freezer to chill. Whisk sweetened
condensed milk, vanilla, cocoa,
and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a
separate chilled mixing bowl, beat
whipping cream on medium-high
until stiff peaks form. Gently fold
into condensed milk mixture. The
chocolate color will be lighter after
adding whipped cream, but don’t
worry, it will have lots of chocolate
flavor. Pour half the mixture into the
prepared pan. Spoon half the
chocolate fudge sauce over the top.
Sprinkle half the chocolate chunks
over the top. Using a butter knife or
metal skewer, swirl the fudge sauce
and chocolate chunks into the ice
cream mixture. Repeat with the
second half of the ice cream mixture,
fudge sauce, and chocolate chunks.
If desired, sprinkle additional
chocolate chunks on the top layer.
Cover with plastic wrap, and freeze
at least six hours or overnight.
Peppermint
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp. kosher salt
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1 tsp. peppermint extract
• 1 drop of red food coloring
(optional)
• ¼ cup crushed peppermints
(about 8 mini candy canes)
plus more for sprinkling
In a medium saucepan over
medium heat, cook cream, milk,
granulated sugar, and salt, stirring
often until it starts to simmer at the
edges, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from
heat. In a medium bowl, whisk egg
yolks until smooth. While whisking,
ladle in about 1 cup hot milk. Pour
mixture into saucepan. Reduce heat
to medium-low and cook, stirring
constantly, until thick enough to
coat the back of a spoon, 3 to 4
times. Pour through a fine-mesh
sieve into a large bowl. Stir in
peppermint extract. Add a small
drop of food coloring, if using, and
whisk until combined. Add more
if needed. Churn in an ice cream
machine according to instructions.
Once thick, add peppermints
while machine is running. Serve
immediately or, for a harder texture,
scrape into a loaf pan or baking pan.
Sprinkle with peppermints, tightly
cover, and freeze at least 4 hours or
up to one week.
Homemade Vanilla
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tub of cool whip
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla
• ½-gallon milk
(depends of freezer size)
Mix first five ingredients until
smooth. Empty into ice cream
maker container. Add milk to the
fill line on container. Make as
directed on ice cream maker.
Watermelon
• 2 cups cubed watermelon
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• ¼ tsp. vanilla extract
Place all ingredients in a blender
and blend until smooth. Pour into
a loaf pan and freeze for three hours.
Remove mixture from loaf pan and
blend again. Pour back into loaf pan
and freeze for another hour.
Serve and enjoy.
60 • JULY 2024

Peach-Blueberry
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• ¾ cup granulated sugar, divided
• 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 3 cups fresh peaches, peeled
and chopped
• 1½ cups heavy cream
• 1½ cups whole milk
• ¼ cup light corn syrup
• ¼ tsp. kosher salt
• 5 large egg yolks
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
Cook blueberries, ¼ cup sugar, and
lemon juice in a medium-size,
heavy-bottomed saucepan over
medium-high, stirring occasionally,
until berries begin to burst and liquid
begins to thicken, 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool for
30 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Cover
and chill until completely cool, at
least 1 hour or until ready to use
(up to 1 week).
Process chopped peaches in a food
processor until almost smooth
(applesauce consistency), leaving a
few chunky bits, about 30 seconds,
set aside. Stir together heavy cream,
whole milk, corn syrup, salt, and
remaining ½ cup sugar in a medium
saucepan, and cook over medium
heat, stirring occasionally, just until
mixture begins to simmer (bubbles
begin to form around the outside
edge of pan), 5 to 6 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together egg yolks
and vanilla in a large bowl. While
whisking yolk mixture constantly,
carefully ladle about 1 cup of hot
cream mixture into yolk mixture;
continue whisking until cream
mixture is fully incorporated.
Carefully whisk in remaining hot
cream mixture. Pour custard mixture
back into saucepan, and cook over
medium-high heat, whisking
constantly, until mixture begins to
thicken and coats the back of a spoon,
6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat,
and let cool for 10 minutes.
Stir pureed peaches into custard.
Pour mixture into a gallon Ziplock
bag. Seal and place in an ice bath. Let
stand until mixture is completely
cool, about 30 minutes. Pour mixture
into a 1½ quart electric ice cream
maker, and proceed according to
manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer
to an airtight, freezer safe container;
freeze until slightly firm, about 30
minutes. Dollop blueberry mixture
over ice cream, and swirl with a
spoon. Cover and freeze until firm,
at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
Strawberry
• 1 pint of strawberries (blended)
• 2 cans Eagle Brand sweetened
condensed milk
• 1 small box of strawberry Jell-O
• Milk to line on freezer
In a large bowl, mix first three
ingredients until smooth. Pour into
ice cream machine container. Add
milk to fill line on container. Freeze
according to manufacturer’s
directions.
Red Velvet
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• Red food coloring
• 6 oz. cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups crumbled store-bought
or homemade red velvet cake
In a large bowl, whisk first six
ingredients. Slowly add food coloring
until desired color is reached (keep in
mind that color will lighten after ice
cream is churned). Refrigerate until
well chilled, at least one hour or up to
three days. Meanwhile, freeze bowl of
ice cream maker according to
manufacturer’s instructions. In a
medium bowl, using an electric mixer
on medium-high speed, beat cream
cheese and powdered sugar until
smooth.
Stir chilled ice cream base and add
to ice cream maker. Churn according
to manufacturer’s instruction until
base is creamy and smooth and the
consistency of soft serve.
Spread about 1/3 of ice cream in a 9x4
loaf pan. Dollop 1/3 of cream cheese
frosting over and gently swirl into ice
cream. Sprinkle with 1/3 of red velvet
cake. Repeat to make two more layers.
Tightly cover in plastic wrap and
freeze until solid, at least six hours.
Keto
• 2 (15oz.) cans coconut milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• ¼ cup Swerve confectioner’s sugar
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of kosher salt
Chill coconut milk in the fridge at
least three hours, ideally overnight.
Make whipped coconut: Spoon
coconut cream into a large bowl,
leaving liquid in can, and use a hand
mixer to beat coconut cream until
very creamy. Set aside.
Whipped Cream
In a separate large bowl using a hand
mixer (or in a bowl of a stand mixer),
beat heavy cream until soft peaks
form. Beat in sweetener and vanilla.
Fold whipped coconut into whipped
cream, then transfer mixture into a
loaf pan. Freeze until solid, about
five hours.
Hometown MADISON • 61

w i t h a
Southern Cuisine
New Orleans Flair
Lunch Specials Monday-Friday 11AM-3PM
Daily Happy Hour 3PM-6PM
Sunday Brunch 11AM-2PM
Dinner Menu is Available Daily
1 0 0 M e r c h a n t S t . M a d i s o n , M S | ( 6 0 1 ) 7 9 0 - 1 8 0 1 | h a l f s h e l l o y s t e r h o u s e . c o m
Our fully equipped survey crews and technicians
provide quality services across the Southeast.
Services
Hydrographic, Topographic & Geodetic Surveys • Mapping
Subsurface Utility Engineering • LiDAR (Mobile, Aerial, and
Terrestrial) • Boundary Surveys • ALTA/NSPS Land • Title Surveys
Photogrammetric Control • Construction Layout
Legal Descriptions • Plats • ROW Surveys
62 • JULY 2024
CAD Tech 3D Modeling Formats
Carlson • AutoCAD • Microstation • Geopak
Chris Pesnell | cdpesnell@maptech-survey.com
601.622.0768 | www.maptech-survey.com

Hometown MADISON • 63

Mississippi-Based Ergon Inc.
Celebrates 70 Years in Business
SUSAN MARQUEZ
Based in Flowood, Mississippi, Ergon’s corporate umbrella continues to be family-owned and
operated as it celebrates its 70th year in business. The company serves industries essential to global
manufacturing and infrastructure by delivering innovative products and service solutions to customers
in more than 90 countries worldwide.
It’s a story that began in 1954 with Lampton Oil Company, founded by Leslie Lampton, Sr. Truly
epitomizing the “Greatest Generation,” Lampton served our country in two wars and returned home
to build a company that would grow steadily and strategically into a well-diversified global operation.
Lampton was a man of honor and integrity who put his family, his faith, and his employees above
all else.
Lampton started the company with a few thousand dollars, two employees in a one-room
building, and a used truck that delivered fuels to local construction companies and crude oil drilling
sites. It wasn’t long before the company began trucking fruit to market and started a barge
transportation business.
64 • JULY 2024

In 1977 Ergon began construction of a fuel refinery in Vicksburg.
The refinery opened the door for the asphalt business, followed by
entry into specialty products, expanding with the addition of
another refinery in West Virginia in 1997.
Today Ergon has over 3500 employees located around the
world offering a wide variety of products and services. The company
has four distinct business segments to address different needs.
The Energy & Specialty Solutions business segment includes the
world’s leading manufacturer of specialty products to improve the
performance of products people use around the world every day.
The Pavement & Coating Resources companies offers asphalt
solutions that extend the life of roadways around the world. Road
construction and maintenance products are distributed throughout
North America, as well as roofing and industrial commercial
applications.
Moving and storing products is just as important as processing
them. That’s where Ergon’s Integrated Services & Logistics business
segment comes in, with companies essential to the manufacturing
supply chain. In addition to handling logistics of purchasing and
transporting crude oil products to domestic and international
markets, companies within the segment also provide mid-river
supplies on the Mississippi River and deliver propane to homes
and businesses throughout the Mid-South. Ergon’s exploration
and production companies have been involved in exploration
and development for over fifty years.
It’s easy to see that Ergon has established an impressive global
presence through a wide variety of businesses. While the company’s
horizons have expanded over the past 70 years, its mission has
always remained the same–to meet needs, support families, and
serve customers.
“I am incredibly proud to be a part of such an amazing
business family that has been dedicated to providing high-value
solutions and exceptional services for the past 70 years,” says
Kris Patrick, president and CEO of Ergon Inc. “We look forward
to innovating news ways to ensure we are the world’s preferred
partner for progress for the next 70 years.”
Hometown MADISON • 65

66 • JULY 2024
Ergon
70th Anniversary Celebration
MAY 1 • CORPORATE OFFICES

Hometown MADISON • 67

68 • JULY 2024

Hometown MADISON • 69

Circle
of RED
The American Heart Association’s
signature initiative, Go Red for Women ® ,
is a comprehensive platform designed to
increase women’s heart health awareness
and serve as a catalyst for change to
improve the lives of women globally.
While the majority of cardiac events can
be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the
leading cause of death in women, claiming
the lives of one in three women.
For 20 years, Go Red for Women has
encouraged awareness. The movement
harnesses the energy, passion, and power
of women to band together and collectively
wipe out heart disease. It challenges
them to know their risk for heart disease
and take action to reduce their personal
risk. It also gives them tools they need
to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red
for Women movement is nationally
sponsored by CVS Health, with additional
support from national cause supporters.
For more information,
please visit GoRedforWomen.org
70 • JULY 2024
Circle of Red is a society
of passionate individuals
who are in the fight against
heart disease and stroke
in women to win.
This year, in honor of the
100th birthday of the
American Heart Association,
our goal is to have 100
Circle of Red members.
The “Power of 100” is the
name of this initiative and
we invite you to be a part
of this group.
In communities throughout
the United States, Circle
of Red members use their
influence, generosity, and
passion to help increase
awareness of cardiovascular
disease – the leading cause
of death in women – and
to inspire women to take
charge of their health.
Circle of Red members are
leaders in their communities
and families. For many
members, the fight against
heart disease is personal.
As some of our greatest
champions of the Go Red
for Women movement,
our Circle of Red members
not only help save lives,
but they are the heart of
our mission.
Why Join Circle of Red?
As a member, you are a
champion for women’s
health. Members enjoy:
• Special social events and
VIP experiences both
locally and nationally,
with a national holiday
experience in December
• Exclusive mission updates
• Recognition as a
Circle of Red member
• Membership in a
meaningful community
of women
Join us and become a part
of an exceptional group of
women.
For more information
on joining, please contact
Go Red for Women Director
Katherine Byrd at
Katherine.Byrd@heart.org
or call 601-321-1211.

Abby Brann
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center
Alissa Hebert-Wallace
Veterans Health Administration
Allison Muirhead
Allison Muirhead Photography
Amanda Fontaine
Mississippi Association of Broadcasters
Amanda Keith
Blog, Red Lips and Vino Sips
Ann Barnes
Prime Care Nursing
Anne Cross
Netlink Voice
Dr. Ardarian Pierre
UMMC
Betsy Latham
Betsy Latham Fine Art
Brenda Barron
Professional Staffing Group
Brian Johnson
FBB Insurance
Carla Kirkland
The Kirkland Group
Carolyn Boteler
TempStaff
Dr. Carolyn Erwin
Dr. Catherine Lowe
Jackson Heart Clinic
Cindee Herlocker
Edward Jones
Cindy Carraway
Carraway Construction
Connie Siggers-Parker
Comcast
Crystal Moore
Dr. Danón Garrido
Advanced Vascular & Vein Associates
Dr. Debbie Minor
UMMC
Debra McGee
BankPlus
Dr. Dotie Jackson
MS Premier Plastic Surgery.
Elee Reeves
First Lady of Mississippi
Emily Speed
Speed Commercial Real Estate
Dr. Erica Bass
MS Premier Plastic Surgery
Gail Manton
Gail Manton Florals & Special Events
Holly Lange
Holly Lange MS
Jamie Higdon
TempStaff
Hometown MADISON • 71

Jamie Woods-Dull
AllPro Clean
Jan Collins
Madison County Business League & Foundation
Dr. Janet Harris
UMMC Professor Emeritus
Janie Jarvis
The Bridal Path
Dr. Jeanne Calcote
University of Mississippi School of Nursing
Jeannie Robinson
EMC Insurance Companies
Jennie Simmons
Simmons Erosion Control
Jennifer Boydston Johnson
Roberts, Bridges & Boydston
Jennifer Hall
Baker Donelson
Dr. Jerrick Rose
LaCour Kitchen and Bar
Jimmy Blackwood
Johnson & Johnson
Dr. Joyce Wade-Hamme
Tri-County Pulmonary Sleep
Dr. Julia Thompson
Merit Health Heart
Karen Roberts
ProTel, Inc
Kathy Smith
City of Flowood, Alderman Ward 2
Dr. Kellan Ashley
UMMC
Kim Stonecypher
Stonecypher Consulting, LLC
LaDonna Northington
UMMC
Lance Davis
FORVIS
Laura Moore
Baptist Primary Care
Laura Smith
Trustmark
Laurie Cutrer
TempStaff
LeAnne Brewer
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company
Libby Sims
Professional Staffing Group
Lin Bobbit
Liz Torricelli
Children's Advocacy Center of MS
Lori Sanders
BankPlus
Maggie Clark
Maggie Clark Media Services
Mallory Hemphill
NewSouth NeuroSpine
Melody Prisock
Mike Fink, Inc dba Cock of the Walk Restaurants
Meshelle Rawls
Foundation for the Mid South
Dr. Michael Maples
MS Baptist Medical Center
72 • JULY 2024
NOT PICTURED: Carol Lowe, Dr. Elizabeth Chastain, Jason Calhoun, Patty Zipp

Michael Parnell
United Healthcare
Mike Barkett
Mindi Kern
The Winning Smile
Missy McMullan
Misty Gaskamp
Dolly Chic' Boutique
Natalie Latham
Community Bank
Dr. Natasha Hardeman
Lakeland Premier Women's Clinic
Pam McGee
Compliance Advice & Training Solutions
Pam Ware
First Commercial Bank
Patty Clark Peder Johnson Rachel Geimer
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance
Rebecca Haas
Talking With Toddlers, Ltd
Rebecca Martin
Prudential
Dr. Rebekah Moulder
St. Dominic's Family Medicine
Rhonda Moore
Moore's Pharmacy
Robbie Barnes
PriorityOne Bank
Rochelle Thompson
American Lung Association
Samantha Lofton
Barnett's Body Shop
Dr. Sandra McCearley
Jackson Heart Clinic
Sandy Stonecypher
Shannon Warnock
MS Department of Child Protection Services
Sharon Jernigan
CABI Clothing
Sheila Morrison
Morrison Weldingl, LLC
Sheramie Shore
New York Southern Style
Tammy Phillips
Community Bank
Teresa Boutwell
GI Associates
Dr. Teri Dyess
St. Dominic Hospital
Dr. Terica Jackson
Baptist Premier
Tina Clay
State Farm Insurance Agent
Tina Lakey
Dr. Vonda Reeves
GI Associates
Whitney Allen
Mississippi Sports Medicine
Dr. Yolanda McElroy
M3A Architecture, PLLC
Zanette Sexton
New York Life Insurance Company.
Hometown MADISON • 73

74 • JULY 2024

Metro Area Events
Hometown MADISON • 75

76 • JULY 2024
Discover Northpark’s Community of
Local Business Owners!
Explore the heart & soul of Northpark
through our Shop Local Spotlight.

33 Locations
To Serve You!
BRANDON EAST
1140 Oak St., Brandon
601-591-4145
BRANDON ON 80
1370 W. Government St.
601-256-6949
BYRAM
6773 Siwell Rd., Byram
601-373-4303
BYRAM PARKWAY
101 Handly Blvd.
601-202-9779
CLINTON
517 Springridge Rd., Clinton
601-924-8822
CLINTON 2
478 Springridge Rd., Clinton
601-924-5837
CLINTON EAST
203 Johnston Place, Clinton
601-925-5151
CLINTON NORTH
5703 US 80, Jackson
601-968-0980
CROSSGATES
100 Westside Cv. Pearl/Brandon
601-932-3636
DOWNTOWN
304 S. State St., Jackson
601-352-3644
FLORA
698 Hwy. 49
601-524-7500
GERMANTOWN
358 Church Road, Madison
601-898-0100
GLUCKSTADT
317 Distribution Drive, Madison
601-898-9747
GRANTS CROSSING
551 Grants Crossing, Brandon
601-919-8006
LAKELAND
4600 Lakeland Dr., Flowood
601-936-4646
LUCKNEY
842 Luckney Rd., Brandon
601-824-3293
METROCENTER
4565 Lynch St. Ext. Jackson
601-923-9806
NORTHTOWN
42 Northtown Dr., Jackson
601-977-1124
OLD FANNIN
1197 Old Fannin Rd.
769-233-2242
SOUTHWEST
9305 W. Hwy. 18, Raymond
601-372-4809
Additional locations
can be found online!
Opening Soon!
StorageMax Flora
Climate Controlled Expansion
698 Highway 49
Flora, MS 39071
601-524-7500
www.StoMax.com
Hometown MADISON • 77

SALUTE
to First Responders
EMT
Amy
ROBERTSON
PAFFORD EMS
What made you decide to work as a first responder?
My original goal was to become a firefighter, which I did for a short
period of time. I realized, early on, after going on medical calls at the
fire department, that I might be even better suited to work on an
ambulance. So, I made the switch. I love helping people, especially
when they may feel most vulnerable. I have absolute job satisfaction.
It’s rewarding work to know that you can help someone as well as
comfort them in a time of need.
How long have you been with Pafford EMS?
Since February of 2022. I started as a driver while I earned my EMT
certification through Pafford. My next goal is to become a paramedic.
Pafford has been a wonderful company to work for. I consider myself
very lucky to be a part of the Pafford team. It takes everyone on this
Pafford team to get the job done.
Tell us about your family.
I am so blessed when it comes to my family. My mom, dad, and sister
have always been beyond supportive of me in every way imaginable.
Both parents are currently loving their retirement life while my
sister and I continue our careers doing what we love (she is a school
counselor). I have two amazing grandmothers who I love more than
I could ever express. I have a wonderful life partner who I just couldn’t
imagine living life without. We spend our days raising an amazing son
who I just love watching grow. I couldn’t be happier.
What is the toughest thing you have experienced
in your job?
I’m sure many would assume the hardest part of this job is seeing
people pass from this life on a regular basis, and that holds true for me.
But more than that, it’s seeing the families of those who have passed.
You accept it as part of the job. At the end of the call, you have to be
ready for the next one. I just always hope that the loved ones left
behind can find some peace with what has happened.
What are three things on your bucket list?
First, I want to go skydiving. I’m terrified and also thrilled by the
idea. Second, I want to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter,
which shouldn’t surprise anyone that knows me. Third, I want to visit
and hopefully volunteer one day at an elephant sanctuary. I have an
unexplainable connection and love for elephants, and I want to
experience their presence as much as possible.
SPONSORED BY
78 • JULY 2024

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
The thing I enjoy most is spending time with family and friends.
Life gets so busy, so when I have a chance to catch up with my
favorite people, I definitely take advantage of that time. I also enjoy
reading (actually re-reading Harry Potter). I love soccer and have
recently picked up fencing with my work partner whenever we get
the chance. As summer approaches I also plan to spend as much
time outside as possible!
Who is someone you admire and why?
It’s hard to pick one person, but I definitely admire my mom.
I’ve only ever known one other person as genuinely kind and full
of love as my mom, and that person is HER mom (Mimi). Shoutout
to my sweet Mamaw too! My mom (as well as my dad) has always
loved and supported me fully. My mom would do anything to help
anyone. She’s always there if I have a random question. She’s there
for a hug. She’s there to listen. She LOVES to make sure I’m fed,
and she’s happy to feed anyone else, too. She does so much to make
sure her family is taken care of. She’s the strongest person I know.
What advice would you give to a young person?
Don’t ever give up on yourself. To say it is simple, but it can be so
hard. I was in my late 20s before I figured out what I was going to
do with my life as far as a career. I had plenty of struggles that had
nothing to do with making a living as well. Life can really seem to
kick you around at times and sometimes it’s just hard to keep
going. But the answers you may be looking for can come out of
nowhere. Be open to opportunities and possibilities because you
just never know.
What is your favorite thing about Madison County?
The people I work with. Yes, I’m referring to my fellow Pafford
employees, but I’m also talking about all the other important and
necessary people that show up to these 911 calls. I always know
when I show up to a call that the fire department and police
department will do whatever they have to do to save a life or
help anyone in any way. Each of these men and women do
their jobs so well.
Hometown MADISON • 79

World-class biblical education.
Right here in your hometown.
ONE OF THE BEST-KEPT SECRETS
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1880 E. COUNTY LINE RD. RIDGELAND, MS 39157
SUPPORT OUR MISSION: WBS.EDU/GIVE
80 • JULY 2024

Hometown MADISON • 81

TheTime COIN
Camille Anding
It was a verse in the sermon text that stayed with me
on the way home and later in the day.
I was familiar with the verse, but like so often in reading or hearing God’s word, a new revelation will open up to me
from a verse I’ve read for years. “For God’s invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been
clearly perceived…in the things that have been made.”
There it was – proof that a Creator must exist for all the evidence we see and experience in the world around us. Yet,
how thankful I am that I don’t have to seek and search for that Creator. I was born into a place and time that already
knew Him, so I was blessed at a very early age with the awareness of who He was and is. When I learned to read, I could
further understand more about God in the pages of the Bible.
When I look into the vastness of the heavens and study the cloud patterns, I remember that “the clouds are the dust
of his feet.” On trips out west, I have marveled at the magnitude of the rocks and their immovable steadfastness. I’m
always reminded that “the Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.”
The variety and strength of trees cover the earth for all to see and know of a Creator. I see a tree and think about the
“tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain
green, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
I’m reminded of God’s power and majesty when we travel through mountain ranges – “The mountains quake before
Him and the hills melt away.” The book of Jeremiah helps me to see God when I stand looking into the expanse of the
ocean – “who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar – the LORD Almighty is his name.”
Wind is an invisible and mystifying arm of nature along with fog and lightning that I know I would
question their source, but God’s word gives their origin: “He causes the vapors to ascend from the
ends of the earth; Who makes Lightnings for the rain, Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.”
Water is a necessary commodity for all life and one that I seldom consider. Yet it’s a scientific
marvel – made up of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms and the only common substance
to exist as a solid, liquid, and gas naturally. I confess that whenever I quench my thirst with a cold glass
of water, I seldom give its properties or importance a single thought. The Bible speaks of Living Water
that can quench spiritual thirst – that thought crosses my mind often when I pray for those exhibiting
no thirst for the Water of life.
How could anyone give scientific explanations of life in the womb without the inclusion of a Creator?
The human egg before fertilization is 0.1mm in diameter. A pinhead is 1.5mm. Consider that for a moment
and the miracle of that microscopic cell developing into a baby.
Surely those remote tribes of people isolated from scientific knowledge witness childbirth and
realize there must be a higher being. Even though I have access to endless knowledge concerning life,
I have access to God’s word that tells me “He formed my inward parts; He knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”
Seeing should be believing, but God’s word is confirmation.
82 • JULY 2024

Hometown MADISON • 83