The People in the Pew

Sandra has been a cherished member of our church family for more than 40 years. She loves serving others, whether it’s helping in the kitchen, assisting with the Chinese Auction, or making sure everyone enjoys a meal at Vacation Bible School and our beloved Christmas Breakfast. Sandra’s dedication is unwavering, she is always ready to lend a hand wherever needed.

This is more than a church to Sandra, it’s family. Her husband grew up here, her children grew up here, and over the years, she has built countless wonderful memories within these walls. We are so grateful for Sandra’s heart for service and her enduring love for our church community.

Meet Betty, a true Dacusville treasure.

Born and raised just down the road from our little church, Betty has spent her life planted deeply in this community. Every Sunday, you can find her right where she’s always been: faithfully sitting in her family’s pew, worshiping with the people she loves.

Over the years, Betty has lived through more than most, natural disasters, surgeries, cross-country moves following her longtime military husband, and through it all, she’ll tell you she survived by the grace of God. And in His perfect timing, God led her right back home to Dacusville.

These days, Betty has “retired” from serving on boards in the church, taking a less active role, but she certainly hasn’t slowed down. She’s become the church’s unofficial recruiter, inviting everyone she meets to come join us. She’s an active part of our grief group, a tireless advocate for the community, and a true force of nature in helping our church grow.

To know Betty is to love her and to be inspired by her faith, her heart, and her unshakeable commitment to this little corner of the world we all call home.

We are thrilled to introduce one of our newest members, Thomas Clint Bailey, known to many in the community as Clint Jones, along with his wonderful children. Since joining our church regularly in July 2025, Clint has quickly become a cherished part of our community.
Clint has a heart for helping others and is always ready to lend a hand. Whether sharing food or support with someone in need, he strives to make a positive difference wherever he can.

He has found a welcoming home in our church, where everyone has embraced him without judgment and celebrated the person he is today. Clint is grateful for the support, care, and encouragement he’s received and looks forward to growing with us in faith and community.
Outside of church, Clint enjoys skateboarding, playing guitar, hiking, and spending time with his kids. Family is everything to him, and he cherishes every moment with Araynna, Xander, Xena, and Josie, always striving to be the best father he can be.

We are so excited to have Clint and his sweet kids as part of our church family. Their warmth, kindness, and positive spirit are a blessing to our community, and we can’t wait to see all the ways they’ll continue to touch the lives around them.

The Klecks’ claim to fame? Their very first day visiting DUMC just happened to be Pastor Underwood’s first day too. When they introduced themselves and mentioned it wasn’t their first time visiting, the pastor laughed and said, “Oh wow! Mine too!” And just like that, a shared “first day” turned into years of faith, friendship, and faithful service.

Lisa has poured her heart into our church in countless ways, helping with Kairos women’s ministry, faithfully baking our communion bread, and always being ready to bake for whatever meal the church may need. If there’s a need, Lisa is already thinking about how to help.

Jeff is one of those steady, behind-the-scenes servants you can always count on. You’ll see him holding the door and greeting Sunday attendees with a smile, or stepping in to pick up the communion plate whenever a spot needs to be filled, serving wherever he’s needed.

And fun fact: the Klecks are also the reason the Mulligans began attending our church, after meeting them on a night out on the town. Proof that God can use even the most unexpected moments to grow His church.

We are so grateful for the Klecks, their faithfulness, their generosity, and the way they make everyone feel welcome. 

When John and Mary McCain moved to Dacusville in the 80s, they had no family nearby, but Mrs. Mac invited them to church, and from that very first Sunday over 40 years ago, they were welcomed as if they’d always belonged. Mary laughs that “everyone in the church was related,” yet they were embraced instantly and never once made to feel like outsiders.

They raised their four children, their daughter, Cris, and three boys, Sean, Austin, and Joshua, in this church family. John led the Boy Scouts, helping guide a generation of boys, including two Eagle Scouts, while both were active in the schools and community. Both John and Mary worked at Furman, and together they and several children had the chance to further their education there. Their home has always been lively, with seven grandchildren, two cats, and two “old lady” chickens.

Their service continues today: John as trustee and in the men’s group, Mary, the church powerhouse, in worship planning, choir, UWF (treasurer), finance, children’s worship, VBS, cooking, event planning, PPRC, and as lay leader to Annual Conference. If something needs doing, a McCain is there.

Faithful, steady, and always willing, John and Mary found a home where they least expected it and have poured their hearts into the church that first opened its arms to them.

If you don’t already know the Mowbray’s, you are missing out on one incredible and fun-loving family!

Meet Tom, leader of the United Methodist Men, faithful servant, cheer dad, band dad, and (apparently…) a professional skydiver in his spare time! 🤣🪂

And let’s talk about Rosie the strong and steady heartbeat of the family! She keeps everyone going, shows up with joy, and makes sure the Mowbray crew is shining, supported, and serving wherever God places them.

Tom comes from a strong legacy of faith. His parents, Anne and John, have been longtime members of Dacusville UMC, and their family continues to bless our church in countless ways.

The Mowbray girls keep life exciting:
Annabelle – cheer champ & always ready to preach when God calls her
Elizabeth – band star with a heart full of kindness

Both girls are known for sharing Jesus in their schools and friendships, and we couldn’t be prouder of them!

Help us celebrate this amazing family who brings love, service, joy, and energy to our church family every single week.

The Mulligan Family!

Justin, Kierstin, and their girls, Vera and Aliva, are excited to put down roots and be part of a church that truly feels like home.

Justin is easygoing, dependable, and the steady anchor of their family, always ready to help and happiest around good people and good conversation.

Kierstin is warm, organized, and loves making sure everyone around her feels cared for. She’s passionate about learning, connecting, and building a home filled with love and faith.

Vera and Aliva bring all the joy, curiosity, noise, and wonder to the family. Always exploring, always learning, always keeping life fun.

As a family, they love being together, growing in faith, and supporting their community. They’re grateful for the welcome they’ve already received and can’t wait to get to know everyone better.

If you’ve been in worship at Dacusville, chances are you’ve been blessed by Kay Stokes’ music.

Kay has been part of AUMC her entire life and began playing the piano there at just 12 years old, a gift she has faithfully shared ever since. When the two churches joined choirs, Kay began playing at DUMC, and in 2009, she officially started playing for Dacusville.

Beyond the piano bench, Kay stays deeply involved in church life. She serves on the Worship Committee, the Planning Team, and is an active part of United Women in Faith. Her heart for worship and service is evident in everything she does.

Outside of church, Kay enjoys curling up with a good book, and lately she’s been spending her creative time working on diamond art crafts.

We are so grateful for Kay’s lifelong faithfulness, her musical gifts, and the many ways she continues to serve our church family.

Meet the Wyatts, one of Dacusville UMC’s sweet, lively, never-a-dull-moment families!

Adam is an assistant manager at Table Rock, and when he’s not at work you can probably find him fishing, hunting, or making memories with his girls. He also has a big heart for service. He participated in Kairos Prison Ministry in both the spring and fall of 2025.

Paige (aka the unofficial Dacusville Animal Rescue Hotline) works in insurance, loves being outdoors, and has a serious soft spot for anything with fur, feathers, or a heartbeat. Owls, dogs, cats, turtles… you name it, she’s brought it home at least once.

And while she jokes that they basically run a zoo… she’s not entirely wrong. The Wyatt Zoo Crew:
Blaze – a wise-but-still-speedy 13-year-old Border Collie
Smokey – their 7-ish-year-old rescue Lab with a heart of gold
Two feisty cats – who run the household and have the dogs fully convinced of their royalty

Mom is always ready to jump in and help however she’s needed around the church, and we’re grateful for her servant heart.

Harper, their kindergartener, lights up every room she walks into. She loves acolyting and has never met a kid she couldn’t turn into a friend. Even if she’s bashful for about 2.3 seconds, she’s quick to welcome anyone to sit with her.

Together, the Wyatts helped create our Acts 29 Group, a place for busy adults, working parents, and folks “doing real life” to connect and grow.

We are so thankful for this fun, faithful family and all the ways they help Dacusville UMC feel like home.