"Pastor Jan"
Pastor: Rev. Jan Stewart Tolbert
A native of Randolph County, Alabama, Jan grew up in the town of Woodland. A graduate of Woodland High School and the State University of West Georgia, Jan taught science in the Fayette County Public School System for eleven years before entering seminary. She earned a Master’s of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in 1998 and is currently enrolled in Columbia’s Doctor of Ministry.
Jan’s first call to ministry was in 1991 to serve as an elder in the Newnan Presbyterian Church in Newnan, Georgia. During her senior year at Columbia, Jan began serving the Greenville Presbyterian Church in Meriwether County, and served that congregation for three years. From there she served as chaplain to the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation in Warm Springs, Georgia for four years. In February 2004 Jan was called to serve as pastor of Carrollton Presbyterian Church.
Jan is married to Jerry Tolbert, a Coweta County native. Jerry is also an ordained elder in the PCUSA and an active Habitat for Humanity volunteer and board member. As a family they enjoy travel, reading and music.
"Mary"
Director of Christian Education: Mary Woodfin
Mary grew up in a military family, living all across the US and overseas. Her family settled in Carrollton when Mary was 14. Her best years were spent in the Carrollton Presbyterian Youth Group. She graduated from West Georgia College in 1980 and began her teaching career. She continued her education, earning a Masters degree and a Specialist degree from Jacksonville State in Alabama. Mary taught elementary school for 22 years and served as an administrator for 9 years. Mary retired in June, 2011 from Douglas County School System.
Mary rejoined Carrollton Presbyterian Church in 2004 and sings in the choir. In 2008, Mary was called to be an elder where she served as Shepherd Group chair. When the church began a search for a Christian Educator, Mary willingly served as chair of the search committee. After two months of searching, Mary answered God’s call to apply for the job herself.
Mary is married to Mike, has two step-children, and six grandchildren. Mike and Mary enjoy camping, playing golf and tennis, and traveling.
"Cory"
Director of Music: Cory Speakman
Cory lives and breathes music and adds a great deal of energy and passion to our music program here. When we asked him about his work here, he said, “I am very excited and honored to be the music director at CPC. My goal is to continue to build the music ministry through increasing the numbers in the choir, having a strong children’s music program, and bringing in other instruments to support the music, including the handbell choir!”
Cory was born and raised in Lawrenceville, GA. He was the youngest of 3 brothers and went to Berkmar High School in Lilburn, GA. Cory graduated in 2007 magna cum laude from the University of West Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in music education. He’s currently the choral director at Callaway Middle School. He’s a member of the LaGrange Civic Chorale and LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Chorus in LaGrange.
Cory has a long history with CPC, starting in 2005 when he began singing with our choir.
In the summer of 2009 he was appointed Children’s Music Director. He’s been doing a fantastic job directing our church choir since March 2011.
"Vicki"
Office Manager: Vicki Fisher
Vicki came to work at CPC on August 3, 2009. Although born in Oklahoma, she has lived in Texas, New Mexico, and Arkansas as well. Vicki, her husband Gary, and their daughter, Charissa moved to Douglasville in 1988 from Arkansas due to an economic recession in the state. Vicki’s sister and family had made their home in Douglasville, which drew them to the area, where they now have a large extended family. The major part of Vicki’s working career has been in the banking industry, primarily in commercial lending administration. She also worked as a Financial Secretary for the First Methodist Church in Douglasville and as Office Manger for Wells Fargo Real Estate Group in Atlanta. Vicki’s foremost desire is to perform her job at CPC to the best of her ability, while striving to be a blessing to its members and an instrument for God.