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 | Rev. Dr. L. Franklin Fant
Pastor
Dr. Franklin Fant was born and raised in Columbia, SC. He graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Financial Management and from Florida State University with a Ph.D. in Finance. Dr. Fant is a Chartered Financial Analyst, and was formerly a Certified Public Accountant. He has worked in the private and government sectors, as well as in academia, in Columbia, SC, Durham, NH, and Washington, DC.
In 1999 Franklin received an unmistakable and undeniable call to the pastorate. Soon thereafter he moved his family to Decatur, GA to begin studies at Columbia Theological Seminary. Upon graduation in 2004 he accepted a call to Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church.
Franklin enjoys music, reading, cooking, watching college football, and (very infrequently) salt water fishing. He is married to the former Mary Christine (Christi) Harley of Spartanburg, SC and they have three delightful children: Mary Harley, Luke, and Tate.
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Rev. Alice Odell
Parish Associate
Alice was born in Beaver Falls, PA, and moved to Bonita Springs, FL, when she was 12 years of age. She graduated from high school in Fort Myers, FL, and attended Edison Junior College and then went on to Florida Technological University, now known as the University of Central Florida. She graduated with a B.S. degree in Biology and a certification in Respiratory Care. Alice worked as a Children’s Respiratory Care Practitioner at Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, FL. Alice moved to Columbia in 1985 where she took a job at Richland Memorial Hospital as director of the Children’s Respiratory Department until 2000, when she felt a call to the ministry. She did her first year at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbia and then moved to Richmond, VA, and graduated from Union Presbytery Seminary in 2004.
Alice was interim pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church for thirteen months and then Parish Associate at Eastminster for two and a half years before coming to Seven Oaks.
Alice serves on two ministries of the Presbytery. One is the committee on Preparation for Ministry and the other is TADD, the ministry for developmentally disadvantaged children of aging parents. She also serves on the board for His Promise Ministries and will be serving this ministry in Namibia, South Africa, in the coming months.
Alice is married to David Odell, who is manager of Biomedical Services at Lexington Medical Center, and they have two adult daughters, Jane, a graphic designer and instructor at Trident Community College, and Emily, a registered nurse. She and David enjoy camping and Alice enjoys reading for pleasure.
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 | Mrs. Betty Anderson
Administrative Assistant
Betty was born and raised in Columbia, SC and has been a longtime, faithful employee and member of Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church. She was hired in March of 1977 and has seen many changes and has contributed immensely to the growth and spiritual life of Seven Oaks.
She is married to John Anderson and she has two children and five grandchildren. Betty enjoys reading and traveling (when she can and if she could!).
There is a famous saying around here; if you want an answer to something about Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, “ask Betty.”
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 | Mrs. Sharon Staton
Administrator of Finance
Even though she has a full time job in the banking industry, Sharon has graciously volunteered to be our temporary Administrator of Finance. Sharon is married to Chris and they have two lovely daughters. She has been a member of the Seven Oaks family since 1990.
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 | Mrs. Becky Shumpert
Director of Preschool and Children's Ministries
Becky has been a Columbia resident for over 24 years, after having been born and raised in Greenville, SC. She attended Winthrop University followed by a career teaching elementary and middle schoolers in residential programs.
She has been married to her husband Lynn for over 18 years and they have two children and 1 grandchild. Becky and her family currently attend a local Methodist church.
Besides children, she loves reading, entertaining family and friends, shag dancing, gardening and volunteer work. Mrs. Shumpert began working at Seven Oaks in the Fall of 2006 and we are so thankful to have her, nurturing and teaching our precious children in a wholesome, Christian environment.
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Kate Morrison was born and raised in Statesville, North Carolina approximately 45 minutes north of Charlotte on I-77. She moved to Columbia to attend the University of South Carolina, where she is currently a junior, majoring in Religious Studies with a minor in English.
Kate was very active in her church and youth group while growing up. She attended presbytery retreats and the Montreat Youth Conferences regularly. She also served on her church and presbytery youth councils and in 2007 she attended the Presbyterian Youth Triennium. When she came to college, she became involved in the Presbyterian Student Association at USC where she continues to help lead bible studies and plan activities.
Kate loves to travel, a passion which she one day hopes to turn into a career as a missionary. She has traveled across the continental U.S. and Alaska, and has also been on mission trips to both Brazil and South Africa. She also enjoys watching sports where she cheers for the Boston Red Sox, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, the Carolina Panthers, and of course the South Carolina Gamecocks! Kate also loves listening to music of all kinds, but points out that her three favorite bands are The Beatles, U2, and Muse.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Gandhi
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 | Mrs. Alida Rawl
Director of Music
Ms. Rawl is a former high school choral director, private piano, and voice teacher. Her higher education includes a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of South Carolina. She has been our Music director since 1980 and joined the church in 1971. Her recreation activities all revolve around music.
Married to Mr. Billy Rawl, she has four children and two grandchildren.
"The Chancel Choir is a source of great joy and fulfillment," says Alida.
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Dr. Lloyd R. Pilkington
Organist and Director of Handbells
Lloyd and his family joined Seven Oaks in December 1998. In May of 2000 he became our Organist and Director of Handbells. His education includes a Bachelor of Sacred Music from Nyack College, an M.Ed. in Community Counseling from Winthrop University, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University. In addition to his work at Seven Oaks, he is currently a full-time Instructor in Psychology at Midlands Technical College. He has worked in private practice as a Counseling Psychologist, and has provided counseling services in both university and hospital settings.
Dr. Pilkington and his wife are also the founders of Words-4-Life, a ministry dedicated to bringing God’s Word to God’s people through weekly email devotionals. You may enjoy the latest issue in the Spiritual Journey>Weekly Devotional area of our website or the home page under Faith and Values.
Lloyd is married to Tina and they have two children, Mark and Nicole.
"It is a joy and privilege to serve as a worship leader with the dedicated and loving people of Seven Oaks. Together we ring and sing for joy!"
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 | Karl Thompson
Building Superintendent
Karl Thompson was born in Gilbert, SC, and still resides there. He enjoys spending time with his two kids, Damian, who is 10, and Haley, who is 7, and their mother, Angela. He also enjoys playing and collecting video games.
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 | Mrs. Sharon Watkins
Children's Choir Director
Sharon Watkins was born in Spartanburg, but her family finally settled in Martin, Tennessee. She got her Bachelor of Music Degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and her Master of Music Degree from the University of North Texas in Denton. She has taught public school music since 1981 and is currently the music teacher at Seven Oaks Elementary. Sharon has also served on the music staffs of several Presbyterian Churches, primarily directing children's and youth choirs.
Sharon is married to Ken, who is also from Martin, TN. They have one wonderful son, Will.
"Nothing is more fulfilling to me than helping young people 'Make a
joyful noise to the Lord' through music."
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Ms. Amy Schwartz
Childcare Coordinator
Amy is a longtime member of Seven Oaks, the daughter of charter members, Pete and Marty Spearman. She was born and raised in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Irmo High School. Married for 13+ years to her husband Larry, they have two fine boys. She has been involved for over 13 years in childcare at Seven Oaks and has been professionally employed at a child development center in the local area for over 10 years.
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