Congratulations on being chosen as the Faces of Newton
TRUDY HENRY
Covington-Newton 911 Director
TRAVIS MOORE City of Covington Council Member
BLAKE AND AMBER MCNEIL
NECE MARTIN-LACKEY
BRYANT AUTRY
MEREDITH BILES
NANCY BURGESS
DUANE FORD
KARMA FOUCH
BILL HORNE
CASSANDRA JENKINS
ANDREA LANE
DR. LISA MILLER
MICHAEL PATTERSON
MARCUS POLLARD
JIMMY TANNER
AVIS WILLIAMS
KAYLA ZIELINSKI
THANK YOU for your contributions to our citizens and our community.
Bryant Autry
Meredith Biles
Nancy Burgess
Duane Ford
Karma Fouch
Trudy Henry
Bill Horne
Cassandra Jenkins
Nece Martin-Lackey
Andrea Lane Amber and Bill McNeill
Dr. Lisa Miller, MD
Travis Moore
Michael Patterson
Marcus Pollard
Jimmy Tanner
Avis Williams
Kayla Zielinski
Index of Advertisers
Animal Medical of Covington City of Covington
City of Porterdale
Complete Tire and Automotive
Covington Police Department
Kiwanis Club of Covington
Linda Hays
Merryvale Assisted Living
Newton County Board of Commissioners
Newton County Sheriff’s Office
Newton Federal Bank
Oxford College of Emory University
Pat Astrin Reality
Piedmont Newton
Snapping Shoals EMC
Bryant Autry The Pride behind everything Eastside
By Garrett Pitts
For many years now, Bryant Autry has been one of the more recognizable faces in Newton County and on the Covington Square in particular.
Autry, who graduated in the county, has been a young man of many trades and interests, but there is one common goal.
According to Autry, he’s got one thing he absolutely loves to do.
“Make people smile,” Autry said. “I like to make them happy.”
If you are on the Covington Square, you may see Autry has many of the different locations and shops.
Autry frequents the square on his bicycle and has been known to even bring his own guitar to play on one of the corners.
When he is not playing the music himself, Autry enjoys watching his favorite band, Chris John Scott, perform in numerous local venues.
Whether it is in Amici’s, City Pharmacy, Trendsetters or Lucky Day, Autry’s face is a welcomed one by many store owners downtown.
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Out of all the local shops and restaurants, Autry tabbed Social Goat as his favorite.
Autry’s impact on the city is felt throughout his volunteer work, too.
He has been known to volunteer at J.C. Harwell & Son Funeral Home and has frequently picked up trash within the city and even regarded it as one of his favorite hobbies.
Another familiar spot for Autry is at Homer Sharp Stadium, where he leads the Eastside High School student section in their game day chants to get the crowd hyped up for Eagles’ football.
This became a game day ritual for Autry and the Eagles, dating back to when he was a student. Autry graduated from Eastside in 2019 and has made an effort to be there in person for the Eagles’ home games since.
His passion for Eastside goes beyond football, too. Autry has been known to cheer on the Eagles in all of their sports, including volleyball, baseball and more.
Outside of Eastside, Autry is a big fan of Georgia Tech and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Along with that is his love for the Atlanta Braves and the game of baseball. Autry named Ronald Acuna Jr. as his favorite player.
Along with watching baseball, Autry plays it, too.
Autry competes in Miracle League and has been known for his home run ball. When he has competed in Miracle League, Autry has been known to “call his shot” before home runs and is always working to get the crowd into the game — as he does at Eastside football games.
Autry’s impact in Covington goes beyond just being a familiar face.
In 2021, Covington’s City Council proclaimed Nov. 16 — Autry’s birthday — as Bryant Autry Day in the city of Covington.
As Autry continues to make his impact on the city and its people, the goal is always the same — making people smile.
Meredith Biles: A trailblazer in Newton County public safety
By Evan Newton
Meredith Biles is slowly but surely becoming a trailblazer in the Newton County community.
A 2011 graduate of Loganville High School, Biles almost immediately knew her calling after graduating high school. Just like her parents, she wanted to be in public service.
Biles realized that calling in 2017 when she joined Newton County Fire Services. She reached heights that few have reached, becoming one of the first female firefighters to become a lieutenant.
While Biles recognized the significance of this distinction, she sought not to make too much out of it, rather stating it was about making her family proud and serving her community.
“That just made me proud, that I could make my parents proud and make my family proud,” Biles said. “Firefighting is still male dominated, Not as bad as it was, you know, in the 70s, [but] it is a very male dominated field. So, you know, being able to be promoted, or being lucky enough to be promoted, was a sense of satisfaction that maybe I’m doing something right and that people see something in me, that they think that I can make a difference within the department.”
But Biles’ commitment to public service is not
Nancy Burgess
Helping children in need for nearly 50 years
By Evan Newton
stopping there. Currently, she is set to graduate from nursing school in December with the goal of becoming a firefighter and a nurse at the same time.
Biles said she got the interest from nursing from her wife who also is in nursing school. With the current structure of her firefighting schedule, Biles thought she could do more to help serve the public.
“We do 24 hours on and then 48 hours off [at the fire station],” Biles said. “A lot of us kind of have that time, and we try to support our families the best we can. So I worked for Piedmont Newton EMS, and really enjoyed that. And, you know, my wife kind of taught me and said, ‘Hey, you should go to nursing.’ So that’s kind of how it all started.
Helping children succeed is the essence of what Nancy Burgess does.
Burgess is the executive director of A Child’s Voice child advocacy center, a role she has served in since 2008.
After growing up in Social Circle, Burgess went off to school at the University of Georgia, obtaining her bachelors degree in Home Economics. But she knew very early on that she wanted to come back to her community.
“I wanted to come back to my community and see what I could do to help families,” Burgess said in a video posted to A Child’s Voice’s Facebook page.
That is exactly what Burgess did, joining the Walton County Department of Family and Children Services in 1975 and remaining with them until her retirement in 2008.
But Burgess knew she was not done serving those who needed her help the most. That was when she made the move to A Child’s Voice, where she serves kids in both the Newton and Walton county areas. Continuing her work with children in her community was very crucial to her, even after her first retirement.
“But as I have progressed into nursing school, it just feels right. It feels like I get to not only help someone in an emergency setting, but I can actually kind of go a little further and help them in the hospital.”
Now a full-fledged Newton County resident, Biles hopes to continue to serve others in her dual role as a firefighter-nurse and help out as much as she can.
But on an everyday level, Biles looks to continue to spread kindness and empathy.
“I hope that [my purpose] is just to make a difference,” Biles said. “And I think that doing small things can matter, you know. It matters to people. It doesn’t have to necessarily be an emergency, but treating people with kindness, treating people fairly, [because] you really just don’t know what people are going through right now.
“I’m actually doing my clinicals for nursing school at Piedmont Newton, and I’m in the ER, and just kind of seeing the different side of that. People are coming in and they’re sick and they need help, and just kind of being able to be compassionate for people. I mean, that’s just really the biggest thing. I think that community is about coming together. You know, individual people working together. And I think that you know, for the bigger puzzle, we all have to be pieces.”
“Working in my home community has always been important to me,” Burgess said. “I want to help children and their families in one of the most difficult times in their lives to move forward and become productive citizens in our society rather than become victims of their circumstances they were forced to endure.”
Burgess said that her idea behind helping children who come from unideal circumstances stems from the support she got in her own home. She wanted to relay that strength to others that may not have had the same fortune as her.
“I think my strong family who was always willing to help others inside and outside our family is what made my career choice,” Burgess said.
As Burgess is coming up on 50 years in her career field, she hopes to leave a lasting impact on the children she works with so that they can have a shot at making their own impact on others.
“I hope my legacy is a strong child advocacy center that helps children in their most difficult time to move forward and become productive citizens in this community.”
Duane Ford: Creating the love of outdoors through Newton Trails
By Garrett Pitts
Duane Ford’s impact in Newton County has been happening for almost a decade through Newton Trails.
Newton Trails is a non-governmental, volunteer not-for-profit organization that works on building, sustaining and elevating trails in the county. Ford serves as the Chair for the Newton Trails board and has been a pivotal figure in increasing both the quality and number of trails in Newton County.
According to the man himself, a good trail is unbeatable.
“There’s nothing like a good, quiet, beautiful trail,” Ford said. “Because, you know you can walk on sidewalks, but there is traffic and people. When my wife and I were looking for southern communities to move to when I retired, one of our criterias was that there needed to be a trail.”
Ford was first introduced to Newton Trails when he began to take part in their sponsored group hikes.
“I started going on those every week and got to know some of the people, got invited to join the board and it’s become a labor of love since then,” Ford said. “Trails do a lot for a community. They promote health and well-being, mental health perhaps along with physical health. They promote economic development, tourism, and just sort of a coolness factor. People want to live in places where
there are the kinds of amenities that make the quality of life good, and a trail adds to that.”
From there, Ford became the representative for Newton Trails on the board with Newton County Tomorrow when the previous chair had stepped down.
Although his introduction to Newton Trails came when he moved to the area, Ford’s love of trails is longstanding.
“I grew up in a family of four boys and my parents enjoyed hiking,” Ford said. “Many Sunday afternoons we would spend in the state parks in Illinois — hiking the trails and just enjoying being out there… I suppose that kind of became an interest and then I ran cross country in high school.”
During his time spent living in Missouri, Ford recalled hiking the Katy trail as well as hiking trails in Wisconsin.
“We got to enjoy trails up there, and just fell in love with the whole motion,” Ford said.
Ford’s love of trails have led to him getting more connected in the community through different organizations affiliated with Newton Trails.
For Ford, it has been a joy to see the trails community grow in Newton County since his time there.
“It’s been fun to watch the momentum build,” Ford said. “When I was first involved in Newton trails, we had paved — I think in 2017 maybe — that section of trail from Conyers Street to Elm Street in Covington. And then about a year or two later,
we paved a very short section in Mansfield, and that was done kind of strategically — just to lay out a piece of the trail and get people to start thinking about what that old Georgia Central railbed could be. Then, slowly over time, momentum built for paving the rest of it and getting it completed and it’s just been unbelievably amazing how many people in organizations have stepped up to contribute to the completion of the trail.”
Looking ahead, Ford is excited with the developments at the Alcovy River Bridge and the Cricket Fog Trail.
“The Alcovy River Bridge is a big deal. Newton County put in $400,000 and Newton Trails put in just shy of $600,000 we raised from grants and private donations to renovate the old Alcovy river railroad trestle into a modern, safe trail bridge. I figure that would be done in about a month. There has been a brief slow-up here from a slight problem but we’ll get over that and get it done. We will have a grand opening for that soon, that is exciting.”
Karma Fouch:
By Garrett Pitts
Pin Newton County
roviding the best skincare journey for people in Newton County is at the forefront for Karma Fouch and her business, Skindigo.
As someone who grew up in Covington, Fouch saw what self-care services were available for citizens of all skin-types and wanted to provide an opportunity to up the game. This led to Fouch starting her business, Skindigo, to provide solutions and wellness along with making people more knowledgeable about skincare.
“There were certain self-care necessities I saw a huge need for,” Fouch said. “I make every effort to patronize local massage therapists, nail artists, and small businesses in general, and saw that we were missing a great skincare spa that was skilled in treating skin of color and its unique needs.”
Skindigo provides a long list of skincare solutions and treatments. The company’s specialty skin services include chemical peels, feathertouch skin tag and mole removal and corrective facials. Fouch also spoke about the introduction of medspa services this fall, that will include medical weight loss and botox.
This journey for Fouch began at the Hogan Institute of Cosmetology and Esthetics, where she enrolled in 2017 in a class of only seven people. Today, Fouch now is a partner with the school that now features a class of over 30 people.
“This reflects every school in the nation. The influx of new students and professionals into the spa industry combined with the social media-driven imagery requires that your branding, skillset, KNOWLEDGE level, and business standards be top notch,” Fouch said. “I pride myself in staying ahead of the curve by constantly
refreshing my skills, being coachable, and maintaining healthy relationships with industry and community partners to bring the best experience to my students and clients.”
Fouch’s “why” goes far beyond just treating skin. Developing a connection with your clientele and making them understand more about skincare is a far larger goal.
“I’m naturally a nurturing teacher-type and recognize just how important it is to not only provide an amazing experience, but also to ensure that clients are knowledgeable about the care plans and treatments,” Fouch said. “I want to empower our clients to make informed decisions about their skincare journey and build relationships that stand the test of time as provider-client. Seeing my clients experience an enhanced self-image by successfully reaching their skincare goals is a fulfilled vision for me as a professional service provider.”
One part of making sure her clients are more knowledgeable about skincare is just teaching them how important it is as a whole.
“People actually forget that the skin is an entire organ! The integumentary system is the largest system in the body and gets the least consideration,” Fouch said. “A healthy skin system provides your first line of defense against the world and must be treated accordingly.”
For Fouch, the one that separates her business from others is the wide range of clients they are that have different skin-types.
In fact, this is something Fouch was intentional about along with networking and connecting within the community.
“I am Circadia certified to treat Fitzpatrick types 4-6 (Mediterranean-African tones), which means not only can I successfully treat Fitzpatrick 1-3 (Irish-German tones), I have taken the extra steps to learn how to properly treat skin that is at higher risk of damage from many commonly used devices and products,” Fouch said. “I also consider networking within my community to be vital to suc -
There is perhaps no one more difficult job in the world than that of a first responder. But for Trudy Henry, it’s not a job, it’s her lifetime career.
Henry, a near lifelong resident of Newton County, has been with the 911 center for over 30 years. She initially envisioned the college route when she left high school, but later found it was not for her.
“I left home and went to college in 1993. College and being away from home wasn’t for me,” Henry said. “I came back home and applied with the 911 center just to get a job until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life.
“I went through the hiring process, which seemed like it took forever. I was hired after four months of waiting. I started on day watch training in July of 1994. After six weeks of training they said I was ready to go to my shift, so I started working morning watch and never looked back.”
operations manager in 2003, something she claimed was her favorite position to date.
“Operations Manager was by far my most favorite position of all,” Henry said. “During that time I was able to help build a new 911 center and help with the implementation of a new radio system for the county. I learned so much and my love for the job at the 911 center grew immensely during this time.”
Now holding the pinnacle position of 911 director since 2019, Henry feels that the reason she has stuck around so long is because it is truly her purpose.
timately calling it quits – A new 911 center for her staff.
Henry stressed that this new building is “long overdue.”
“The 911 center employees deserve a building that has room for them to move around and be able to take a break when necessary,” Henry said. “They have a hard job and need somewhere nice, comfortable and a place they are proud to work in. Once I have this building built, I will feel my work in the county is done!”
By Evan Newton
Henry was promoted to team leader four years later in 1998, then to supervisor on morning watch until 2001 and then to evening watch. That move helped her achieve her bachelor’s degree in criminal justices from Mercer University.
Henry’s next career move was to
“I stay because I love what I do,” Henry said. “I like to think I have helped callers through the years, have impacted all of public safety in a positive way being here and provided and supported the 911 staff to meet all of their needs. I have had multiple opportunities to meet and work with amazing 911 professionals throughout the state, knowledgeable vendors with expertise in their areas of communications and have sat in the 911 center with some unique professionals and a couple who have become my best friends.”
But there’s one more thing Henry said she needs to complete before ul-
Ultimately, Henry hopes that she is remembered for her true dedication to the 911 center and the ongoing safety of Newton County residents.
“I hope people look back and remember me for my dedication to the 911 center. I always fight in favor of the 911 center while trying to please all public safety agencies we serve. The new 911 center that we are currently designing and soon building, will be for me, my biggest accomplishment. I have a grand vision and plan to see it come to life. I want people to know that I have put my heart and soul into the Covington – Newton County 911 Center.”
Bill Horne: Keeping Newton County safe on the road
By Evan Newton
Vehicle safety is of the utmost importance when traveling on the roads. Bill Horne, and his business Complete Tire and Automotive, hope to provide that level of safety for Newton County residents.
Complete Tire and Automotive has been in business for five-and-a-half years on Eagle Drive in Covington. The company offers an abundance of services including tire services, brake services, auto repairs, tuneups and oil changes, transmission inspections/repairs and more.
While not originally from Newton county, Horne said the decision to open his business in Covington was based on three crucial points.
“The decision was made based on opportunity, location and Divine intervention,” Horne said.
Horne said that the community
Cassandra Jenkins
A true commitment to helping others
feedback for his business has been positive, though he mentioned that it took a little bit of time for people to warm up to them.
However, community initiatives have helped progress the business to one that is honorable among Newton County residents.
“We try to support the school athletic departments with advertisements in the publications,” Horne said. “We also do our best to purchase locally in the way of parts and services.”
Growing up in Alamo, Horne always knew he wanted to do work in the automotive repair industry “in some form.” But as his career has progressed, his focus has turned to give those wanting to learn more about the automotive industry a chance to shine.
“It was the desire to give automotive tech’s an opportunity to learn
Cassandra Jenkins was asked about her true passion in life. Her answer? Helping people.
There are many ways that the Newton County native helps her community. Her day job is working as the executive director for Merryvale Assisted Living, where she has been the past four years.
While Jenkins makes her living off of that work, she noted that it never feels like a job to her.
“The best part of my job is being an advocate and a voice for the elderly and disabled,” Jenkins said. “I always say, ‘Merryvale is where Passion Meets Purpose,’ because it has never felt like just a job to me.”
When discussing her role, Jenkins noted the challenges she and her team faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the living facility has responded to adversity.
“The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the elderly, especially those in longterm care, as they faced months of isolation,” Jenkins said. “For some, electronic visits offered a lifeline, but for others—due to medical conditions or a lack of resources, this wasn’t possible. During that challenging time, it was crucial to me that residents and their families felt confident and trusted in the care being provided.
and grow in the industry the right way,” Horne said.
That realization has ultimately become what Horne hopes his lasting legacy is in Newton County and in the world as he continues to help shape the next generation of the automotive repair industry.
“[I hope that] Many young men and women develop mechanical aptitude and life skills that will make them productive citizens in the community and this Nation,” Horne said. “We believe that God has invested a great deal in us over our lifetime and He is looking for dividends on His investment.”
al events including the Back to School Drive and the Newton County First Responders Appreciation Celebration. She has also worked closely with the local homeless shelters and the Salvation Army.
This year, Jenkins is partnering with the YMCA to provide candy and sensory-friendly toys to Special Education students in Newton County Schools for Halloween.
“Anyone who knows me will tell you that I’m always busy, involved, and giving back,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins also fills her time by serving in a number of community inspired roles. She is a lifelong member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Covington, where she is the youth ministry leader, a member of the choir and co-chair of the pastor’s aide ministry. She also is a member of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce, the Eastside Senior Resource Network, the National Alzheimer’s Association and the Georgia Healthcare Association/Georgia Center for assisted living.
“My love for this community has always been a driving force behind everything I do,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins said she has no plans of stopping anytime soon when it comes to uplifting others and providing a hero’s spirit.
By Evan Newton
“Today, that commitment remains stronger than ever. I believe that trust and connection are the cornerstones of the care we offer at Merryvale.”
But Jenkins’ commitment to helping others runs deeper than her day job.
Jenkins has hosted a number of events designed with the intention of helping those that are less fortunate. She has hosted annu -
“It is my life’s purpose to help those in need, and I strive daily to live out that passion,” Jenkins said. My hope is that others will feel inspired to make a difference in the lives of those around them as well. I believe wholeheartedly in the idea that ‘it isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.’”
“So, let’s get busy and make an impact together!”
Nece Martin-Lackey: The ‘mayor’ of Springhill
By Evan Newton
Deep in the heart of Newton County, a close-knit community thrives in District 4 called the Springhill community. This community within a community features several long tenured citizens in the county, including Nece Martin-Lackey.
Martin-Lackey has lived in the Springhill community her entire life. In 2007 she purchased the house she grew up in from her mother and raised her family there. Nine years later, she purchased more land and built her forever home, solidifying her roots in the community that she calls home.
Around that time there was talk that the landfill located in the community was set to receive an expansion. This was something that many of the residents did not want to see.
“In 2016 we heard that a company (Greenhill) was coming in to expand the size of the landfill, we came together to fight for the health and beauty of the Springhill Community,” Martin-Lackey said.
Along the way, Martin-Lackey earned a distinctive nickname that has stuck with her ever since.
“That’s when the name ‘The Mayor of Springhill’ came into fruition,” Martin-Lackey said. “People from our community would call me to voice their concerns and I was not timid or
Aafraid to take their concerns to the Chairman or the Commissioner[s].”
The ‘mayor of Springhill’ took a public stand in giving back to her community and providing something that would last for generations. That’s when the idea of the Springhill Park was born.
Martin-Lackey said that she was insistent on the park’s completion, playing a pivotal role in every step of the way.
“My role in the process of getting the Springhill Park built was literally calling, texting and emailing our Chairman and Commissioner[s] to make sure that our community got what we
s Newton County’s largest medical care provider, Piedmont Newton has a full staff of medical professionals in all avenues. But outside of those directly in the medical field, Piedmont Newton also employs several key employees that focus on other various specializations.
One of those people is Andrea Lane, the director of community relations. In her role, Lane leads a team that focuses on keeping community engagement in mind.
“I strive to increase community awareness of important health topics and resources as well as career opportunities in health care close to home,” Lane said. “I have organized hundreds of health and wellness activities, ranging from community flu shot drives to health information-sharing events and educational opportunities through the Newton College Career Academy and local high schools.”
Originally from New Jersey, Lane moved to Covington in 2008 after graduating from Ohio State University. According to Lane, she wanted to step away from the “hectic lifestyle of the northeast.”
After serving in 20 years of management roles, she got her start with Piedmont Newton – then known as Newton Medical Center – in 2013 as director of volunteer services. She was introduced to the role by former hospital auxiliary president and current Newton Education Foundation member Loucy Hay.
well deserved after at least 40-plus years of only being rewarded with a very harmful county landfill,” Martin-Lackey said. “We had a numerous amount of meetings with people in our community voicing their concerns of not only the landfill but also the structure of our roads.”
Finally, in 2023 work began on the new Springhill park, with the groundbreaking taking place in July of that year. One year later, the park was officially opened, with a playground, walking trails, a community center and a discgolf course for the community to use.
During the opening ceremony, Martin-Lackey – coined as the ‘Mayor of Springhill’ – delivered an impassioned speech, signifying the importance of the new park.
“Our community is family,” Martin-Lackey said. “Most people are blood related but even if we’re not we consider each other as family.”
Martin-Lackey’s goal is to continue to be a shining light in the community that has been her lifelong home for many more years to come.
“I pray that I will leave a lasting impact in the Springhill Community for others to continue to fight for positive growth, a safe place to raise our children and that others will be inspired to educate themselves about the politics of Newton County,” Martin-Lackey said, “and how it affects their community which will motivate them to participate in county meetings and voice their concerns and their desires for their community.”
Now, Lane is on the frontlines for maintaining Piedmont Newton’s presence in the community. That could mean working with various educational organizations or working with prominent Newton County businesses.
Lane’s role also involves overseeing philanthropy projects.
“In partnership with the Piedmont Healthcare Foundation, I manage philanthropic programs that ensure critical needs of both the hospital serving the community and the community at large are met,” Lane said. “My team helps the hospital reach its fundraising goals and has brought in more than $500,000 since my start in 2013. These funds benefit all areas of the hospital.
“I also partner with local organizations, including Alcovy CASA, Covington First United Methodist Church, and area food banks, to organize efforts by Piedmont Newton employees to support our most vulnerable neighbors. I have led drives with these partners to provide Christmas presents for children in foster care, personal hygiene kits for unhoused residents, and canned goods for the hungry.”
While Lane wears many hats, she emphasized that she could not pick one central thing she takes the most pride in at her job.
By Evan Newton
When Piedmont Newton acquired Newton Medical Center in 2015, Lane’s role expanded, becoming what it is today in 2017.
“I can’t choose one thing,” Lane said. “I take pride in having a job with purpose in my community, helping others every day, and working with a smart, hardworking, compassionate, caring, (and fun) team. I love working at Piedmont Newton. The people here are like family to me.”
Amber and Bill McNeill: Turning tragedy into a deeper purpose
By Evan Newton
Amber and Blake McNeill have done what very few can do –Find purpose through tragedy.
The McNeill’s were just like any other family. A young, married couple with dreams and ambitions, and the desire to become productive members of society.
When Amber was 23, she and Blake got the exciting news that they were pregnant with twins. But something was wrong.
“I very quickly became sick with flu like symptoms,” Amber said. “Tested negative for everything under the sun. Doctors chalked it up to just a really bad first trimester of pregnancy symptoms. I knew something wasn’t right.”
Amber went back to the doctor some time later. The news she received next was terrifying.
“At 18 weeks, we went to find out the genders and during the ultrasound. I could see the look on the tech’s face that something was wrong,” Amber said. “They explained that baby A – our girl – had a hydrops fetalis, meaning fluid had filled her body and that she likely would shrivel up Inutero.”
Amber was told that her baby girl would have “no chance of survival” but that her baby boy would be healthy. Originally, Amberwas told not to come back for weekly appointments with the intention of preserving her emotional health.
But Amber would not take no for
ferently but it’s most detrimental when a mother catches this during pregnancy especially during the early stages of pregnancy. This is congenital CMV. The virus had passed from me to her.”
According to the CDC, cytomegalovirus (CMV) affects nearly one in three children in the United States. While many who have it never experience any serious complications, those who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems may be affected more heavily.
“I had apparently contracted this virus when I began my teaching job in the first trimester,” Amber said. “This would explain my flu-like symptoms. Changing diapers, wiping dirty noses, etc.. was likely how I contracted it.
unfortunate passing in 2022.
The family’s goal now is to raise awareness for CMV, something that Kennedi’s brother Kolt and his friend got to work on shortly after her passing.
“A few months after Kennedi passed away due to complications relating to CMV, her twin brother and best friend Vivian reached out to an organization called Kids Boost and put together a benefit raising money for the National CMV Foundation,” Blake said. “They raised a record amount for the organization of over $8,000 ‘Kicking CMV for Kennedi Mae’.”
“That wasn’t an option,” Amber said. “We wanted to see our girls heart beat every chance we had not knowing when the last time would. I remember the feeling vividly... every single week emotions were high but as soon as I’d hear her heart I was reminded again there was still a chance.”
The McNeill’s turned to one thing they knew they would have to rely on – Their faith.
“I would write letters, journal and pray constantly asking God to just give her to us in any package,” Amber said. “For a day. A week. Nothing would be too much or too little. Just give us our little Angel. We would hear what the doctors had to say but we started listening to God. Neither of us had ever experienced the kind of faith that grew inside of us each day.
“Little did we know just how big of a plan God had for her. For us. For our boys. Our family and friends. She would change the world for everyone that met her. She would make us all better people.”
The McNeill’s twins, Kennedi and Kolt were born on July 23, 2011.
Amber, when describing the twins’ arrival, said that Kennedi literally pushed Kolt out of the way to be born first. It was then the doctors finally identified a root cause to Kennedi’s ailment.
“Kennedi tested positive for the cytomegalovirus,” Amber said. “We learned that it affects everyone dif-
“At the point of birth, her body had permanent damage. From her brain to organs. CMV looks different for everyone but for her this was a lifelong journey. She would later develop seizures, her spleen and lungs were affected tremendously, she had microcephaly, she was born deaf and nonverbal ... She would be wheelchair bound.”
But despite her CMV diagnosis, Kennedi was a shining light for the McNeill family for 11 years until her
While Kennedi may no longer be here physically, her light continues to shine on the world. Honoring Kennedi is now a lifelong goal and purpose for the McNeill family.
“For a majority of our lives - Kennedi was our purpose,” the McNeill’s said. “Losing her was more than just the physical loss. Our entire family felt like we lost our purpose. Every decision we ever made revolved around her best interest in all the best ways. We have to remind each other (some days more than others) that she can still drive a purpose by shining her light. We can help shine her light.”
an answer.
Dr. Lisa Miller,
MD: Pursuing a life calling of medicine and philanthropy
By Evan Newton
Dr. Lisa Miller has continued to pursue her life’s calling of helping people and has done it in Newton County since the turn of the millennium.
Miller grew up nearby in Conyers and attended Rockdale County High School. From there, Miller attended Berry College, did a semester at Harvard, did graduate work at Georgia Tech and then attended medical school at Wake Forest.
She graduated in 1991 and moved to Conyers to work with Children’s Medicine of Rockdale in 1994. In 1999, Miller moved to Covington, where she adopted her child, Gracie, from China in 2000 before opening her own practice in 2001.
Travis Moore Maintaining transparency in local government
For Miller, medicine served as her calling.
“I love the children that I care for and their families, and have grown very close to so many of them,” Miller said. “Working in a small town, especially one that you grew up around, has been wonderful because I care for the children of people I knew growing up and their grandchildren. We share a love for our community, we worship together at church, our kids sing in choirs together or play ball together. It is truly a huge blessing to work and live in the town of Covington.”
Miller’s life took a turn when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2020, where she underwent 15 months of chemotherapy, surgery, and 28 days of radiation while doing it all during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through the challenges, Miller remembers just how important the presence and support of family and friends was during that time.
“It was a very different experience, going through cancer during a pandemic when all the things they recommend for support aren’t available,” Miller said. “The faithfulness of my family and a few good friends were invaluable. The most humbling part was that the parents in my practice took the lead in bringing meals to my family and helping us even with yard work. They cared for me in the way I had cared for their children, they said. It truly reminded me of the kindness and generosity of the people in our community.
Miller has since used her experience to help others who are going through the same things she did.
“I have been able to help support a number of the women in our community who were diagnosed with breast cancer, and that has been a silver lining,” Miller said. “We are truly a sisterhood that no one would wish to belong to.”
Along with supporting people through her practice and through her experience with Breast Cancer, Miller has stepped up to help people in different parts of the world, too.
Miller’s sister, Melanie, who assists Malawi with nurs-
By Evan Newton
If you have met Travis Moore, you would know that he personifies all things Covington.
A seventh-generation resident, Moore wears many hats. He is the managing partner of Moore Rentals LLC, co-owner of Moxie Yoga Bar and Pilates, a real estate broker with Hometown Realty Consultants Inc and co-owner of the Reformer Room in Covington.
Most recently, Moore has become a member of the Covington city council, representing the East ward. As he approaches the one-year mark on the council, he says that his time on council has been a positive one so far.
“Serving on the city council has been a great experience so far,” Moore said. “I enjoy working with the people of Covington, listening to their concerns and addressing their needs.”
Moore is currently tackling many projects in his role as a council member. He is currently working on facilitating a skate park for the youth in the community, upon the request from many community members. He was also recently appointed to Covington’s downtown development authority, where they are working on maintaining the eye-catching scenery in the downtown area.
But the one thing that Moore has prided himself on the most in his political career is transparency.
ing advice for children in an orphanage connected with her in ways they could help.
“We realized there was a need for a home for the homeless elderly and the handicapped children and their moms who had been abandoned by their husbands. The poverty there is hard to imagine. It is one of the poorest countries in the world,” Miller said. “Last winter, I knitted over 200 wool hats and sold them to help build “The House of Grace,” which we lovingly call the house that hats built. Through that ministry, I became aware of a community, not far away, that had significant food insecurity for the children. I could see pictures of children with Kwashiorkor disease and knew that we needed to get some protein into their diet, which mainly consisted of maize.
The work of Miller and others has affected hundreds of children.
“The head of the Ministry there said that the children have gone from being weak and sad when they arrived to being happy, jovial, and healthier,” Miller said. “It is amazing what one meal full of protein can do when you are that protein-starved. We have also sponsored a number of children to go to school in the community.”
According to Miller, a career in medicine is not for everyone. But, for those who want to pursue it, she cannot compare the impact to anything else.
“I think someone really needs to feel a calling and that this is their life work. There are many other careers that pay just as well or better and lend themselves to a more balanced life with family,” Miller said. “But if you truly love Medicine, there’s nothing greater than the joy of watching children grow up into strong, healthy adults, knowing that you have played a small role. There are amazing strides being made in so many areas of medicine, and the science is truly astounding!
“It has been the most rewarding job, and I know I’ve made a difference. I still get an occasional picture of a teen or young adult with a card thanking me for “saving their life.” What could be more rewarding than impacting someone’s life?”
When he’s not posting the occasional humorous video, Moore takes to Facebook after every city council meeting, updating citizens about the topics that were discussed.
“I’ve worked hard to be transparent about our work on the city council,” Moore said. “I understand that many people can’t attend meetings, so after each meeting, I sit down the next day and share a summary of what happened—what was on the agenda, how things were voted on, and why.
While he knows that the council’s decisions will not please everyone, Moore hopes that being proactive, not reactive is something that citizens of Covington can appreciate.
“People have told me they appreciate this approach,” Moore said. “Even if they don’t always agree with the decisions, they’re glad to be informed and understand the reasoning behind the votes.”
There will come a day when Moore will no longer serve in politics, but he hopes that he will be remembered not for his time in office, but for the love of his community.
“I hope that my lasting impact on the community will be that I was someone who kept my word, remained transparent and stayed fully engaged with the people. I’ve been involved in this community for many years. I attend all the events, answer calls and emails, go to the merchant meetings and help out wherever I can.
“I believe it’s important to be visible, engaged and actively participating in the community’s events and activities.”
Michael Patterson: A life’s passion to serve others in more ways than one
By Garrett Pitts
Whether it is in politics, ministry or even as a little league coach, the mission for Michael Patterson has always been to serve others. Patterson was elected as Porterdale’s Mayor in November 2023 with goals in mind to elevate the city of almost 2,000 to a location people not only drive through, but stop in.
“We needed life pumped back into the
city,” Patterson said. “We needed things done. We had gotten our finances in order which was great, [and our] doing very good there. Now we needed to make sure that we kept our staff and we treated them well, we had good leaders.
I believe if you have good leaders, you have good staff. You keep your staff, you keep your employees and there’s not a lot of turnover…
“I wanted to make it a destination. I wanted it to become a place where people wanted to come to. And for a long time, Porterdale was the place where things went to die, but now I want Porterdale to be the place where things go to thrive.”
Since his election, Porterdale has seen just that. The city hosts numerous events and has seen an influx of new business.
The mission Patterson has for Porterdale today is the same one he had when he was running for Mayor — connecting and doing it all for the people of the city.
“That was my heartbeat. I wanted to serve the community, and that’s why my whole vision, even my website was Patterson 4 Porterdale,” Patterson said. “Because I want to be for the people. I don’t want to be against people, I want to be for them.”
Paddle Your Way to Porterdale, Georgia
was started by Patterson’s grandfather, Dr. J.A. Patterson, in 1981.
After growing up in the church, Patterson became a senior pastor at the age of 26 in 2012.
As someone who has had a leadership role in both government and ministry, Patterson shared how the two work together for the same common goal in his eyes.
“That’s what drove me to serve people in different areas, not just only in the ministry, but also in the community and in politics,” Patterson said. “Because I believe that you know if you have genuine care for people. You can tell if they love people or not or if this is just a job to you. it’s not a job to me. It’s my life. It’s what I do. It’s not just what I do to earn a paycheck. It is something that I’ve given my entire life for. I don’t know how to do anything else.
“It had to be a God thing for me to become a preacher and a politician. And some people see that as a challenge, but I see it like it can be a dynamic duo. Because no matter what way you’re slicing it, you’re just serving people and you’re doing it to the best of your ability. One of my mottos or the motto of my life is to be a servant of God and a servant to people. So I want to serve God by serving others — by serving people.”
Patterson’s passion for serving goes far beyond being the mayor, but it sparked his decision to pursue the position.
“At that time I was living in the lofts and I wanted to make an impact and make a difference anywhere that I’m at,” Patterson said. “But, I’m in the people business. I love serving people, and I serve people as a pastor. Now I’m serving people as a mayor. I wanted to just get involved in serving the community anyway that I could.”
Patterson has been a pastor for 12 years at Faith Tabernacle UPC in Conyers, a church that
Patterson’s desire to help and lead others can be found on the ballfield, too.
One of Patterson’s other duties is serving as a little league coach at City Pond.
According to Patterson, the best advice to someone who wants to serve and one thing he has learned is to be present and available.
“I say make yourself available, show up,” Patterson said. “Decisions are made by people at the table. Decisions are made by people who show up. And if you don’t show up to serve, then you’re gonna be left behind. — you’re not going to get the opportunities. If you just wait for them to come to you and you’re not already actively doing something, you can pursue opportunities, responsibilities, job titles, or whatever you want. But honestly, if you just show up, then the opportunities will come. Make yourself available. If people want to get involved, be easy to get along with, don’t cause problems. Be there to serve and to help and understand it’s not always gonna be your way, but it doesn’t always have to be your way to be good and to be right.”
Marcus Pollard
An advocate for the next generation of agriculture
By Evan Newton
arcus Pollard has built a career out of teaching the next generation about agriculture.
Currently serving as the Agricultural Education teacher for Newton College and Career Academy, Pollard has prided himself on bringing the best out of students in the classroom.
“My favorite part of being an educator is being able to see student success,” Pollard said. “My job is a little different as I teach high school students and adults.”
Pollard has been in the education field for 17 years. He received his associates degree in Applied Science at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in 2003, and his bachelors of science at Tennessee Tech University in 2005. He then obtained his masters of arts in education in 2007 at Lipscomb University.
From that point, Pollard got his educational specialist degree at the University of Georgia in 2012 and his doctorate in education in 2020 at Murray State University –the same school he serves as a part-time adjunct lecturer today.
Recently, Pollard notched another big distinction in his already successful teaching career. He was named the 2024 Georgia Forestry Teacher of the Year in September. Getting that award was a really validating moment for him.
“Georgia Forestry Teacher of the Year was really awesome,” Pollard said. “There are awards and recognition opportunities within the realm of education and our different professional organizations, but this came from industry. These were forestry people telling me that I’m doing a good job teaching students about forestry. It just means more coming from industry.”
One key component on how Pollard received this distinction was the implementation of real-world applications in his classroom curriculum.
“We do some cool stuff at the school,” Pollard said.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FACES OF NEWTON! M
“We have a saw mill, we are intentional with what trees we plant, and where. We have some great partnerships with local businesses. Our students have the ability to participate in events across the state and nation on a highly competitive level. There are certainly some unique opportunities for being an agricultural education student at NCCA.”
Another reason behind Pollard’s success in the teaching and agriculture industry is the ability to develop students into essential workers in the agriculture industry.
“I’m most proud of kids that grow into adults and are proud of their educational experience. There are tons of very successful students (who are now successful adults) that have come through our doors and still speak fondly of their experience,” Pollard said. “Dos Harper works in sustainability for a poultry company. Jordan Lilly is an insurance agent for Newton County Farm Bureau. Justin Stone and Logan House are some of the leading arborists in our area. I could go on and on. Our kids find careers through their experiences in the agricultural education program at NCCA. It makes me proud.”
Pollard hopes to continue creating an avenue for young farmers and agriculture lovers and providing the education they need to succeed.
“Again, as a Young Farmer teacher, my job is really about connecting people with other people or information. I enjoy working with different people and organizations to help create a better experience as a citizen in Newton County,” Pollard said. “Within the walls of the school, I will routinely work with science or literature classes to bring their content to life by making it relevant through agriculture...
“Agriculture is a vast industry. It’s the economic driver of our state’s economy. Bringing that to light for people, and getting people to realize that they can play a part in that industry is very rewarding.”
Newton Count y Sheriff’s Office
Jimmy Tanner: Putting the community in community banking
By Evan Newton
Located off of the busy Highway 278, Jimmy Tanner heads to work every weekday at Newton Federal.
With 24 years of banking experience, Tanner has nearly done it all in the industry. But the decision to move back to Newton County in 2005 and join Newton Federal was one that he felt was the right move for him.
“I’ve worked with several big banks,” Tanner said, “but there’s nothing like working for a local community bank.”
Tanner is a Newton County native at heart. At the age of seven, he and his family moved to Newton County from Atlanta. He attended Palmer Stone Elementary, Cousins Middle School and Newton County Comprehensive High School before attending college and leaving the commu -
nity for an extensive period of time.
Since returning to Newton County, Tanner has become the vice president of business development for Newton Federal. On a daily basis, he said that his daily tasks are centered around one idea.
“Serving and helping others,” Tanner said. “That may be helping them with a financial need, it could be advising or counseling them about their business or their personal finances. It might also be referring them to one of our business customers who can help them with a different need. It might also be volunteering or serving in the community.”
Community is something that has been key for Tanner.
Outside of his banking career, Tanner has been involved in a number of civic organizations and groups in the county. He is the chairman of the Community Improvement District (CID), a member and incoming
Jimmy
Tanner Vice President
jimmytanner@newtonfederal.com
president of the Covington Kiwanis Club and a volunteer at the Salvation Army. He and his wife, Saba, are also members of Oxford Baptist Church.
Being a part of the Newton County community is something that Tanner claimed was all part of a bigger plan than his own.
“I feel this is where God wants me to be,” Tanner said.
And thus that is why he has decided to stay home since returning in 2005, all hoping that he can create a legacy that he can look fondly upon.
“I hope my legacy here will be someone who loved God, his family, and others,” Tanner said. Someone who lived out his faith with honesty and integrity, and tried to make a difference. With a laugh thrown in here and there.”
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Williams
Serving through education and ministry
By Evan Newton
Public service is the driving force behind longtime community member Avis Williams.
Williams – who has lived in Newton County most of her life – has served her community for several years in a number of different capacities.
Perhaps her most notable work is with Emory University, particularly at the Oxford campus. As a multiple-time alumnae, Williams has worked closely with the university on several projects, including Emory’s Twin Memorials project. This project is an effort to develop memorials on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses with the hopes of honoring the enslaved individuals involved in Emory’s history.
Williams has also enjoyed a successful career in ministry, currently serving as an associate minister of Bethlehem Baptist Church. She is also an active member of the Newton County Ministers Alliance.
Together, Williams has combined her two loves of education and ministry to help youth who may need a helping hand. She has served as an organizing member of the biennial Sandhill/TexAlley community celebration.
According to Williams, this celebration is a fostering of community pride and a promotion of continued youth academic success.
“I love spending time with young people and sharing with them any of my life experiences that might encourage them to aspire to be whatever God and their lives has called them to be,” Williams said.
Williams has also utilized her public service skills on a number of county boards. She served as a city councilwoman for the city of Oxford for two years, something she noted as a unique experience.
“It was a new and gratifying experience for me, to represent and serve a constituency,” Williams said.
She also serves as a community member of the Newton County Tomorrow and Police Who Care boards.
Recently, Williams put her name in the hat for Newton County Tax Commissioner, making it all the way to a runoff race in the Democratic primary. While she was ultimately unsuccessful in that bid, she said that there are no plans to stop her commitment to public service – something she learned by example from her late mother and grandmother.
“I pray that my lasting legacy in life will be that I tried to serve the community as there was need and opportunity,” Williams said. “I love God, my community, and serving in the community.”
Kayla Zielinski
A true passion for animals
By Evan Newton
Kayla Zielinski has always loved animals growing up.
Moving to Covington in 2006, Zielinski’s passion for pets grew as she went on about her adult life. But it was not until 2020, when she became the administrative coordinator for Newton County Animal Services, that she realized where her true passion was.
“I have always loved animals, especially dogs,” Zielinski said. “I wanted to be a teacher while growing up, but while working at the local pet store the opportunity to become the administrator with Newton County Animal Services presented itself in 2020. Once I started my job as the administrative coordinator, I felt like it opened a whole new world of different opportunities of working with the public and their pets.”
In her role as administrative coordinator, Zielinski is the person behind completing the adoption process, something that she says is her favorite part of the job.
“While I do have several parts of my role that I could choose from, my favorite part of being the administrative coordinator is completing the adoptions,” Zielinski said. “It is so fun to see everyone’s reactions while they are adopting their new furry friend. A huge bonus is seeing how happy the dogs and cats are while leaving with their forever family.”
Recently, Zielinski expanded her fam -
ily with a cat of her own. Her new cat, Penelope, was adopted in August from Newton County Animal Services.
Zielinski recalled the many interactions she had with Penelope before deciding to adopt her.
“She [Penelope] was adopted from Newton County Animal Services in August of this year,” Zielinski said. “She kept staring at me, waiting for me to pet her when I would come into the cat room to visit her-that’s how I knew she was the one!”
Spending time with Penelope is one of Zielinski’s favorite things to do outside of work. She also enjoys catching up with friends and “spoiling” her nieces and nephews.
Zielinski hopes that the work she does with Newton Animal Services will amount to stressing the importance of spaying and neutering pets. With roughly 70 million stray cats and dogs in the United States alone, she hopes that pet owners can grasp the importance of spaying or neutering their pet.
“I hope my lasting impact will be that I helped spread the importance of spaying and neutering pets and adopting from your local animal shelter,” Zielinski said. “While helping complete adoptions and reclaims as the administrator, I feel it’s important to educate the adopter/owner on fixing their pet.”
Congratulations to Cassandra Jenkins Faces of Newton Honoree
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Newton County Superior Court Clerk’s office in conjunction with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) is pleased to offer two new services to the citizens of Newton County.
• Filing Activity Notification System (FANS) provides Georgia citizens with tools to monitor activity regarding their property and records
• eCertification services provides users the ability to electronically request certified Court and Real Estate Records 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
The Clerk of Superior Court is also honored to offer an invaluable service to our veterans by recording and preserving military discharge records, free of charge. Please visit our website, www.alcovycircuit.com, for more information.
Mrs. Linda D. Hays
The Clerk of Courts
It is my honor to serve the citizens of Newton County
