Dr. Jeff Smith, Pastor

Jeff is a native of Blowing Rock, NC and is grateful to God to serve as pastor at FPC. He is a graduate of Montreat College (B.A. Bible and Religion), a graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary (M. Div.) and a Doctor of Ministry at Union Presbyterian Seminary. He served three different congregations during 14 years of ministry in South Carolina (Bennettsville, Spartanburg, and Columbia) and has been the pastor at FPC since 2014. He is passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and empowering the church in Christ’s mission to the ends of the earth. His wife, Angela, works for Water Mission, a non-profit ministry that provides safe and clean water to impoverished areas around the world. They have two sons, Brennan and Lawson. In his spare time, Jeff enjoys trout fishing, UNC Basketball, and spending time camping with his family.

Lynne Hutelmyer, Office Administrator

Lynne came out of retirement to accept the position of Administrative Assistant working with Pastor Jeff and office personnel. She comes to us with over twenty years of experience in administrative and managerial positions. Lynne is also an accomplished artist, painting acrylic landscapes using her husband Joe’s photography as her inspiration. Lynne and Joe reside in Todd and have five adult children and twelve grandchildren and two furry friends, Sandy Too and Layla! Lynne looks forward to meeting everyone and building relationships with our congregation.

Jennifer Jones, Financial Director

Jennifer has been the office administrator at FPC since January 2002. Some of her responsibilities include the weekly newsletter, bulletins, financial records for the church and FMO, membership records as well as being a source of support to staff and to the congregation. She lives in Todd with husband, Greg, and boxers Zeus and Zoe. She has two wonderful sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law, 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. Jennifer loves her family, dogs, shopping, and photography, anything to do with technology and computers, cooking and kitchen gadgets. 

Erin Fowler, Director of Children’s Ministries

 
Erin has her BA and NC teaching license. She has been a preschool teacher most of her adult life, most recently at First Morning Out. Erin enjoys being a mom to a brood and a grandma. Most importantly, she enjoys sharing God’s love with His people.
Shawn Huntley, Director of Youth Ministries
 
Shawn received both her BA and MA from Appalachian State University. As a member of FPC, Shawn has been active in both Adult Sunday School and the Women’s Reach Bible Study. During her most recent Women’s Reach class it became apparent that God was calling her to engage deeper into the life of the church. After much prayer and contemplation, she acknowledged the call to serve with the Youth. Shawn resides in Valle Crucis with her husband Chuck, their middle school daughter and dog Otis. She also has two children currently attending college.
 
Rev. Larke Blanton, Director of Adult Christian Education
 
Pastor Larke Alexandria Blanton is the senior pastor of ReGeneration Church based in Boone. After graduating from Appalachian State with a degree in Psychology in May 2013, Larke completed her Master of Divinity degree from Wake Forest University in 2015. She bleeds black and gold and has a reference to App State football in every sermon preached during football season. Larke recently completed a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.
 
In addition to serving in ministry at ReGen, Larke is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate in Washington State. She serves as a couples counselor with Inside Passage Relationship Counseling. Combining both the callings of ministry and marriage and family therapy; Larke hopes to bring a unique, healing experience for her congregants as well as her clients. With a heart for faith development, Christian education, and a love for serving the community, Larke is thrilled for the opportunity to partner with Pastor Jeff and First Presbyterian Boone coordinating Adult Christian Education opportunities. Pastor Larke is married to Jamie, worship director for ReGeneration Church, and they are excited for this new step and collaboration!
 

Ellen Brown, Interim Choir Director

Ellen Brown has been coaxed out of retirement to serve as our interim choir director (after 30-plus years of music ministry) due to her love for our choir and congregation. Her experience in church music includes playing organ, piano and directing choirs for adults, youth, children and handbells. Ellen also taught middle and high school choral music and was NC Teacher of the Year for middle school choral music in 2010. Her expertise in developing choral technique led to many invitations to lead county honor choirs throughout NC and to lead choirs for Music Week at Lake Junaluska, Lutheridge and Bonclarken. She has been accompanist for high school choirs on European concert tours and for several national honor choir performances at Carnegie Hall in NYC.
Ellen recently moved to Boone and is loving being near son Joe, his wife Laura and their two girls to whom she is “Grelly.” Her daughter Emily lives in Columbia, SC with her wife Ashley and Ellen’s two amazing teen-aged grandchildren. Cooking and baking for family and friends are among her favorite things. Not to brag, but she is famous for her pimento cheese. Her furry mutt Stitch adds to the fun and happy chaos.

 
Tyler Dellaperute, Pianist
Tyler joined our staff as our new pianist in August, 2022. Tyler has a B.A. in Music from Cedarville University and is a recent graduate of ASU with a M.M. in Piano Performance with an added Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy. He has been playing the piano since he was in middle school and has grown up the son of a Baptist pastor. He brings the comfortability of playing both contemporary and traditional music. Tyler has worked with Brandon Winbush at Watauga High School and through music camps at ASU.
 

Cindy Clawson, Worship Band Leader

Cindy has a wide background of musical experience. She has been a church musician for 30 years in various positions as Choir Director, Church pianist, attempted organist (but her legs were too short), Children’s Choir Director, Hand bell Director and just about whatever has come up in music. She has also worked as a public school music teacher. Wherever her family moved she found some available position in a school from grades K-12. Her favorite public school forum was directing high school chorus. As life brought new challenges and different circumstances Cindy took on a job at Boone Drug, Inc. This is where she gets to work with a great group of people every day. Cindy has 3 children.
 

Brooke Hollar, First Morning Out Preschool Director

Brooke has a passion for children and has worked with children what seems like her whole life. She graduated ASU with a degree in Special Education. Brooke is married to her high school sweetheart John, they have 4 children. She enjoys the outdoors, their farm, managing an online boutique, and spending time with her family. She looks forward to serving all the FMO families and growing our preschool program.
 
Elders
 
Class of 2024
Neville Chaney – Property & Personnel
Frank Mayberry – Communications
Sue Newell – Church Life
Greg Warmuth – Finance & Stewardship
 
Class of 2025
Jack Butler – Christian Education
Allison Harrison – Worship
David Kesler – Property & Personnel
Carrie Merschat – Christian Education
 
Class of 2023
Melissa Bahleda – Mission
Margaret Gregor – Mission
Joe Hutelmyer – Finance & Stewardship
Patrick Moree – Communications
 
Anna Lehman – Clerk of Session
Deacons
 
Class of 2024
Katherine Logan
*Ben Miller, Moderator
Linda Ruff
Jo Sorrell
 
Class 0f 2025
Jane Butler
Andrew Glover
Dot Hutelmyer
Guy Rippy
 
Class of 2026
Barb Edwards
Sarah Gordon
Jerri Mayberry
Dee Pelliccio