About the Author

Evelyn Marie Dees Kelly currently serves as Lead Pastor St. Paul United Methodist Church in Clarksville, and Warren Chapel UMC Terrell.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Bishop College.  After a career in social work, she received a National Urban Fellowship in Public Administration through the North Central Texas Council of Government to earn a Master of Public Administration, Texas A&M University Commerce.  In response to a higher calling, Evelyn earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology. Professional positions in social work, municipal government management, and church administration have spanned decades with great employers, to include the State of Texas, City of Lancaster, and One Church One Child.

Evelyn is a Life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc , Alpha Alpha Omicron Omega Chapter, Kaufman County Democrats and Writers Block Literary Society. She serves on the Committee on the Status and Role of Women for the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church and a member of the District Board of Ministry.

Her greatest achievement is the honor and privilege of being the mother of Tanya, Cedrique (Penney), the doting grandmother of Sarrita and Cameron, and the love of a niece, Kayla Siggers.