Staff

601-982-4880

Judy Johnson
Parish Administrator

Judy came to St. James’  in 1985 as a temporary employee. She was asked to stay on full time when it was decided to purchase networking computers to set up different software applications. She has since worked her way through many clergy and was asked to be Parish Administrator. She handles all financial records and manages kitchen, facility and cleaning staff.

 

Don Messer
Organist & Choir Director

Don has served St. James’ Church sine returning to Mississippi in November 2004. A B.A. and B.M. graduate of Millsaps College, Donald studied piano with Dr. Jonathan Sweat and organ with Donald Kilmer. After receiving an M.A. degree in English Language and Literature from Mississippi State University, he continued Ph.D. study in English Renaissance Literature at Tulane University of New Orleans, all the while serving various churches in Mississippi, Louisiana, New Jersey and New York as their organist-choirmaster. Before assuming his duties at St. James’, Donald was Assistant Registrar of Manhattan School of Music and Associate Registrar of Barnard College in New York. Though a church musician for 45 years, Donald is Jackson’s only organist-choirmaster who is also an eminent Shakespeare scholar!

Whitney Veazey  
Director of Early Childhood Ministries

A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Whitney is a wife to her high school sweetheart, Slates Veazey, Sr.  She is a mother to two precious children, Slates Jr. and Sadie, who have both attended preschool at St. James’ School.  Whitney has worked in the elementary classroom and early childhood classroom settings for eight years since graduating with an Elementary Education degree from the University Of Mississippi in 2004, she is certified by the Mississippi State Department of Health as an Early Childhood Director. Whitney has been fortunate enough to see firsthand from both a parent’s and educator’s perspective the day-to-day workings of St. James School.

Mary Nell Prichard
Director of Children & Family Ministries

Mary Nell began working with children in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 29 years ago and joined the St. James’ staff in 1986. She has served on the Board of the National Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association. As a formation leader for the National Association, she has led adult formation courses at St. James’ and throughout the country.

Kathy Stephens
Office Manager

Kathy manages all bulletins and written communications while being administrative support for clergy and program staff. She maintains all church records, transfers, and reports for every aspect of St. James’ day to day operation.

Jan Thornton
Assistant Parish Administrator

A native Jacksonian, Jan grew up in the Fondren area.  After graduating from the University of Mississippi with a BBS in Marketing, she worked in marketing, interior design and project management.  She is constantly updating our parish communications including our website, social media, and community contacts. Jan also manages the space use of our buildings and grounds and provides support for the Parish Life and Outreach ministries.

SUPPORT STAFF

Sarah Little
Children’s Choral Director

Sarah began her music education journey with 7 blessed years of teaching choral music within the Pearl Public School District. She served as the Director of Choral Activities at Pearl JHS where she directed the superior-performing: Pearl Junior High Singers, Boys Chorale, Advanced Treble, Intermediate Treble, and Beginner Treble I and Treble II choruses. She directed several smaller ensembles, sextets and quartets within the above named groups. Sarah has been teaching piano and voice for nearly a decade and is ecstatic to relocate and expand her studio-Studio Little, from the classroom into her home on a full-time basis. She has also been privileged to work with the renowned Mississippi Girl Choir and served as director to the 5th-7th grade choir, “Jubilate” from 2013-2015. She holds the Bachelor of Music degree from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS and is a proud alumnus of the internationally performing and recognized, MC Singers and pop a capella group, Mixed Company. Sarah is an active member of MS Music Educators Association, American Choral Directors Association, Music Teacher’s National Association and National Federation of Music Clubs. She has served as President to the Junior High Division of Mississippi Music Educators Association and has also served on the ACDA board as Junior High R&S for the state of Mississippi. In 2010, Sarah received the Young Music Educator of the Year award for the state of Mississippi. Other honors include serving as a clinician to the 2012 LMEA Women’s All-State Choir, serving as a clinician for the 2013 ACDA Male Vocal Symposium, ACDA Children’s Choir Festival, and having the opportunity to direct various District Honor Choirs and adjudicate throughout the southeast region. Sarah is a native of Slidell, Louisiana and graduated from Slidell High School in 2002.  Sarah is beyond blessed to be married to the love of her life, Matt, and enjoys supporting his musical career as an Assistant Band Director/Percussion Coordinator at Pearl High School. Their beautiful daughters, Isobel and Carolyn, take up every ounce of their free time, for which they couldn’t be happier!

FACILITIES STAFF

Marcus Anderson
Kitchen Manager

Marcus comes to us from the Methodist Rehab Center, here in Jackson, where he served as a full-time cafeteria supervisor, and we feel very lucky to have him here at St. James’. He’s already proven himself to be an excellent team player and a wonderful cook. His fried chicken and catfish is legendary.

Charlie Belote
Facilities Manager

Charlie grew up in Canton, MS and is currently living in Brandon. He joined the staff in 2015.

 

 

Ray Shaw
Sexton