I am a proud seventh-generation Georgian. My ancestors settled in southwest Georgia in the early 1800s. Typical of most farming families, my grandparents had many siblings. My father was a twin in a brood of nine kids. My mother found herself in rare company as an only child. Meeting in the middle, they had four children where I appeared in third place. And, yes, I am the stereotypical middle child.

From a young age, I enjoyed listening to the rich tales shared by my parents and grandparents. While exploring cemeteries together, they acquainted me with our ancestors, and I appreciated discovering the details of their lives and the vibrant communities they inhabited. This profound fascination eventually inspired me to become my family’s historian.

My first official genealogy research trip was in March 1990 to the then brand-new Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library in my hometown. As a cherished memento, I still have my original library card. It bears the number 90-05, which signifies it was the fifth card distributed during the library's inaugural year. It was within those walls that my passion for genealogical exploration first came to life.

I spent years as a genealogy hobbyist, occasionally renewing my Ancestry account to delve deeper. Before becoming a professional genealogist, I worked as a legal assistant in firms specializing in litigation, probate, and real estate. In the summer of 2018, my boss left the legal field to become a Methodist minister. I know! Not the black robe you were expecting. Missing the research aspect of my job, I realized I could turn my passion into a profession–one of my best decisions.

Another part of who I am involves my love for making beautiful things. I enjoy writing, sewing, crocheting, and painting both on canvases and walls. Since 2014, I've had my own design company. It began as a side gig but now it's become an integral part of my genealogy business. One of my favorite sayings is "creativity is intelligence having fun." This sentiment greatly influenced my decision to name my business "Designing Genealogy." It sums up my business approach in just two words, and the saying perfectly captures how these aspects go hand in hand.

My business is threefold—research, graphic designs and illustrations, and copyediting and proofreading. Every facet appeals to distinct dimensions of my personality, offering fulfillment in different ways.

1. Puzzle solving. I enjoy finding lost or unknown family members through DNA analysis and detective work.
2. Creativity. I adore making beautiful documents for other professionals such as book covers, charts, forms, illustrations, stationery, and more.
3. Organization. I delight in helping others polish and refine their written work to realize its fullest potential.

Creativity is my greatest strength. To this day, I still love the smell of a fresh box of Crayola crayons and an untouched, crisp coloring book. At first glance, it does not seem that a genealogist and a graphic designer/illustrator would have much in common. However, I find that these professions serve each other well. Creativity helps me think outside the box when solving complex research problems, and the research process helps me construct effective imagery to tell a story. And I love to hear, read, and watch great stories. Stories are where I gain inspiration.

Lastly, it's worth keeping in mind that the primary products genealogists typically provide are our reports, charts, and supporting images. Ensuring their visual appeal is paramount, and I'm here to assist in making that vision a reality.