Doug and Sue are originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and proudly call themselves Hoosiers. Doug retired from Pepsi, and Sue retired from Parkview Medical Center, where both spent many years working in Fort Wayne. They are the proud parents of four sons—Craig, Andy, Nick, and Kenny—and have been blessed with 15 grandchildren. Their oldest son, Craig, and his wife, Brenda, live in Johnson City, while Andy, Nick, and Kenny still reside in Fort Wayne.

One special reason Doug and Sue chose to retire in Tennessee was to be closer to their oldest grandson, Zac, who is an optometrist serving in Bristol and Wise, Virginia. Tennessee also felt like the perfect location because it is a halfway point between Fort Wayne and Myrtle Beach. As Sue said, “We were going to retire and move down to Tennessee, and here we are.” They enjoy hiking, running, watching sports, antiquing, and shopping.

Doug and Sue will celebrate 40 years of marriage in November and share the same anniversary as Pastor William and Julia. Back home, they were active in their churches, The Chapel and Avalon Missionary Church. Doug served over the ushers, and Sue served as a greeter while also helping with the local food bank and hospitality ministry. After doing some online church searching, they found Heritage First Church of God in 2023, and it immediately became their church home.

Since joining Heritage, Sue was offered the challenging role of Church Secretary and has loved serving in that position. Doug is also very active in the church and, last year, they took on the Video and Audio Ministry together. Doug and Sue enjoy serving and feel deeply blessed by this loving and compassionate church family. They truly believe they were led here by the Holy Spirit.