FPCC Staff

Pastor & Staff

Dena  Williams Sowden

Director of Christian Education

Email: dsowden@fpcconroe.org

Phone: 936.7568884

Dena grew up in Conroe and attended Conroe High, class of 1990. She and her husband, Mark Sowden, are active members of FPC and have been Youth Leaders since 2016. She attended Blinn College where she studied Criminal Justice and Psychology. In August 1993, she graduated the police academy and began a career in law enforcement. She became a SWAT team member at the Central East Texas Narcotics Task Force and earned an Intermediate Peace Officer Certificate with over 800 classroom hours in Law Enforcement studies. Before starting her family in 2001, Dena began a career in banking and finance where she was a branch manager for Klein/Amegy Bank for 3 years and then Production Manager for Infinity Funding Mortgage, LLC who merged with Crystal Clear Mortgage. Dena’s vast experience in law enforcement lead to her position as Chair of the FPC Emergency Response Team and her leadership and management will be instrumental in helping FPC Conroe develop and maintain the Christian Education Ministry. She loves volunteering with the FPC Youth Group and spending time outdoors with her two teenage sons, Kyle and Alex.

Sharon VanSchuyver

Director of  Communications

Email: sharonv@fpcconroe.org

Phone: 936.756.8884

Sharon is a native Houstonian, having called Montgomery County “home” for 20+ years now. She has been associated with First Presbyterian Church since 2012, where she began as the Church Administrator. After seven years of administration, she now serves as the Director of Finance and Communications for the church.
Sharon considers herself blessed to do life with her wonderful husband of 25+ years and their two amazing sons. Prior to FPC, she was able to work in various capacities, as well as being actively involved with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of Montgomery County, which eventually prompted she and her husband to become foster/adoptive parents. Her interests beyond FPC life include long outdoor walks, tennis and cooking.

Stephanie Cooke

Music Director


“Stephanie Cooke is the Choir Director at Cryar Intermediate School. For the past five years, she was Assistant Choir Director at The Woodlands High School. She has taught in both public and private schools, from pre-K to college. Ms. Cooke has performed as an accompanist for a variety of performers and ensembles, including Texas Region and Honor choirs, and SWACDA Honor Choirs. She studied choral music with David Stocker at Arizona State University, and piano with Dalton Baldwin and Glenn Parker at Westminster Choir College. Her service as a church musician began when she was in high school in Arizona.”

Rolethial McKelvey

Accompanist


Rolethial McKelvey is a Houston native that had the privilege of beginning piano lessons at age four. Rolethial continued studying privately while simultaneously playing in the jazz band at Johnston Middle School (renamed Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School). Rolethial attended Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she studied classical piano during school, as well as continuing to study privately.
Rolethial received her Bachelor’s Degree from Sam Houston State University. Presently, Rolethial is a solo pianist, accompanist, and the Director of Piano Studies at Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School.

Jackye Cannon

Accounting

Jane Corbit

Accounting

Yvonne Rose

Office Manager

Email: yrose@fpcconroe.org

Phone: 936-756-8884


Yvonne is a widow that retired from nursing after 32 years as an LVN. She has raised five children and has six living grandchildren. She joined First Presbyterian Church 5-1/2 years ago and became active in Presbyterian Women and other volunteer church activities.

Shirley Dukes

Parish Nurse


Email: parishrn@suddenlink.com

Shirley is a graduate of Texas Christian University where she received her degree in Nursing. She spent her nursing career working in the Operating Room beginning at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth before relocating to Houston. Her career took her to Texas Children’s Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, Methodist Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital. After moving to Conroe she was employed at Conroe Regional Medical Center. She retired from Memorial Hermann The Woodlands in June 2016. She has served as Parish Nurse since 2002.