Executive Director

A contemplative at heart and a writer, Oliver brings over 15 years of leadership experience in spiritual formation, hospitality, and organizational growth. As a United Methodist lay person she has served as youth pastor, a Volunteer in Mission for two years in Malawi, and over ten years in publishing, most recently on staff at The Upper Room. She is passionate about cultivating renewal and connection, aligning seamlessly with St. Mary’s Sewanee’s mission.

Reservations & Program Manager

Reservations & Program Manager Mary Beth Best brings many years of experience working with the public, especially in retreat settings, to her work at St. Mary’s Sewanee, which she began in May 2018. Before joining the staff, she attended Centering Prayer groups at St. Mary’s Sewanee, walked its labyrinth, and explored its hiking trails. She said she most enjoys meeting and coming to know the guests, learning why they are visiting St. Mary’s Sewanee. “Many people arrive uncertain or stressed, but they leave with renewed spirits that shows on their countenance. It is a joy to witness this transformation!”

Property Manager

Tim has worked at St. Mary’s Sewanee since March 2012 and knows the buildings and grounds better than anyone. Coming from a stressful manufacturing background working long hours, St. Mary’s Sewanee has helped him find a good balance between working hard and taking time to enjoy life, including his young daughter. Using his skills and experience, Tim repairs and maintains a vast array of equipment on campus. His love of nature compels him to improve the appearance of the grounds and to create new hiking opportunities. He says there’s never a dull moment at St. Mary’s Sewanee — from helping board members explore the property to finding parts and repairing antiquated buildings — each day brings something new.

SMS Kitchen Team

Angelia is a native of the mountain and has lived in the region her entire life. Born “lucky 13” of 14 children, she was raised by loving, Christian parents, to whom she credits her work ethic and her love for music.

When Angelia is not hard at work in the SMS kitchen, she is spending time with her three children or making music with her family. She enjoys writing poetry and songs, playing piano, singing, and learning to play the guitar.

Angelia enjoys her work here at SMS, especially being surrounded by the beauty of the plateau, which she has always called “home”. She is comforted by the voice of the wind floating and sometimes roaring from the bluff. She is also thankful for her co-workers and for a work environment that is focused on helping others.

Property Assistant

Kevin is a valuable and versatile member of the SMS team. His skills as a former millwright industrial mechanic and a pipe welder have made him indispensable in property management. In addition, his experience as a restaurant owner and operator make him an asset to the kitchen crew when they need an extra hand.

Kevin was born and raised in Monteagle and now makes his home with his girlfriend in Alto, Roarks Cove. When he is not hard at work here at St. Mary’s, he enjoys riding his motorcycle through the Smokey Mountains to Louisiana, back to Kentucky, and has traveled throughout the Southeastern states. He enjoys spending time with his family including his son, Jonathon, and grandchildren, Waylon & Abigail.

What Kevin loves most about working at St. Mary’s is the people, the environment, and the stress-free workplace. “Everyone has been so great to me. It is a privilege to work here.”

Reservations Coordinator

Heather McJunkin serves as the Reservations Coordinator assisting guests meet their spiritual and physical needs as they plan for their retreats. She finds joy in her role at St. Mary’s helping others make plans and settle into a peaceful environment and find rest.

Heather is a native to the mountain and lives in Monteagle with her husband, Will, and their family of pets, including Bonnie the chihuahua, and Luca & Gypsy the kitties. When she is not at St. Mary’s, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, crafting, painting, jewelry making, and other mixed media art. She is a student of the Bible and practices daily scripture writing. If you have a mystery to solve, Heather is a “true crime detective” and she might just unravel the most complicated of cases in her spare time!

Heather graduated from MTSU in Music Education, is a certified Cosmetologist instructor, and Phlebotomist. She brings talent, creativity, and excellent organizational skills to the Reservations Department. We are blessed to have her on our team.

Housekeeping Staff

To keep the retreat center sparkling takes a tremendous amount of work and is a labor of Love for the SMS Housekeeping Team.

Brandy Meeks is a native to the mountain community and she enjoys spending time with her husband of more than 17 years and their three beautiful children. She finds joy in cooking for her large family, but likes coming to work with a small staff. Her bright spirit and positive energy are brought to the retreat center everyday.

Kitchen Staff

Lou brings many years of culinary experience to the SMS kitchen. A native to the mountain, she served many years as the cook and manager at Coalmont Elementary School. She now enjoys creating delicious meals here and working with the St. Mary’s team.

Lou has a special connection to the history of St. Mary’s. As a child, she used to help her grandmother who volunteered in the Convent thrift store, played among the clothing racks and even took home a few items to her family. During the Christmas season, she participated in the children’s toy program and remembers fondly being blessed by the Sisters kindness and generosity.

When Lou is not hard at work here, she enjoys studying the Bible and spending time with her lovely family, her husband of 17 years, Fred, and their two beautiful children, Caitlin, 23, and Drew, 14.

Kitchen Staff

Josh Orange grew up in Tracy City and his family enjoyed traveling. He settled down close to his home town in Monteagle. Josh’s smile and joy for his work is contagious. He has worked in the culinary field for nearly a decade and still loves to learn about new dishes and methods of cooking. Josh has been known to try new recipes and test them out on the staff before the guests arrive. His creative spirit is not just in the kitchen but also on the canvas and in the garden, as he is a painter and gardener as well. Josh enjoys working at SMS the most because of the work family and the “glorious sunsets”.

Kitchen Staff

Derrick Parsons is a mountain native from Grundy County. He is a family man first and foremost with “an awesome wife” and three amazing children. His passion is being a husband and father. When he is not busy taking care of his family, he enjoys working on his dad’s truck that was left to him and is very special to him. Second only to his family is his passion for cooking and caring for the guests at SMS. He is careful, considerate, and hardworking when it comes to meal preparations and all that comes with that. Derrick is not afraid of the heavy lifting! He is also a very talented amateur artist. What he likes most about working at SMS is the view at New Hope Bluff and his coworkers.

Housekeeping Team

“Faith, family, and friends” are what is most important to Sarah, who has been at home here on the mountain most her life. When she is not working hard to make SMS sparkle, you might see her at local venues making beautiful music! She plays acoustic music – rock, pop, country and folk. She also enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her three sons or time alone studying her Bible.

Sarah appreciates her work at SMS because of her co-workers, the flexible schedule and beautiful setting. Most of all, she is grateful that she works in a place that provides faith-based events that focus on the inner person.

Weekend Coordinator

A Tennessee native, Sophie is delighted to be back home after a few years spent in Canada, where she completed the coursework for her PhD in English Literature. When she’s not manning the front desk on weekends at St. Mary's, she is busy working on her dissertation, playing with her three-legged cat and exploring the beautiful Cumberland Plateau with her husband. She loves the warm, welcoming atmosphere of St. Mary’s and is privileged to be part of such a mindful and mutually supportive community.