Pastor Jeff Coppley
Senior Pastor
Samantha Wesley
Director of Children’s and Intergenerational Ministries
Amy Colona
Director of Weekday Ministries
Kimberly Sparkman
Choir Director
Sheila Bennett
Organist / Pianist
Amy Whicker
Administrative Assistant and Financial Secretary
Kevin and Tonya Vanchure
Church Custodians
Tim Shoaf
Maintenance Technician
I was born and raised in Davidson County N.C. and was blessed to grow up in the United Methodist Church. I married my college sweetheart, Bev Coppley (who is also a UMC Pastor) and we have two adult children and two young grandchildren.
I am an N.C. State University Graduate with a degree in History and a Master of Divinity Graduate from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. I am an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church having served in full time parish ministry since 1991. I first came to Morris Chapel United Methodist Church in June of 2019.
My hobbies include history, travel, and woodworking.
I am an N.C. State University Graduate with a degree in History and a Master of Divinity Graduate from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. I am an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church having served in full time parish ministry since 1991. I first came to Morris Chapel United Methodist Church in June of 2019.
My hobbies include history, travel, and woodworking.
Samantha Wesley
Director of Children’s and Intergenerational Ministries
SAMANTHAW0119@GMAIL.COM
Samantha is a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Asheville with a Bachelor of Science in History. She is a seminary graduate from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree with an emphasis in Christian Education; she is also a certified Christian Educator and a Stephen Leader with the Stephen’s Ministry program. She has over thirty years of experience in the church educating children, youth and adults, ranging from mission trips, Bible studies, program and leader development and much more.
Samantha has a passion for serving the Lord and sharing her gifts and talents with the element of fun, fellowship and sharing the light of Jesus! She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies and sports, and enjoying life!
Samantha has a passion for serving the Lord and sharing her gifts and talents with the element of fun, fellowship and sharing the light of Jesus! She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching movies and sports, and enjoying life!
Amy Colona
Director of Weekday Ministries
Amy was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and moved to Walkertown when she was nine years old. Amy is a graduate of Carver High School and High Point University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Amy has been a part of the Weekday Ministries team for 21 years, teaching 2's, 3's and 4's, and was named Director of the program at the start of the Fall 2015 school year.
Amy and her husband, Jody, have three children, Jody Jr., AmyLynn and Laura Kate.
Amy's son is an Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 922, which meets at Morris Chapel.
She and her family attend Kernersville Wesleyan Church. She has also been a member of Oak Grove Moravian Church all her life. Amy reaffirmed her faith on March 22, 2015, by baptism.
Amy and her husband, Jody, have three children, Jody Jr., AmyLynn and Laura Kate.
Amy's son is an Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 922, which meets at Morris Chapel.
She and her family attend Kernersville Wesleyan Church. She has also been a member of Oak Grove Moravian Church all her life. Amy reaffirmed her faith on March 22, 2015, by baptism.
Kimberly Sparkman
Choir Director
Kimberly became the Director of Music Ministries at Morris Chapel in August 2018. She graduated from Appalachian State University with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees in Finance, and Risk and Insurance, and a minor in Music. She loves Jesus, people, and music, and desires to share that with others.
Kimberly has one child, and two dogs. She enjoys playing flute and piano, completing DIY projects, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
If you are interested in joining the choir or handbell choir, please let Kimberly know. There’s always room for anyone that wants to make a joyful noise!
Kimberly has one child, and two dogs. She enjoys playing flute and piano, completing DIY projects, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
If you are interested in joining the choir or handbell choir, please let Kimberly know. There’s always room for anyone that wants to make a joyful noise!
Sheila Bennett
Organist / Pianist
I accepted Christ as my personal Savior when I was 8 years old during a revival at my home church, City View Baptist, which later became Edgewood Baptist. I joined Morris Chapel when I married my husband, Gary. He was a lifelong member of Morris Chapel until he passed away in 2023.
Gary and I were blessed with three wonderful children, Martha Ellen, who passed away in 1976, and Jill and John; 4 beautiful grandchildren, Jake, Belle, Jack, and Gray.
Gary and I have held many positions at Morris Chapel over the years: custodians, lawn maintenance, youth counselors, and I was church secretary. I became organist/pianist some 40 years ago, just to “fill in.” I am still “filling in” and I plan to continue as long as the Lord allows me to. I love the Lord and I love Morris Chapel!
Gary and I were blessed with three wonderful children, Martha Ellen, who passed away in 1976, and Jill and John; 4 beautiful grandchildren, Jake, Belle, Jack, and Gray.
Gary and I have held many positions at Morris Chapel over the years: custodians, lawn maintenance, youth counselors, and I was church secretary. I became organist/pianist some 40 years ago, just to “fill in.” I am still “filling in” and I plan to continue as long as the Lord allows me to. I love the Lord and I love Morris Chapel!
Amy Whicker
Administrative Assistant and Financial Secretary
Amy committed her life to Christ at a youth retreat in 1983. Serving the Lord with a faithful spirit and compassionate heart is her Christian life mission. Amy was born in Florence, AL but moved to North Carolina when she was young after her father received a job offer.
Amy graduated from Carver High School in 1987. She then attended and graduated from North Carolina State University obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.
She has been a member of the Morris Chapel family since 1999 and currently serves as the Administrative Assistant and Financial Secretary for the church. Amy enjoyed teaching children Sunday School classes and leading the Operation Christmas Child mission at Morris Chapel for many years.
Amy and her husband, Ladd, have two children, Landon and Morgan. Amy enjoys spending time with her kids, flower gardening, beach and mountain trips and Alabama football.
Amy graduated from Carver High School in 1987. She then attended and graduated from North Carolina State University obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.
She has been a member of the Morris Chapel family since 1999 and currently serves as the Administrative Assistant and Financial Secretary for the church. Amy enjoyed teaching children Sunday School classes and leading the Operation Christmas Child mission at Morris Chapel for many years.
Amy and her husband, Ladd, have two children, Landon and Morgan. Amy enjoys spending time with her kids, flower gardening, beach and mountain trips and Alabama football.
Kevin and Tonya Vanchure
Church Custodians
Kevin and Tonya have been helping keep the Church nice and clean for over years now.
Kevin and Tonya have been married for 26 years and have three grown boys. Kyle the oldest graduated from East Carolina University in 2022 with a Criminal Justice degree and a minor in Psychology. Cameron graduated from FTCC Automotive Program in 2023. Connor will graduate from Walkertown High School in 2024 and plans to join the Air Force.
They got involved in Morris Chapel through scouting. Kevin was an Assistant Scout Leader during Cub Scouts starting in 2006. He moved up with the pack and remained an Assistant throughout all three of our boys’ scouting careers. Tonya led Connor's Cub Scout group until he moved up to Boy Scouts. Two of their boys have earned their Eagle Scout rank.
Kevin loves the outdoors and spends most of his time helping his boys work on their cars.
Tonya loves spending time with her friends, family and three cats. She also likes to binge watch tv shows and read romance novels.
Fun Fact: Kevin and Tonya are both twins!
Kevin and Tonya have been married for 26 years and have three grown boys. Kyle the oldest graduated from East Carolina University in 2022 with a Criminal Justice degree and a minor in Psychology. Cameron graduated from FTCC Automotive Program in 2023. Connor will graduate from Walkertown High School in 2024 and plans to join the Air Force.
They got involved in Morris Chapel through scouting. Kevin was an Assistant Scout Leader during Cub Scouts starting in 2006. He moved up with the pack and remained an Assistant throughout all three of our boys’ scouting careers. Tonya led Connor's Cub Scout group until he moved up to Boy Scouts. Two of their boys have earned their Eagle Scout rank.
Kevin loves the outdoors and spends most of his time helping his boys work on their cars.
Tonya loves spending time with her friends, family and three cats. She also likes to binge watch tv shows and read romance novels.
Fun Fact: Kevin and Tonya are both twins!
Tim Shoaf
Maintenance Technician
My work career started on April 4,1990 with the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County schools. I worked in the Grounds Department until December of 1990. I moved into the Electrical Department and learned the trade through 32 years of training and advancing. I obtained my electrical license in 2002. I was Senior Technician for 10 years starting in 2007, I was responsible for maintaining 48 stand-by emergency generators, large HVAC pump motors along with some of its controls. I was also responsible for elevator emergency calls if they failed to work, I would determine whether the elevator company would need to be called. I also traced and marked underground electrical lines when someone was digging or trenching near our lines. In 2018, I was appointed Assistant Electrical Supervisor. In a strange turn of events my supervisor went out for some health reasons, and I immediately had to be both Supervisor and Assistant Supervisor. Due to my supervisor being unable to return, I was appointed to the supervisor role until I retired with 32 years of service.
After retirement I was looking for the void that was now present in my work life. In June of 2023, I was granted a new maintenance position with a wonderful place and people here at Morris Chapel.
After retirement I was looking for the void that was now present in my work life. In June of 2023, I was granted a new maintenance position with a wonderful place and people here at Morris Chapel.