Support Staff
Andrea Towns
Ministry Assistant
andrea@oneontafbc.org
Andrea serves as the Pastor's Ministry Assistant at First Baptist Oneonta. Reared in the home of a Baptist pastor, Andrea has been in church her entire life. Her parents have been a great influence on her life and her Christian walk. Andrea has been married to Mark Towns since 1988. They have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who is a graduate of UAB and is now a high school teacher. Andrea says, "My family is very active at FBC because we love to serve! I think of this position as a ministry, not a job." When not at the church, Andrea enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and working in the yard.
Ministry Assistant
andrea@oneontafbc.org
Andrea serves as the Pastor's Ministry Assistant at First Baptist Oneonta. Reared in the home of a Baptist pastor, Andrea has been in church her entire life. Her parents have been a great influence on her life and her Christian walk. Andrea has been married to Mark Towns since 1988. They have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who is a graduate of UAB and is now a high school teacher. Andrea says, "My family is very active at FBC because we love to serve! I think of this position as a ministry, not a job." When not at the church, Andrea enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and working in the yard.
Sarah Blakely
Ministry Assistant
sarah@oneontafbc.org
Sarah is serving as the Financial Secretary at First Baptist Church. She was married to the late Michael Blakely and has two daughters, Leah and Lara. Leah is attending Wallace State Community College and Lara is homeschooled. Sarah's family resides in Oneonta. They enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing games, and playing with their two dogs. Isaiah 41:10.
Ministry Assistant
sarah@oneontafbc.org
Sarah is serving as the Financial Secretary at First Baptist Church. She was married to the late Michael Blakely and has two daughters, Leah and Lara. Leah is attending Wallace State Community College and Lara is homeschooled. Sarah's family resides in Oneonta. They enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing games, and playing with their two dogs. Isaiah 41:10.
Shana Towns
Ministry Assistant/Children's Coordinator
shana@oneontafbc.org
Shana and her husband Matthew Towns were married in 2015 and have three children: Anna-Marie (4), Charlotte (2), and Hoyt Michael (1), and a golden retriever, Grace. Shana grew up helping and serving in different children’s activities and programs at her home church which included teaching Preschool Sunday School, Awana, Children’s Church, and the Puppet Ministry. Shana has an associate degree in Business Management and has always had a love for children and is so excited to continue serving children at First Baptist. Her prayer is that the Lord will use her to help the children not only in our church but throughout Blount County learn about God’s love for them. When Shana’s not at church, she enjoys doing anything that involves family time, camping, or trying new restaurants! Her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 and her favorite church hymn is “Beulah Land.”
Ministry Assistant/Children's Coordinator
shana@oneontafbc.org
Shana and her husband Matthew Towns were married in 2015 and have three children: Anna-Marie (4), Charlotte (2), and Hoyt Michael (1), and a golden retriever, Grace. Shana grew up helping and serving in different children’s activities and programs at her home church which included teaching Preschool Sunday School, Awana, Children’s Church, and the Puppet Ministry. Shana has an associate degree in Business Management and has always had a love for children and is so excited to continue serving children at First Baptist. Her prayer is that the Lord will use her to help the children not only in our church but throughout Blount County learn about God’s love for them. When Shana’s not at church, she enjoys doing anything that involves family time, camping, or trying new restaurants! Her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 and her favorite church hymn is “Beulah Land.”
Apryl Casey
Pianist
Apryl Casey serves as Pianist for First Baptist Oneonta. She grew up in Blount County where her father, Mike Young, pastored many churches throughout the area. Apryl moved away for a few years, but now resides back in Blount County with her four children: Connor, Chayse, Caylee and Carley, and her husband, Brian. She graduated from Locust Fork High School in 1998 and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Accounting at Jefferson State in 2001 and works for a Birmingham company called Avenu. Her husband Brian works for ALDOT. Apryl has played the piano for different churches over the years but started playing piano for First Baptist in June of 2018. In her spare time, Apryl loves to fish and spend time with her family and keeping them laughing with her self-proclaimed humor, although they laugh at her more than with her. She also enjoys cheering on her favorite football team, Alabama, while trying to keep the peace with her Auburn- loving husband. She loves God and feels so honored to be able to share His love through music.
Pianist
Apryl Casey serves as Pianist for First Baptist Oneonta. She grew up in Blount County where her father, Mike Young, pastored many churches throughout the area. Apryl moved away for a few years, but now resides back in Blount County with her four children: Connor, Chayse, Caylee and Carley, and her husband, Brian. She graduated from Locust Fork High School in 1998 and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Accounting at Jefferson State in 2001 and works for a Birmingham company called Avenu. Her husband Brian works for ALDOT. Apryl has played the piano for different churches over the years but started playing piano for First Baptist in June of 2018. In her spare time, Apryl loves to fish and spend time with her family and keeping them laughing with her self-proclaimed humor, although they laugh at her more than with her. She also enjoys cheering on her favorite football team, Alabama, while trying to keep the peace with her Auburn- loving husband. She loves God and feels so honored to be able to share His love through music.
Child Development Center Staff
Deana Pesnell
Director
deana@oneontafbc.org
Deana joined the CDC family in February of 2013 and became Assistant Director in 2017. She now serves as the Director. She received her bachelor of arts and science degree from Samford University in 1989. In her spare time, Deana enjoys gospel music and spending time with friends and family.
Director
deana@oneontafbc.org
Deana joined the CDC family in February of 2013 and became Assistant Director in 2017. She now serves as the Director. She received her bachelor of arts and science degree from Samford University in 1989. In her spare time, Deana enjoys gospel music and spending time with friends and family.
Shae Tuttle
Assistant Director
shae@oneontafbc.org
Shae has lived in Oneonta all her life and is a 1993 graduate of Oneonta High School. She has been a member of First Baptist Church and an employee of the CDC for five years. She and husband Scott have three daughters: Kayla, Kassidy, and Hailey; and one son, Blake. They also have two granddaughters named Aria and Lennox. Shae and Scott enjoy grilling out with family and watching Alabama Crimson Tide football. Shae shares, "I love working with children and teaching them about God's love."
Assistant Director
shae@oneontafbc.org
Shae has lived in Oneonta all her life and is a 1993 graduate of Oneonta High School. She has been a member of First Baptist Church and an employee of the CDC for five years. She and husband Scott have three daughters: Kayla, Kassidy, and Hailey; and one son, Blake. They also have two granddaughters named Aria and Lennox. Shae and Scott enjoy grilling out with family and watching Alabama Crimson Tide football. Shae shares, "I love working with children and teaching them about God's love."