Church leadership
At Rocky Mount UMC, our dedicated staff and leaders serve and guide our community.
Our Staff
Pastor Keith Vernon
Pastor Keith is grateful to be serving alongside the generous people of Rocky Mount United Methodist Church in the Rocky Mount and Franklin County communities. Pastor Keith completed his theological education at Duke Divinity School’s Advanced Course of Study program in 2021. Pastor Keith was ordained as an elder in full connection with the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church June of 2024. It is evident that Pastor Keith has a deep passion to journey alongside all people serving God through the witness of the local church. He enjoys being outdoors experiencing the gift of God’s creation through nature whenever possible particularly through his hobbies of farming, gardening, and golfing. Pastor Keith and his wife, Sara, are gifted with six adult children (four boys and two girls), three daughter-in-laws, and seven grandchildren.t.
Lynn Meeks
Lynn’s passion and musical talent have been a part of Rocky Mount UMC since 1989. She directs our five music ensembles, teaches music, and plans worship. Lynn holds a Bachelor’s degree in music from Radford University and earned a Church Music certification from the United Methodist Church. Prior to coming the RMUMC, Lynn taught Elementary School Music in Henry County Public Schools and maintained a private music studio of 35 students. In 1996 she became a Diaconal Minister in the United Methodist Church. She and her husband, Mike, have two adult daughters, Emily and Katie, and one cat named Marge.
Pam Thompson
Pam is a native of Franklin County, having grown up in Rocky Mount and Ferrum. She attended Sontag Elementary and graduated from Franklin County High School before beginning a long career in the banking industry. For many years, Pam served as a head teller, bookkeeper, and loan assistant, where she developed a reputation for accuracy, responsibility, and a genuine care for the people she served.
A member of Living Waters Assembly of God for the past six years, Pam is passionate about discipleship and currently teaches a class for ages 13 and up. She has a deep desire to share the presence of the Lord with others and finds great inspiration in the hymn “In the Garden.”
Pam now lives in Bassett with her husband, Terry Young. She is a proud mother and grandmother to two grandchildren, Ayla and Cullen, and plays an active role in supporting their homeschooling.
Valerie Latimer
Valerie manages the church finances in partnership with the Finance Committee. She was the Administrative Assistant for 20 years before becoming the Finance Manager in August 2023. She and her husband, Bill, have three daughters, Britanie, Holly, and Savannah, as wells as five grandchildren. They attend First Baptist Church in Roanoke.
Jeanne Banks
Jeanne plays the piano for Sunday morning worship services and special services throughout the year. A part of Rocky Mount UMC since 2001, she graduated from Ferrum College and James Madison University with degrees in music. Jeanne taught music in Franklin County for 15 years and now teaches piano at home. She and her husband, Marshall, have three adult children, Miranda, Joshua, and Mariah, and three grandchildren.
Jennie Ardis
Jennie began serving as the nursery attendant in March 2017. She graduated from Christopher Newport University with a degree in elementary education and brings with her a wealth of knowledge from years as a teacher, mom, homeschool mom and now Grandma. She is the wife of Jon, mother of three adult children, Avery, Abbie, and Will, and grandmother of Molly, Abraham, Solomon and Nellie.
Rebecca Dillion
Matthew Cooper
Matthew and Amanda are a husband and wife team with roots that run deep in Franklin County. They’ve spent 25 years locally in church and community involvement and together possess the gift of service and hospitality. They are blessed with seven children and love spending time with them at their old home place near Philpott Lake where they have too many animals to count and a lot of woods and water to explore!
Amanda Cooper
Matthew and Amanda are a husband and wife team with roots that run deep in Franklin County. They’ve spent 25 years locally in church and community involvement and together possess the gift of service and hospitality. They are blessed with seven children and love spending time with them at their old home place near Philpott Lake where they have too many animals to count and a lot of woods and water to explore!
Leaders
Rocky Mount UMC has leaders from the congregation serving in key areas in collaboration with staff. All work together to fulfill RMUMC’s guiding mission: to know Jesus and share His love.
- Council Chairperson: P.D. Hambrick
- Lay Leader: Benny Gibson
- Lay Leader to Annual Conference: Katie Meeks
- Staff-Parish Relations: Karla Pagans
- Trustees: Arnold Dillon, Jr.
- Finance: Bill Cooper
- Worship: Glenda Thompson and Cindy St. Clair
- Small Group Superintendent: Cindy St. Clair
- United Women In Faith: Phyllis Lavinder and Melissa Osborne
To contact any of these leaders, reach out to the church office.
We'd love to meet you
Worship services are every Sunday morning at 10:55AM. Come be a part of community of people findng a second chance with Jesus and is passionate about helping you know Jesus and share His love.
Get in Touch with Us
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Address
35 N Main St, Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Phone
(540) 483-5338