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April is a month when spring is in full bloom. Our calendars fill with community events, and the sense of possibility grows. It is a fitting time to recognize the women whose vision, dedication, and quiet determination help shape the spirit of Texarkana every day.
Behind nearly every thriving community, successful small business, classroom breakthrough, healthcare innovation, or neighborhood improvement effort, there is often a woman whose leadership has made it possible. Even though some lead from boardrooms and city halls, most lead from everyday classrooms, clinics, church buildings, kitchens, and community centers. Many do so without recognition, motivated simply by the desire to make Texarkana stronger, kinder, and more connected.
What defines the women who shape Texarkana is not a single profession, title, or path. They are individuals who turn ideas into opportunities. They are educators who inspire the next generation to dream bigger, be better. They are nonprofit leaders who advocate for those without a voice. They are artists and cultural leaders who remind us that creativity is the beginning of making everything colorful.
They are also mothers, mentors, neighbors, and volunteers. Often, they carry multiple roles at once—balancing careers with family life, professional responsibilities with community service, ambition with compassion. Their influence stretches far beyond what appears on a résumé.
Texarkana has long been a place where leadership is personal. Our community is large enough to grow and innovate, yet small enough that individual effort truly matters. When one woman launches a new program for youth, starts a local business, leads a project, or organizes support for a neighbor in need, the ripple effects can be felt all over.
In this issue, we celebrate women who represent many different fields and backgrounds, and who share a common thread: commitment. Commitment to improve lives. Commitment to strengthen local institutions. Commitment to building a future where opportunity is accessible, and community remains at the center of everything we do.
Their stories remind us that shaping a city does not always happen through grand gestures. More often, it happens through persistence—the daily decision to show up, solve problems, lift others, and keep moving forward.
As readers, we hope you see something familiar in these pages. Perhaps you recognize a colleague, a teacher, a friend, or a mentor. You may see reflections of your own efforts and aspirations. Because the truth is that the women shaping Texarkana are not limited to a single list or feature, they are everywhere in our communities.
They are the reason our community continues to grow daily.
This April, we want you to celebrate them. Thank them. Support their work and, most importantly, recognize that the strength of Texarkana is in the leadership, compassion, and resilience of the women who call it home and who shape it.
Their impact is lasting. Their influence is powerful, and their stories are only just beginning.
THE PUBLISHER Alyssa Jensen From A NOTE
Monica Beeman
Lead With Love, Show Up Anyway: Monica Beeman on Building Community Through Energy, Encouragement and Hard Work
Some people walk into a room quietly; others bring the room with them — and Monica Beeman is the kind of person who prefers the latter. Born in Texas, Beeman’s path has taken her across the country before eventually rooting her work and leadership in the Ark-La-Tex region. “I was born in Lubbock, Texas, and later moved to Tucson, Arizona,” Beeman says. “For my senior year of high school, I relocated to Jacksonville, Florida. After marrying a Navy serviceman, I lived in San Diego before settling in Atlanta in 2004.”
Over the years, she has worn many hats: marketer, gym leader, entrepreneur, community organizer, wife, and mother. “I have been married to Doug Beeman since 2013, and together we love staying active, working out is something we share. We also enjoy heading into Arkansas for cabin getaways, where we can unwind and spend quality time together,” Beeman says. She has also raised two daughters, Abigail, who now lives in Conroe, and Brianna, who lives in Corpus Christi. They have followed their own paths professionally. “Both are geologists working in the field they studied,” she says. “They inspire me every day, not only because they excel in their careers, but because I instilled a strong work ethic in them early on. Seeing them succeed is my greatest joy.”
Yet for many people who encounter her in the community, Beeman is best known for her unmistakable energy. Her nomination described her as the “hype woman everyone wants in their lives.” Beeman replies, “When I hear that, it excites me because it is exactly
who I am,” she says. “I am the ultimate cheerleader, always pushing friends beyond what they think possible. I celebrate every win, male or female.” That enthusiasm — whether directed toward fitness, business, or local events — reflects a philosophy that shapes nearly everything she does, Beeman says.
Walk through the doors of Cass County Fitness in Atlanta and, according to Beeman, the atmosphere matters as much as the equipment. “A typical day for me as General Manager at Cass County Fitness feels like the TV show ‘Cheers’ the moment I walk in,” Beeman says. “Everyone is greeted and acknowledged.” She describes a routine centered on interaction rather than administration. “I am intentional about making sure members know I am there for them,” she says. “Whether it is helping with billing, guiding a workout, or showing them how to use a machine.”
Her role, she says, is not limited to management tasks. “My day is filled with high-fives, hugs, conversations, and, most importantly, building relationships,” she says. “Every interaction is about making sure they feel valued and loved.” Beeman believes a gym environment can shape how comfortable people feel about starting a fitness journey. “What makes someone feel comfortable walking into Cass County Fitness is immediate, genuine acceptance,” she says.
According to Beeman, the result is a culture built around inclusion. “I foster positivity, body inclusivity, and equal respect whether someone is a bodybuilder or on their first step,” she says. That commitment also influences how she motivates members who feel discouraged. “I motivate people by being relatable,” Beeman says. “I show them I am human too.”
Beeman points to her own life experiences as part of that connection. “I have been a collegiate athlete, a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, and a community leader,” she says. “I have been obese, divorced — I have lived many phases.” Those experiences, she says, allow her to meet people where they are. “I remind them they are not alone,” Beeman says. “They can overcome.”
Ultimately, the goal is to help members leave with renewed confidence. “When someone leaves my gym, I hope they feel truly appreciated and empowered,” she says. “I want them to leave believing they can tackle any hard thing in life.”
One of Beeman’s proudest moments at Cass County Fitness comes from her interaction with a special client, Jacky Rogers, who was featured on the TV show My 600-lb Life. “At Jacky’s highest weight, she was 710 pounds, and she chose to go on national television and show the world that she could do the hard things. They filmed her at her lowest emotional moments. They filmed her at her most vulnerable. However, instead of hiding, she pushed through the pain, the fear, and the self-doubt and showed up for herself anyway. Today, she is around 300 pounds. That kind of courage is rare. I sometimes worry about wearing shorts in public because of what people might think, and here she was showing her whole story to the world. To me, that is true bravery. She proved that no matter how hard the journey is, you can choose to fight for yourself. Helping her on that journey was incredibly rewarding, and to see Jackie stay committed, transforming her life, those are the moments that mean everything to me,” Beeman says.
While Beeman spends much of her time inside the gym, her work increasingly extends into large-scale community events. One of those projects began with a simple conversation between mother and daughter. “Pickle Fest Texarkana was inspired by a moment when my daughter FaceTimed me from a pickle festival in Corpus Christi,” Beeman says. “Seeing how fun it was, I realized Texarkana did not have anything like that.”
The idea quickly gained momentum. “I posted the idea last April, and the excitement exploded,” she says. “From that moment, I organized it myself over six months.” Beeman says she initially expected a modest gathering. “I never imagined it would grow so huge in its first year,” she says. Instead, attendance reached about 15,000 people.
With the success of Pickle Fest Texarkana came additional opportunities. The team behind the Texarkana Air Show later approached her about helping. “I became involved with the Texarkana Air
Show after the success of founding Pickle Fest,” Beeman says. “The air show team reached out to me specifically to coordinate their vendors.” Her role focuses on connecting local businesses and event organizers. “As vendor coordinator, I leverage my local contacts and experience with food and retail vendors,” she says.
For Beeman, events like these serve a larger purpose than entertainment. “What I love most is seeing people set aside their stress and just be present,” she says. Watching families and neighbors interact is part of what motivates her continued involvement.
“Whether it is kids beaming or adults smiling, these events give them a chance to enjoy a unique, local experience without traveling to a big city,” she says. Beeman says those moments illustrate how shared activities can strengthen community ties. “I love watching them relax, enjoy a pickle, and spend quality time with family,” she says. “It is that joy and sense of belonging that makes bringing the community together so rewarding.”
Beyond events and fitness, Beeman’s work often centers on community support initiatives. “At Cass County Fitness, giving back has always been important to me,” she says. Her first efforts focused on seasonal drives. “Since we opened in 2021, I started with blanket drives and then transitioned to food drives for the last three years,” she says. Food insecurity in the region influenced that decision. “Food is fundamental, both for life and even for fueling workouts,” Beeman says. “I know that some families struggle.”
Beeman is also expanding her nonprofit efforts through Pickle Fest Texarkana. “Pickle Fest Texarkana is now a nonprofit,” she says. “Starting in April, we will be giving back through a Blessing Box.” The initiative will operate as a small
community pantry. “The first box will be outside at Cass County Fitness in Atlanta, and later expanding into Texarkana,” Beeman says. The concept is simple, she explains. “It is a mini food pantry, free for anyone in need. Take what you need, give what you can, and be blessed.”
When speaking of leadership, Beeman’s view is closely tied to encouraging others. “For me, leadership is about empowering others to make their own decisions, knowing I have their back,” she says. That philosophy shapes how she
interacts with colleagues and volunteers. “I lead by fostering trust and independence,” Beeman says. “Encouraging them to solve problems and grow.” She acknowledges that mistakes are part of the process. “If things go wrong, I guide them to learn,” she says. “But always with care.”
Beeman also offers advice for those who feel intimidated by new challenges. “Find that one thing you already feel good about,” she says. “Something you know, something you do well, or something you care about.” From there, she says, confidence often grows gradually. “On days when you are not feeling it, you still show up,” Beeman says. “Sometimes you do have to fake it a little.”
When asked about guidance for younger women, Beeman emphasizes action over hesitation. “My advice to young women is simple: do not wait until you feel ready or confident to go after something that matters to you,” she says. Confidence, she argues, often arrives after effort rather than before. “Work hard, be kind to people, and stay true to who you are,” Beeman says. “The impact you make
in
of
As she continues to manage the gym, organize events, and expand nonprofit efforts, Beeman says her motivation remains rooted in relationships. “My first love is marketing,” she says, “but to me marketing has never been about selling — it is about relationships.” That perspective, she says, connects the different chapters of her career. “From being a stay-at-home mom, to owning a marketing company, to running a gym, competing as a
bodybuilder, and founding Pickle Fest Texarkana, my journey has taken many turns,” Beeman says.
Looking ahead, she expects focus on people to remain constant as new ideas and community initiatives emerge across the region. “My motto is simple,” she says. “When you lead with love for people and confidence from within, you will find the courage to chase the things that once scared you.”
LaTonya Darneish Estell
Building True Wealth on Trust, Service,
and Legacy: The Story of LaTonya Darneish Estell
In a world that often measures success by financial gain alone, Estell has built a career reminding people that real wealth begins with something far more valuable.
Estell, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, spends her days helping families, employees, and business owners think differently about money, security, and the future they want to build. Behind the portfolios and financial plans is a story deeply rooted in faith, family, and service— values that began shaping her life long before she ever stepped into the financial industry.
“At the end of the day, my work is not simply about markets—it is about people,” Estell says. “It is about helping families plan their future, helping employees understand their benefits, helping people establish or manage wealth, supporting people through life transitions, and building relationships rooted in trust. My goal each day is simple: serve people well and help them make financial decisions that create lasting security and opportunity for their future.”
For hometown readers across the Texarkana region, Estell’s journey reflects something many recognize: the power of community, perseverance, and a deep belief that success should lift others along the way.
Long before she began advising families about investments and retirement strategies, Estell built an impressive career in human resources. For nearly two decades, she served in executive leadership roles, helping organizations develop strong workplace cultures, valuable benefit plans, and effective leadership.
“Before I entered financial services, I spent 18 years working in human resources leadership roles,” Estell says. “My work focused on developing leaders, strengthening workplace culture, and building—sometimes rebuilding— systems that helped organizations thrive.”
Her expertise earned her nationally recognized credentials, including the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation in 2010, and later the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) in 2015. She further strengthened her expertise by earning the SHRM-SCP credential around 2018, the Society for Human Resource Management’s highest certification.
“I have always been passionate about helping people grow professionally and personally,” she explains. “HR allowed me to support employees and leaders in ways that strengthened companies on different levels— financially and culturally.”
Her work also extended into professional development programs that continue to impact people today. One of those initiatives was a certification training program designed to help HR professionals who had previously struggled to pass credentialing exams.
“We created a Second Chance Certification Training Program that helped professionals who had been unsuccessful on certification exams come back, prepare again, and succeed,” Estell says. “That program continues today and has helped hundreds of HR professionals prepare for certification and advance their careers.”
Those years of leadership and mentorship eventually led her toward a new professional calling—financial advising. “My brother, who is also a financial advisor, actually introduced me to this industry,” she says. “In many ways, he helped start this journey.” Within just a few years at Edward Jones, Estell moved quickly through personal-achievement levels and advanced the existing practice to the highest level in its history, earning recognition early in her career for strong growth and client development.
However, for her, the profession is less about financial performance and more about the relationships behind it. “When someone sits across the table from me, they are not just a portfolio—they are a person with dreams, fears, children, grandchildren, and goals for the future,” she says. “Understanding those things is essential. If you do not understand what matters most to someone, you cannot truly help them make financial decisions that support the life they want to build.”
Money is one of the most sensitive topics families face, which means trust is the foundation of every financial conversation. Estell believes that trust begins with listening. That process often starts with simple but meaningful questions. “I ask families a lot
of questions—how they feel about money, what their experiences have been with investing, what their goals are, and most importantly, who matters most to them,” Estell says. “Once you understand the heart of what someone is trying to accomplish for their family or business, building a financial strategy becomes much easier.”
That approach has allowed her to guide clients not only through routine financial planning but also through major life transitions and business transactions. “The most rewarding moments are when the lightbulb comes on for someone who may have never believed their future could feel secure,” she says. “I love sitting with a family who may have never invested before and helping them see that with a thoughtful strategy, they can prepare for retirement, travel, support their children’s education, make solid business decisions, and live without the fear of running out of money.”
She also spends time addressing common misconceptions about investing. “One of the most common misconceptions is that if we avoid looking at the future, things will somehow work themselves out,” Estell explains. “Many people assume Social Security will be enough or that their paycheck alone is their only source of financial progress. However, money can work for you just as much as you work for it.”
Investing early and consistently, she says, can dramatically change long-term outcomes. “Another misconception is that having a financial advisor is only for very wealthy people,” she says. “In reality, planning is most powerful when people start early and build gradually.”
In the financial services industry, Estell’s presence carries additional significance. She is the only AfricanAmerican female financial advisor in her Edward Jones region. Yet she approaches that milestone with humility. “It has been an amazing journey,” she says. “I have never approached it feeling like an outsider because I truly believe in meeting people as individuals. I do not look at people through the lens of background, race, or gender. I see people first.”
Her confidence comes from a strong sense of purpose and faith. “What keeps me steady is knowing who I am and whom God created me to be,” Estell says. “When you have that foundation, you do not walk into rooms wondering if you belong—you walk in knowing you do.”
Her advice for young women considering careers in finance or business reflects that same confidence.
“Know that you are needed in those rooms,” Estell says. “Women bring empathy, perspective, and a natural ability to connect with people. Many individuals feel more comfortable discussing financial and professional goals with someone who truly listens and understands their concerns.”
She also encourages women not to be discouraged by unfamiliar environments. “Do not be intimidated if you find yourself in a space where you are the only woman,” she says. “Your voice and your perspective matter more than you realize.”
While Estell spends much of her professional life helping clients build wealth, her understanding of legacy comes from far more humble beginnings. The person who shaped her earliest views on wealth was her grandmother. “My grandmother worked as a janitor for a medical practice on Summerhill Road,” Estell says. “When she retired, she did not have a retirement plan because that benefit simply was not offered to her.” Despite living on a limited income, her grandmother made sure generosity remained central to family life. “Even though she lived on Social Security and a fixed income, every Christmas our family would gather in her home, and somehow she always had a gift for every single person in the family—even those who did not show up,” Estell recalls.
The gifts were often simple. “Sometimes it was a few dollars in an envelope. Sometimes it might be a package of socks, a T-shirt, or underwear that she had divided up so everyone would receive something,” she says. “It might not have always been the exact size you wanted, but it did not matter—you were going to receive something.”
Those memories reshaped the way Estell understands wealth. “What she taught us was that wealth is not about the amount of money you have—it is about
generosity and making sure the people you love feel cared for,” she says. “She made love an action word.”
Her mother continued that legacy, teaching practical financial responsibility. “My mother taught us budgeting, responsibility, and the importance of managing money well from a young age,” Estell says. Together, those influences created the philosophy she carries into her professional work. “Because of them, I learned that true wealth includes faith, generosity, wisdom, and the ability to care for others,” she says. “Money is just one part of the picture.”
For Estell, generational wealth involves more than assets. “When I talk about generational wealth, I am talking about both sides of the equation—building financial stability and assets, but also passing down the wisdom, values, and habits that help future generations manage those resources well,” she says. “That is why I enjoy working with multiple family generations—parents, their children, and grandchildren.”
Outside the office, Estell’s life is filled with family, faith, and service to the community she has called home for decades. She and her husband, Collins Estell Jr., share a story that began in childhood. “I am married to my third-grade first love, Collins,” she says with a smile. “After more than forty years apart, we had the opportunity to reconnect and build a life together, and it has truly been one of the greatest joys of my life.”
Collins, a retired U.S. Army veteran and current police officer, now works within the Texas A&M University System in Texarkana. Together, they lead a large, blended family. “We have eleven children and several grandchildren who bring tremendous joy to our lives,” Estell says. “What makes us proudest is not just their accomplishments, but the kind of people they are.” She describes motherhood as one of the most
meaningful roles she holds. “Being the glue that holds the family together means love and sacrifice,” she says. “It means showing up for your children whenever they need you and reminding them that they are never alone.”
Faith also shapes the way she leads. “My faith influences everything I do,” Estell says. “One of the scriptures I live by reminds us to work as though we are working for the Lord in everything we do.” That mindset shapes her approach to integrity and leadership. “I believe in doing the right thing even when no one else is watching,” she says. “Character matters too much to compromise.”
Her commitment to service extends throughout the Texarkana region, where she has volunteered for more than 25 years with civic, nonprofit, and faithbased organizations. “Community service has always been important to me because none of us succeed alone,” Estell says. “Every opportunity I have had in life has been connected to people who invested their time, encouragement, and support into others.” Whether through mentoring, leadership boards, or church involvement, she sees service as a shared responsibility.
Estell’s professional and personal journey continues to evolve. She is currently expanding her practice to include becoming an advisor of record for more workplace retirement plans, speaking to more groups around financial literacy, and preparing future writing focused on redesigning wealth and personal finance. “My goal has always been to encourage people to think differently about their purpose, their work, and their potential,” she says.
As more families begin planning not just for retirement but for legacy, she believes the conversations around money will continue to change. “Helping people build financial security is important,” Estell says. “But helping them create a legacy that blesses the next generation is the work that truly matters.”
In the years ahead, she hopes those conversations grow louder across living rooms, workplaces, and communities throughout the region—one family, one investment, and one story at a time.
Congratulations, Paige! Congratulations, Paige! Total Medical Supply proudly congratulates
Paige
Godfrey
ON BEING RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF
MAGAZINE
WOMEN WHO SHAPE
TEXARKANA
Honoring CFO of Total Medical Supply
Paige’s leadership, dedication, and commitment to excellence continue to drive innovation and growth while strengthening healthcare access throughout our community. Her vision and passion make a lasting impact on both our organization and the Texarkana region.
We are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.
— Your Team at Total Medical Supply
reports. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in people—patients, employees, children, and the community she calls home.
“Patients Over Profit” :
How Paige Godfrey Is Proving Leadership Is About People
In a world where spreadsheets often get more attention than people, Paige Godfrey has built a career proving that the numbers only matter if they serve something bigger.
Godfrey, Chief Financial Officer at Total Medical Supply and a board member of the nonprofit We Are Washington, is known around Texarkana as a leader whose work reaches far beyond financial
“I was born in Ada, Oklahoma, but I have lived in Texarkana since I was about seven years old, so this community truly feels like home to me,” Godfrey says. “I attended Wake Village Elementary, Texas Middle School, and Texas High School before continuing my education at Texas A&M University–Texarkana, where I earned both my Bachelor’s in Business Administration in Accounting and my Master’s in Business Administration.”
Her story is one that hometown readers may recognize: deep local roots, strong family influences, and a career built through persistence and opportunity. “Two things I always knew I wanted to be were a mother and a businesswoman,” she says. “My oldest son, Walker, was born right after I graduated with my bachelor’s degree. My second son, Wyatt, was born shortly after I completed my MBA.” Life brought a brief chapter away from
Texarkana when she moved to Missouri, where she continued developing her professional career. “Later, while living in Springfield, Missouri, my youngest son, Kaegan, was born while I was working for a nonprofit children’s home and a CPA firm based in Kansas City,” she says. “I lived in Springfield for about two years, but Texarkana has always been where my heart is.”
Returning home eventually led her back to the company, where she would grow into a major leadership role. “When I came back, I knew I wanted to return to Total Medical Supply,” she explains. “I started there in 2016 as a financial analyst, but over the years, I stepped into many roles, including human resources, operations, marketing, and really whatever was needed at the time. Today I serve as the Chief Financial Officer.”
Her career path reflects a willingness to do whatever the moment demands—something that has shaped both her leadership and the company’s success. “I genuinely love business and love seeing organizations grow and evolve, especially when that growth allows you to help more people,” Godfrey says.
When people describe Godfrey as a leader whose influence stretches beyond accounting reports, the compliment resonates deeply with her. “That means a lot to me because I have never believed that leadership is just about numbers,” she says. “The numbers matter, of course, but behind every number is a patient, an employee, a family, or a community member.”
Her perspective is rooted in the human reality behind the financial world. “For me, leadership is about people,” Godfrey says. “It is about making decisions that help our team grow, that allow us to serve our patients well, and that ultimately make our community stronger.” At Total Medical Supply, the financial strategy she oversees is crucial to the company’s mission. However, she is quick to point out that the purpose extends well beyond profit margins. “If the work I do financially helps create opportunities for others or helps someone receive the care they need, then I feel like I am doing my job the right way,” she says.
Godfrey’s interest in business began early in life,
influenced by both family and hands-on exposure to entrepreneurship. “I have always loved numbers, which is probably not surprising since my mom is an accountant,” she says. “But another big influence on me growing up was my godparents. They operated several businesses—farming, trucking, and other ventures—and they had me helping in the office from a very young age.”
Those early experiences left a lasting impression. “I remember filing paperwork, writing checks, and even making phone calls,” she says. “Watching them build and run their businesses and seeing the work it took to keep everything moving really shaped me.” That environment planted the seeds for a career focused on leadership and problem-solving. “That is where I truly fell in love with business,” Godfrey says. “Over time, I realized how important financial leadership is in helping organizations grow, solve problems, and create opportunities for others, and that is what ultimately drew me into finance and executive leadership.”
Her professional development was also shaped by strong mentorship within the company. “Without a doubt, working under Donnie Reid prepared me the most for stepping into the role of CFO,” she says. “He has been an incredible mentor to me.” Godfrey credits Reid with setting high standards while offering unwavering support. “I often say he is like a second dad to me,” she says. “He has always had very high expectations and has pushed me to grow, both personally and professionally, in ways I probably would not have pushed myself at times. At the same time, he has supported and encouraged me every step of the way,” she says. “Watching how he leads, how he makes decisions, and how deeply he cares about the mission has taught me more than any textbook ever could.”
Inside Total Medical Supply, Godfrey’s days are rarely predictable. “No two days are ever the same, which is something I really enjoy. A lot of my time is spent reviewing our financials and helping translate those numbers into information our leadership team can use to make good decisions,” Godfrey explains. “My role also touches so many other areas of the business—payroll, marketing, strategy, problemsolving, and sometimes just jumping in wherever help is needed,” she says.
Her mission centers on a guiding philosophy. “Our motto is ‘Patients Over Profit,’ and that is not just something we say—it really guides our decisions,” she says. Operating in healthcare adds layers of responsibility that go beyond standard business strategy. “Healthcare is definitely a unique industry because the decisions we make do not just affect a company, they affect people’s health and quality of life,” Godfrey says.
The company’s leadership works to ensure financial sustainability without losing sight of that purpose. Several milestones stand out along the way, including securing a major supplier relationship. “One was helping lead the effort to secure a direct contract with a manufacturer before we began providing continuous glucose monitors,” she says. “That process involved a lot of research, presentations, and persistence, but it opened the door for major growth for our company.”
Another defining moment came during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. “At the time, we did not even have an IT department,” Godfrey recalls. “Almost overnight, we had to figure out how to transition our entire team to working remotely so our patients would continue receiving the supplies they depended on.” The challenge forced the organization to innovate quickly. “It was a huge challenge, but our team pulled together and made it happen,” she says. “Looking back, moments like those remind me how resilient and dedicated our team really is.”
Beyond the corporate world, Godfrey’s leadership extends into the nonprofit sector through her work with We Are Washington. Helping young people has long been close to her heart, and her involvement began through early outreach initiatives. “Early on, we started I Am A Hero and hosted free basketball camps for kids in the community,” she says. “Seeing the impact that even small efforts could make really stuck with me.” Later, a larger opportunity emerged. “While I was living in Springfield, Donnie purchased the Washington school and began developing the vision for what it could become,” Godfrey explains.
When she returned to Texarkana and saw the project firsthand, she immediately wanted to
help. Today, the nonprofit focuses on mentorship, education, sports, and career exposure for children who may lack support systems. “There is nothing quite like seeing those little smiling faces walk through the doors and knowing that the programs and opportunities we are creating could truly change the trajectory of their lives,” Godfrey says.
She believes the impact of encouragement and mentorship cannot be overstated. “I truly believe that the right encouragement, mentorship, and opportunities can change the entire trajectory of a child’s life,” she says. Through We Are Washington, leaders aim to offer children something many may be missing. “Sometimes all it takes is one person believing in them, setting expectations for them, and showing them what they are capable of,” she says. The transformation can be remarkable.
“We have received letters from educators and other professionals who work with our kids talking about the growth they have seen in them, not just academically, but in their confidence and attitude,” Godfrey says. “Parents often tell us how much their children love coming to Washington and how much the support means to their family,” she says.
Programs like sports play an important role in that development. “They teach kids how to work as part of a team, how to push through challenges, and how to keep going even when things are hard,” Godfrey says. “It is not always about winning; it is about the lessons they learn along the way.”
At the center of Godfrey’s life is her role as a mother to three sons. “My three sons are truly the center of my world,” she says. Each child brings a different personality to the family. “Walker is 10, and he has the kindest heart,” Godfrey says. “He is incredibly smart and thoughtful, and he made me a mom, which will always make him my first true love.”
Her second son shares a different kind of energy. “Wyatt is 7, and he is brilliant, funny, and full of determination,” she says. “He wants to be the best at everything he does, and I love watching that drive in him.” And then there is the youngest. “Kaegan is 4, and I always call him my ‘sour patch kid,’” she says with a laugh. “He is hilarious, sweet, and fiercely independent all at the same time. Being their mom is the greatest blessing of my life,” Godfrey says. “They motivate me every single day to be the best version of myself.”
Balancing leadership, community work, and parenting can make for long days. “Honestly, some days it feels like there just are not enough hours in the day,” she admits. However, the purpose behind each role keeps her moving forward. “At Total Medical Supply, we are helping patients receive the supplies they depend on,” she says. “At We Are Washington, we are investing in kids and families in our community.”
At home, her sons are watching. “I want them to see that working hard, helping others, and giving back to your community really matters,” Godfrey says.
Godfrey’s advice for young women today is simple. “You can accomplish anything you set your mind to, but you have to be willing to work for it. There will be moments where things feel uncomfortable, where people doubt you, or where the path forward is not
clear. Those moments do not mean you should stop; they usually mean you are growing. Believe in yourself, surround yourself with people who encourage you, and do not let anyone else place limits on what you can achieve,” she says.
As Paige reflects on a woman she admires, she says, “Julie Franklin is who I greatly admire. She is one of the hardest-working people I have ever met. She is an incredible mother, a loyal friend, and someone who would truly give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. At Total Medical Supply, she has been a steady, dependable presence over the years, and I truly consider her the backbone of the organization. I have so much respect for her work ethic, her loyalty, and the way she shows up for the people around her every single day.”
Looking ahead, Godfrey remains focused on expanding impact—within business, within nonprofit work, and across the Texarkana community she loves. In boardrooms and classrooms alike, she continues to invest in people, believing that when individuals are given opportunity, encouragement, and belief, the ripple effects can transform far more than a balance sheet.
Handmade Resin & Polymerclay Artist
Lyndsey McKinnon
When God Gives You Eyes to See: The Story Behind Lyndsey McKinnon and
Eyes to See Ministry
Some people build businesses. Others build ministries. Lyndsey McKinnon has spent much of her life doing both — often while quietly rebuilding herself.
Today, the Texarkana native is the founder of Eyes to See Ministry, a fastgrowing local effort focused on trauma recovery, relationship education, and healing for people navigating abuse, toxic relationships, and deep personal wounds. However, the road that brought her back home to launch the ministry is anything but simple.
Her story stretches from a turbulent childhood in Texarkana to entrepreneurship across multiple states, through personal crisis and spiritual transformation, and ultimately to a calling she now believes God was preparing all along.
“I grew up in Texarkana, but my parents were divorced when I was three. My story really begins, after their divorce, in a home filled with instability, chaos, and deep emotional wounds,” McKinnon says. “My mother struggled with alcoholism, extreme codependency, and a constant need to have a man in her life.” There was always fighting, yelling, door slamming, toxic relationship patterns, and emotional volatility with her mother’s revolving door of boyfriends. “Going to my father’s house every other weekend while my mom had custody of me was my refuge,” she says.
Those early experiences left a mark long before she had the language to understand them.
“As a child, I was exposed to far too much, far too young,” she says. “I carried emotional weight that no little girl should have to carry. I was made to feel small,
adult issues were placed on me before I could process them, and I learned early to become hyperaware of everyone else’s emotions.”
Children in chaotic environments often develop survival strategies, and McKinnon says hers became a relentless drive for achievement. “When you grow up in that kind of environment, you do not spend your childhood simply being a child,” she explains. “My coping mechanism became performance. I tried to do more, be more, accomplish more, achieve more, and become whatever I thought people needed me to be.” That drive would eventually lead to impressive accomplishments at a very young age. McKinnon graduated from high school at just sixteen.
However, one stabilizing presence made a critical difference in her early life. McKinnon’s father gained custody, and she was raised largely by him and her grandmother.
“My dad was my safe parent,” she says. “He was godly, steady, grace-filled, and prayerful. I truly do not know who I would be today had I not had that one safe parent in my life.” That experience shaped one of the lessons she now shares frequently with parents. “One safe place is better than no safe place,” McKinnon says. “One healthy parent can make an extraordinary difference in the life of a child. You may not be able to control everything your child experiences, but you can be their refuge.” McKinnon’s early adulthood moved quickly. She briefly pursued a career path in the Air Force, training for a specialized contract rarely offered to women. When that opportunity fell through, she redirected her energy into the fitness industry. “I became a personal trainer, which led to Zumba, which led to my studio,” she says.
At just nineteen years old, McKinnon opened Texarkana’s first Zumba studio. Demand grew rapidly. “Women wanted more than just cardio, so I developed my own program, certified other instructors in it, and got certified in nutrition so I could better serve the women coming to me,” she says. “At one point, my classes regularly had over one hundred women in them.” However, fitness was not the only venture she pursued.
While working at a local flea market and building furniture for resale, McKinnon recognized a gap in the local market. “I saw a need in the community for something better,” she explains. “A flea market
or vendor space that felt cleaner, brighter, more welcoming, and better run.” With encouragement from the owner of the market where she worked, she opened the first Owl’s Nest vendor mall while simultaneously launching her fitness business.
From the outside, success seemed to be stacking up quickly. Internally, life was unraveling. “I was trying to fill an internal void with achievement, relationships, and success,” she says. “But none of it could fix what was broken inside.” In her early twenties, that pain reached a breaking point. “I attempted suicide and should not even be here today,” McKinnon says quietly. “God spared my life, and that moment marked a shift.”
Even then, healing would take years.
After a divorce and significant personal losses, McKinnon entered what she now recognizes as an abusive relationship that lasted nearly eight years. Looking back, she says the relationship began with overwhelming affection. “I met a man who made me feel chosen, adored, and finally enough,” she says. “After a lifetime of feeling unworthy and unseen, it felt like the answer to everything I had ever longed for.”
Soon after meeting, she moved to Kansas and married him. What followed, she says, was a marriage shaped by emotional and psychological abuse. “For years I did not have language for what I was living through,” McKinnon explains. “I just knew I was constantly trying to earn peace, trying to manage his moods, trying to become the right version of myself to keep things stable.”
Remarkably, during those same years, she built a series of successful businesses. “With less than two thousand dollars, I negotiated a lease with abated rent and opened Owl’s Nest in Topeka, Kansas,” she says. The venture expanded quickly. “It grew rapidly and eventually became a 23,000-square-foot store,” she says. “The next year, I opened another location after being offered the chance to purchase a 16,000-square-foot building.”
Soon after, she launched a nonprofit thrift store called The Giving Tree. “It was created to serve the community with dignity and affordability,” she says. Despite pandemic challenges and other setbacks, the nonprofit continues to thrive today. “In 2025 alone, The Giving Tree gave away over $145,000 worth of
items through our voucher program to thousands of families in Topeka,” McKinnon says.
Behind the scenes, however, life was still unraveling. “I was also overworking to avoid my home life,” she says. “Behind closed doors, my marriage had become a place of fear, confusion, coercive control, rage, humiliation, and instability.” The stress eventually manifested physically. “I coped through binge eating, and at one point I found myself at 210 pounds at only five feet tall,” she says. “It was the realization that I had become unrecognizable to myself.”
That realization became a turning point.
McKinnon’s healing journey began through counseling and intensive personal work. A major shift came during a retreat program in Tennessee. “I thought it was simply a program for high performers experiencing burnout,” she says. “Instead, it exposed how much my childhood wounds were dictating my adult choices.”
Through further counseling and a retreat with the organization Called to Peace, she began to understand the dynamics of narcissistic abuse. “I had never once called myself a victim of abuse,” she says. “I truly thought abuse happened to other women, not to women like me.” During that season, she experienced what she describes as a profound spiritual realization. “God spoke to me in that season in a way I will never forget,” McKinnon says. “He showed me that He was not ignoring my prayers. He was waiting for me to have eyes to see.”
That phrase would eventually become the name of her ministry.
“The name ‘Eyes to See’ comes from a phrase Jesus used many times in scripture: ‘Those who have eyes to see, let them see,’” she explains. For McKinnon, the phrase represents a turning point many people experience during healing. “When someone has lived inside trauma or toxic relationships for a long time, they often cannot see clearly what is happening,” she says. “The patterns feel normal because they are all they have ever known.”
Healing, she says, often begins with clarity. “So the name Eyes to See represents that
awakening — the moment when confusion turns into clarity, shame turns into understanding, and someone finally begins to see themselves and their story through truth instead of fear.”
After leaving the marriage and finalizing her divorce, McKinnon began training as a biblical counselor while helping other women navigate abuse recovery and court processes. “Women would sit across from me and pour out their stories, often things they had never told anyone before,” she says. Those conversations eventually led to something larger. “I began to realize that what I had walked through had given me the ability to see things clearly that many people could not yet see for themselves,” McKinnon says.
In 2023, she sensed a strong pull to return to Texarkana. “I felt God clearly call me back,” she says. After buying a home in town, she began meeting women informally for counseling. “I started meeting with women wherever I could, always for free,” McKinnon says.
Eventually, she leased a counseling office despite having no plan to charge clients. Soon after, she began teaching a church class titled “Is It Abuse?” which eventually evolved into the broader course now known as “Eyes to See: Healing from Hurts, Traumas, and Toxic Relationships.”
Attendance grew rapidly. “Women came in droves because the need was so deep,” she says. By spring 2025, the classes had outgrown their available space. Then, in what she describes as an unexpected moment of provision, a solution appeared. “I ran into John Michael Bullock at Local Habit,”
McKinnon recalls. “I mentioned that I was praying for a building before classes started the next week.”
Bullock offered a solution almost immediately. “He told me he had a building and took the time to show it to me,” she says. “It was an old church called DWELL, complete with a sanctuary and chairs — exactly what we needed.” The space now hosts weekly classes. “It was as though God had prepared it ahead of time,” she says.
McKinnon now counsels men and women through Eyes to See Ministry while continuing to teach classes focused on trauma recovery and healthy relationships.
One of the first things she tells new participants is that healing rarely looks the way people expect. “Healing does not mean life suddenly becomes perfect,” she says. “It does not mean you never feel anxious again or that the past never affects you.” Instead, recovery often begins with understanding how trauma affects the body and mind. “For many people, their nervous system has spent years in survival mode,” she explains. That state, she says, shapes nearly every aspect of life. Recovery involves learning to regulate that response and rebuild a sense of safety.
Another powerful moment in the healing process, she says, happens when people are finally believed. “For many people, it is something they have not experienced in a very long time — sometimes ever,” McKinnon says. That moment can restore dignity after years of doubt and manipulation.
For people quietly carrying pain, McKinnon hopes her story sends a simple message. “You are not crazy. You are not alone. And you are not broken,” she says. Many survivors of trauma spend years believing something is fundamentally wrong with them. “The truth is, many people are not broken — they are wounded, confused, and reacting to situations they never had the tools to understand,” she says. “If someone reading this feels like they are silently carrying something heavy, my encouragement would be this: do not stay isolated.”
McKinnon also speaks directly to young women navigating relationships and identity. “First, know your worth before you hand your heart to someone else,” she says. Without a strong sense of identity, she warns, relationships can become sources of
validation rather than partnership. “If you do not already know your value, it becomes very easy to stay in relationships that slowly chip away at your confidence and identity.”
She also encourages young women to prioritize character over chemistry. “Chemistry can feel exciting and intense,” McKinnon says. “But character is what determines whether a relationship will actually be healthy and safe.”
Boundaries, she adds, are essential. “It is not unkind to protect your peace,” she says. “It is not wrong to say no.”
Each Wednesday evening, women continue gathering at DWELL on North Bishop Street for the growing Eyes to See classes. For McKinnon, those rooms full of people seeking healing represent something far bigger than a program.
They represent a future still unfolding — one story at a time.
If anyone is needing assistance, please visit www.eyestoseeministry.com.
Dan L. Martin, DOM Doctor of Oriental Medicine
Catie Swenson
Faith, Family, and the Work of Showing Up: The Heart Behind Catie Swenson
In communities like Texarkana, leadership often looks different than a title or a boardroom. Sometimes it looks like a mother driving between hospitals to see her newborn. Sometimes it looks like a stranger sitting beside a frightened parent in a NICU waiting room, and sometimes it looks like quietly choosing, day after day, to love people through the hardest seasons of their lives. For Catie Swenson, that kind of leadership grew out of her own story—one rooted in faith, family, and a deep sense of calling that unfolded through both joy and hardship.
“I was raised in Fouke, Arkansas, surrounded by family and land,” she says. “My dad grew up on a farm, and it was always his dream to have his own farm and include his children in that dream.” Her parents, Curtis and Carol Mudford, built their lives around service and faith. “My parents were both teachers. My dad was a deacon, and my mom played the piano at our very tiny, Baptist church in backwoods Arkansas. It warms my heart to think about Sundays growing up.”
Those Sundays remain some of her most treasured memories. “So much of my family went to the same church, and after church we would usually go to my Memaw and Pop’s house for Sunday lunch with cousins, aunts, and uncles. Very fond memories. It was in this tiny church that I gave my heart to the Lord as a young child. I certainly made big mistakes after that, but I remember that Sunday morning very clearly. I was a sinner in need of a Savior!” Catie says.
Catie grew up with two brothers, who remain among her closest confidants. “I am very much a middle child, always have worn that like a badge. Both of my brothers, Josh and
Caleb Mudford, are two of my favorite people in life. They have my back and always have. They are both my go-to voices of reason. They have always been level-headed and a voice of reason for their sister, who can experience highs and lows. Every girl should have at least one amazing brother, I was blessed with two,” she says.
She attended Genoa Central School, where the close-knit environment created friendships that still endure. Small-town life also had its humorous realities. Catie explains, “Another thing about going to a small school and your mom teaching there is if I made a big mistake, my mom knew it before 3:30.”
After graduation, her path eventually led her into marketing. She attended SAU for her first year of college but did not find her rhythm there. She returned to Texarkana and completed her bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing at Texas A&M University - Texarkana. During that time, an unexpected opportunity shaped both her career and her future family.
“During my college career, I got a job working for the Texarkana Bandits Junior Hockey Team as a marketing assistant. That is where my passion for marketing, sales, business, and people really started, and during this time, is when I started my company, Innovative Marketing.” It was also where she met Scott Swenson, who would become her husband.
The story still makes her laugh. “I remember when Jon Cooper interviewed me. He told me that if he hired me, I needed to understand I did not need to date players or staff. I told him that it would not be a problem. God had other plans because I married the Assistant Coach,” Catie exclaims.
Today, Catie and Scott have been married for nearly two decades and are raising three boys together. Grant is 15 years old and in the ninth grade at Texas High. Tyler is 12 years old and in the sixth grade at Red Lick Middle School, and SJ is nine years old and in the second grade at Red Lick Elementary School. Like many mothers, she describes each child with both honesty and deep affection.
“Grant has been our guinea pig as the oldest child, but like most oldest children, he sets the bar high. Tyler is truly a middle child, and as previously stated, I can relate. SJ, oh SJ. This one is tough as nails,” she says. Her youngest son’s story, however, would become the catalyst for something far bigger than their family ever expected.
“If you had told the girl who was a marketing assistant for the hockey team that she would grow up to marry the assistant coach, start a small business, have three boys, and begin a nonprofit, that girl would have said, ‘There is no way!’ But God,” Catie says.
In 2016, while pregnant with SJ, doctors warned the family that their baby might have serious complications. She explains, “We found out in December of 2016 that SJ may have complications. Dr. J called to share with me that a test came back indicating SJ may have Spina Bifida.” What followed were months of medical visits, uncertainty, and prayer.
For the better part of three months, the Swenson family would travel back and forth to Little Rock to check on their sweet baby. Then, during a family trip, her health suddenly declined. “When we got back to Texarkana, over the course of a day, it became evident I needed Scott to take me to the hospital. I had become preeclamptic and was admitted to Wadley. I was 30 weeks pregnant,” she says. “Our church, family, friends, and prayer warriors, literally around the world, began to pray for 32 weeks and a healthy baby. One of our neighbors at the time, Kim Strand, a labor and delivery nurse, took every shift she could the weekend I was there. She encouraged Dr. Leonard to send me to Little Rock. My preeclampsia had turned into the HELLP syndrome. I had become increasingly sick. There was a real concern of losing my baby and me. They decided to have me airlifted to UAMS. Kim saved my life and my baby’s life!”
Catie was airlifted to Little Rock, where doctors prepared for an emergency delivery. SJ was taken via emergency C-section in less than five hours from Catie’s arrival in Little Rock. What happened next left even the medical team astonished. Catie explains, “After SJ was born on March 20, 2017,
breathing room air, a healthy heart and lungs, and NO Spina Bifida, my nurse told Scott and my brothers, that there was no doubt who was in control in that room.”
Catie’s placenta was over 60% abrupted. The nurse stated that she had seen so many babies in better conditions not survive. However, the nurse said, “God has big plans for this one!” The nurse’s words stayed with the Swenson couple.
SJ spent 65 days in neonatal intensive care across three hospitals before finally coming home. During that season, Catie and Scott experienced overwhelming support from their community. “When SJ was in the NICU, so many family, friends, church family, and even strangers met us right where we were,” she says. One moment in particular became a turning point. “On one of those trips, a friend of ours who had recently lost his dad to brain cancer and had also been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor himself, left a card of encouragement and a $100 gas card on our porch.”
The gesture deeply moved her. “It touched us in such a mighty way. Someone fighting incredible battles was helping us through ours,” Catie says. That evening, she called Scott with a realization. “I remember saying, ‘I do not know what this is all about or why we are going through it, but I know it is bigger than us. I believe God is going to really do something in this.’”
From that moment, the vision for Fearfully and Wonderfully Made began to take shape.
“That is the moment I believe
God laid Fearfully and Wonderfully Made on our hearts,” she explains. Today, the nonprofit provides care packages, encouragement, and community support for NICU families and those facing infant loss. For Catie, the work is deeply personal as she says, “I think about how much it meant to be on the receiving side of blessings.”
Unless a person walks a NICU journey, it is hard to explain to someone else. Catie says, “With a NICU family, to a certain extent, I have an idea of what they are feeling. I have an idea of the lies the enemy is whispering. Being able to remind them of God’s promises to us and shining light into spaces that can get really dark really quickly, it is a blessing.”
She believes the smallest gestures often matter the most to NICU Families. “Walking alongside, to me, means texting someone when I think about them, calling if necessary, and sometimes it means simply showing up. Sometimes that looks like picking up lunch to bring to those parents, or a coffee for the nurses,” she says.
The organization has grown steadily in Texarkana, supported by volunteers, churches, and businesses across the community. “Seeing the growing support from our community from individuals, businesses, and churches, the impact of having a platform that other community members want to be a part of is overwhelmingly humbling. Being able to see the families at NICU Parents’ Night Out, as well as seeing all of the community members show up for the BE THE LIGHT 5K and the Festival of Trees, is amazing. You would think I would be used to it by now, but every time is like the first time. I think because so many have been willing to support us, we have been able to bring significant awareness to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and to loss.” Catie says.
Despite the recognition she has received, Catie is quick to downplay her role. “What we do daily is literally just choosing to be kind to people fighting hard battles.” That belief shapes how she hopes others will see the ministry, as she says, “I would hope they understand that our family is a normal family that went through a difficult
storm.” That storm, she believes, opened the door to something meaningful. “Out of that, God allowed us to serve and love other people going through a similar journey,” she says.
Her message to families facing overwhelming circumstances reflects the same faith that carried her through her own. “I would reference Isaiah 43:2. When we walk through storms, it feels like the water or the wind will overtake us, that we are not strong enough to handle one more thing, but when you know Jesus, you know the One who speaks to the wind and the waves, and they obey,” Catie says.
For the Texarkana community, Catie Swenson’s leadership is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful influence does not come from standing in front—it comes from standing beside.
And often, it begins with something as simple as showing up.
To learn more about the organization, please visit: https://fwmtexarkana.org/
KEEPING SKIN SMOOTH ONE STRIP AT TIME
Shaun Walker
Shaun Walker’s story is one of resilience, faith, service, and transformation — a journey that began with strong family roots and grew into a mission to uplift others in her community.
From her earliest days, Shaun was shaped by the love and guidance of her grandparents, Gennel and Charles Walker Sr., who raised her in the Texarkana area. Their influence left a lasting mark on her character and values. Her grandfather, a Mason, who deeply believed in service and community leadership, taught her that true leadership is not about recognition but about what you do for others. Her grandmother, Gennel, was known throughout the community for her kindness and generosity. She constantly reminded those around her that education and compassion were powerful tools — not just for personal success, but for strengthening an entire community.
Shaun graduated from Texas High School and grew up as the oldest of three sisters on her maternal side. Interestingly, all three sisters eventually found careers in healthcare, reflecting a family tradition centered on helping others.
After high school, Shaun began working as a phlebotomist. Her grandmother had always hoped she would become a nurse. While Shaun held great admiration for the nursing profession, she eventually realized her path would look different. Healthcare was still close to her heart, but her deeper calling would ultimately emerge in public health.
Life, however, brought its share of unexpected turns. Shaun married young and later divorced. Through those life changes, she became the proud mother of four children — two boys and two girls
— who would later become a powerful source of motivation in her life.
After spending many years focused on raising her children, Shaun made a life-changing decision: she returned to school. She wanted to show her children that it is never too late to pursue their goals or rewrite their story.
Her academic journey began at Texarkana College, where she earned an Associate’s Degree in Behavioral Science. She later continued her education at the University of Texas at Tyler, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Public Health, followed by a Master’s Degree in Health Science.
It was through public health that everything finally clicked.
Public health allowed Shaun to bring together her passions for psychology, community care, prevention, and advocacy — all while working to improve people’s lives on a broader scale. Today, she continues working in healthcare while also building a community-focused initiative called Burning Butterfly, which centers on healing, transformation, and public health awareness. Being described as a leader who impacts women is something Shaun approaches with humility. To her, leadership has never been about titles or recognition. Instead, it is about creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and empowered to grow.
As a mother of daughters, that mission carries even deeper meaning. Shaun wants her daughters — and other women — to see that it is possible to live with purpose while remaining authentic and compassionate.
She understands that many women quietly carry heavy burdens: motherhood, grief, trauma, financial pressure, and societal expectations. Sometimes, what women need most is a reminder that they are not alone. If Shaun’s work helps even one woman rediscover her strength or confidence, she believes she is fulfilling her purpose.
Integrity plays a central role in how Shaun approaches both leadership and growth. When she founded Burning Butterfly, it was never about financial gain or recognition. It was about stepping forward in faith and following a vision she felt deeply placed on her heart.
She believes real growth requires staying grounded in purpose and values. At times, that means boldly moving forward. Other times, it means stepping back to reflect or even turning down opportunities that do not align with her mission.
For Shaun, integrity comes from staying prayerful, listening to where she feels led, and ensuring her work always centers on helping others and strengthening her community.
In Texarkana, Shaun sees several challenges facing the community — particularly issues related to the social determinants of health. Access to healthcare, mental health resources, financial stability, education, and safe living environments all play significant roles in shaping community wellbeing.
In smaller communities, these challenges can be amplified by limited resources and lingering stigma around mental health. Many people also misunderstand what public health truly is. While healthcare often focuses on treatment, public health focuses on prevention and improving the overall well-being of communities.
Through Burning Butterfly, community events, and partnerships with local organizations, Shaun works to create spaces where
people can learn about their health, set goals, and connect with resources that support healthier lives.
She strongly believes that real change happens through collaboration.
Shaun’s leadership style reflects the values she was raised with: authenticity, approachability, and collaboration. She believes people do their best when they feel comfortable being themselves. Rather than leading from above, she prefers to stand alongside others, creating environments where people feel valued and supported.
During uncertain times or rapid change, Shaun believes empathy becomes one of the most important leadership qualities. Instead of giving instructions from a distance, she believes leaders should walk through challenges alongside the people they serve — listening carefully and ensuring people feel heard.
Outside of her professional life, Shaun’s greatest pride remains her family.
She is the mother of four children. Her two sons are adults, and she respectfully allows them to pursue their own journeys privately. Her daughters, Zion and Jade, are 13 and 11. Zion dreams of becoming a nurse one day, and Shaun loves watching her compassion for others grow.
Jade’s story is one of incredible resilience. After surviving gun violence at a young age, she continues to move forward with remarkable strength and courage.
Shaun has also recently entered a new chapter of life — becoming a grandmother. Her granddaughter, Elleona Gennel, will turn one in May, bringing a whole new level of joy and perspective to her life.
In her free time, Shaun enjoys simple things that help her recharge: spending time with friends, hiking outdoors, reading a good book, and occasionally binge-watching a crime series to unwind. She is also part of a book club called Textually Entangled, where she connects with other women through literature, conversation, and shared experiences.
YOUR TRUSTED PARTNER
When asked for advice, Shaun encourages young professionals to step forward even when they do not feel fully ready. She believes that building relationships, networking, volunteering, and seeking mentorship are essential to growth.
“There is never a perfect moment when you feel completely prepared,” she often says. “Opportunities will appear before you feel ready — step forward anyway.”
Her message to young women is equally powerful: the world is bigger than the expectations placed upon them. There is no single path they must follow. They are free to create the lives that feel right for them — whether that means building a career, raising a family, continuing their education, or reinventing themselves along the way.
Shaun draws inspiration from several important women in her life, including her aunt Aquanet White, whom she admired growing up for her intelligence, confidence, and leadership in public service.
She also credits her mother and grandmother as foundational influences whose strength and guidance helped shape the woman she is today.
Today, Shaun Walker continues her mission with gratitude and determination. Being recognized among women shaping Texarkana is an honor she carries with humility.
Through Burning Butterfly, her goal is to continue building spaces for healing, education, and transformation — helping people better understand the importance of health, resilience, and community connection.
What began as a small vision rooted in faith continues to grow, and Shaun believes the journey is only just beginning.
Once the contract is executed by all parties and is sent to us, we do a complete title search and examination, looking for any title defects and liens. We are also looking for probates, pending suits, forged documents/signatures, incorrect notary acknowledgments, and any issues that could affect the title of the property you are purchasing. Through the search and the examination, title problems are disclosed so they can be corrected by issuing a title commitment.
When we receive all of the necessary documents, surveys, termite reports, home warranties, and anything else needed to close, and the lender has received a clear to close, we coordinate with all parties to schedule a closing.
At closing, we execute all of the closing documents, disburse the funds, send the loan documents to the lender, and record the documents (Deeds/ Deeds of Trust). Once the documents are recorded, we issue the title policies to the buyer and lender, ensuring a free and clear title.
Real Estate is a significant investment, and Stewart Title is here to help you through the process.
PREQUALIFYING FOR A MORTGAGE LOAN
Prequalifying for a mortgage loan is an essential early step in the home-buying process. It gives you a general idea of how much you can borrow from a lender based on your financial situation. Here’s a breakdown of what it involves and how to do it.
What Is Mortgage Prequalification?
Mortgage prequalification is a quick, informal process where a lender estimates how much you can borrow based on financial info you provide (like income, debt, and assets). It’s not a loan offer or guarantee, but it helps:
• Show real estate agents and sellers you’re serious
• Set a realistic home price range
• Identify any potential credit or income issues early Unlike preapproval, prequalification is usually easier and faster — often possible online or over the phone. You’ll typically need to share:
• Income details (salary, bonuses, freelance income, etc.)
• Employment information
• Monthly debt payments (student loans, car loans, credit cards)
• Estimated credit score – (Lender can soft pull credit, so it will not affect your credit score)
• Assets (bank accounts, retirement funds, etc.)
How to Get Prequalified
1. Choose a lender.
2. Complete a prequalification form – online, by phone, or in person.
3. Get results – often within minutes to a few days.
Even if you prequalify for a certain amount, you don’t have to borrow that much. Base your home-buying budget on what you’re comfortable with monthly, not just what the bank says you can afford.
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SPRING CLEAN YOUR FINANCES
FAMILY & LIFESTYLE
Streamline planning for the future by getting organized.
Spring is the perfect time to get your finances in order. Being on top of your finances can help you feel more in control while reevaluating your bills and purchases more often can help you stay within budget. Also, you’re more likely to think ahead and plan for the future if you get and stay financially organized.
Start by organizing your paperwork
Life events like selling or buying a home, preparing for retirement or experiencing a medical event can leave you with an accompanying mountain of documents. Most people aren’t certain what papers are important to hold onto. In a pinch, they either can’t find exactly what they need or realize they never saved it in the first place.
Creating a physical and digital filing system is often the simplest way to organize your documents, making it easier to locate important papers when you need them. Sort your documents by major category like investing, medical expenses, loan documents, estate planning and home repairs by designating a folder for each. You can then break down each category by year. Be careful to shred or delete any documents you decide you no longer need.
Run your credit report
Check your credit report every three months for derogatory changes and look for any signs of identity theft. You can check with the three credit bureaus – Transunion, Experian and Equifax – individually or get a consolidated report from Credit Karma or Credit Sesame.
If you find derogatory changes like missed payments or foreclosures made in error, you can dispute them with the credit bureaus. This is crucial, as derogatory marks will remain on your credit report for seven years.
Take an annual look at the big picture
Use spring as an opportunity to review your spending habits as well as income changes, to identify ways to optimize your finances for the rest of the year. Decide what your highest priorities are and consider ways to boost your financial health. A little creativity could help you get closer to your goals more quickly.
Some practical tips include refinancing debt to lower your monthly payments, cutting unnecessary costs and canceling subscriptions you no longer need. You can even earn quick cash by selling those gently used designer shoes hiding in the back of your closet.
Creating and following a budget gives you the freedom to spend your money the way that best supports your goals. One easy way to do this is by automating as many payments as possible and being diligent with your discretionary spending.
As you take control of your finances and prioritize your goals, don’t forget to consider
retirement. Most people want to work less in the future or retire altogether, and as costs rise over time due to inflation, it’s important to make sure you save enough to support the lifestyle you want to maintain. It’s always a good idea to increase contributions to retirement accounts, but it becomes more essential the closer you get to retirement age as there is less time to accumulate interest or retirement gains.
While organizing your finances takes some time and effort, the payoff in the long run is well worth it. It gives you the freedom to save for the goals that matter most to you and enables you to have funds in place when you need them for an emergency or major purchase.
Drug Take Back Initiative Operation Medicine Cabinet
•It is important to know that law enforcement is only interested in the removal of unused and/or outdated medications from the homes of our citizens.
•It matters not whose name is on the prescription, by whom it was prescribed, where it was prescribed, or where you reside.
•We stress that it makes no difference if you live in Texas or Arkansas.
•We take back all medications, no questions asked. You can remove the label if you desire but it’s not necessary.
•We ask that you do not deposit needles (sharps), inhalers, medication from businesses or clinics, ointments, lotions, liquids, aerosol cans, hydrogen peroxide, or thermometers.
One box has been placed behind the Bi State Justice Building at 100 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, Arkansas and another outside the Texarkana Emergency Center, 4646 Cowhorn Creek Rd., Texarkana, Texas. These boxes are regularly checked and the contents are immediately packaged for destruction. If you would like to personally drop your medications off to law enforcement, you can at the Miller County Sheriff’s Office on East Street and Bi State Justice Building in Texarkana.
National Take Back Day April 25, 2026 8am - 12pm at Texarkana Emergency Center & Hospital
You can learn more about this program by visiting www.artakeback.org or on Facebook by searching Arkansas Take Back or Arkansas Drug take Back.
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is proud to partner with Texarkana Emergency Center in an effort to remove unused and out of date prescription medicines from your homes. 4646 Cowhorn Creek | Texarkana, TX
Suzie TK SnippeTS
By: Suzie Tyler
I love technology. Suzietk’s Snippets will give you tidbits on everything from makeup to music, and everything in between. I have a wealth of information in my brain! If I can just access the hard drive, I will blog about it!!
Easter Bunny Vs Jesus
When I was 9 and 10, Easter was a time to get a new outfit that included a dress, hat, purse, gloves, and black patent shoes. I was styling!
Oh, I was taught in Sunday School about the birth of Jesus at Christmas and the resurrection on Easter, but it wasn’t until I was older and experienced a genuine relationship that I fully understood how important the Easter story was.
Without the resurrection, Jesus’ death on the cross would have been ordinary.
I also learned about the Easter bunny, and we dyed eggs so he could hide them for us to find. I never thought that he laid the eggs. Only chickens could do that!
I wondered how the bunny became a part of the celebration and went to my friend, (you know him), Google!
The Easter Bunny originated from German Lutheran folklore as the “Osterhase” (Easter Hare), a judge who brought candy and colored eggs to children with good behavior. Brought to America in the 1700s, this tradition blended pagan fertility symbols—rabbits stand for new life and spring—with Christian traditions of rebirth.
Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were part of my childhood, and I never felt they harmed me, but some do and refuse to have either as part of their child’s upbringing. Each parent should make that decision, but the practice must be balanced with truth.
This month, we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus, and Spring, which is the return of life after the “death” of winter, symbolically matching the resurrection of Jesus!
The church calendar determines s the day of Easter as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, and it varies every year, sometimes in March, other years in April. My mother had three children born in March, two of whom were born on Easter Sunday. What are the odds of that?
At Christmas, we say Jesus’ birth is the reason for the season. The resurrection is the reason for celebrating Easter. His Birth, Death, and Crucifixion are all needed for salvation.
Buy a new dress, shoes, purse, hat, and gloves for Sunday morning if you would like. Dye eggs and put them in a basket with candy, but don’t forget the real reason for celebrating!
My parents weren’t as educated as some parents are today, but I realize, the older I get, that they had a balance of love and discipline that some parents with PhDs don’t. It may be called ‘common sense’ and Godly Wisdom.
Children are a gift from God. When making that decision to teach them, choose the relevance of the most important truth and the real reason Easter Sunday is celebrated! It can be the difference between where they will spend eternity! There is a big, imperfect world out there trying to make the true Word of God of no effect.
Never allow the celebration of the resurrection to be obscure and become just another holiday! Always keep a sensitivity to life around you. It’s what will keep you real in the Jesus world!
I will continue to dress in my finest for Easter Sunday but also celebrate the knowledge of the truth of what this day means!
To all ALT readers; Happy Easter! Happy Resurrection Day! Happy Spring!
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