Fairy Sutherland (President) has been an active member of IPC for 40 years, joining after marrying her husband, Frank. Their children were baptized at IPC and participated in the youth program, making the church truly central to their family life. Fairy has served three terms on Session, including Clerk of the Session, and Moderator of the Deacons. She has chaired Congregational Care, New Member Committee, and the RNC, and served multiple times as a Confirmand partner. She served as chair of Holiday House in 2005. She served on the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley camp committee for ten years. Before retiring she was in the insurance industry for 31 years. Currently, Fairy works at the IPC Day School. Grace group has been a strong community connection for her as she has hosted the same group for 16 years. She stays active with daily walks and fitness classes, plays bridge, and enjoys beach time with friends. She and Frank are eagerly anticipating their first grandchild in December.
Mike Graham (Vice President) grew up in the church, and has been a member since Confirmation class with Scott McClure many years ago. He is a principal with the commercial real estate firm Graham & CO. Mike married his college (Sewanee) sweetheart Suzanne, and they have been blessed with two sons Michael Jr (Austin TX) and Matthew (Cherokee Bend), and four loving grandchildren. Mike has served on Foundation Board as Chair of the Grantmaking Committee, and twice as an Elder. He recently served as Chair of the Playground Renovation Task Force, and currently serves on the Now & Forever Committee. He has a passion for community building, and has served on the Board of Habitat for Humanity for the last two decades, and currently is Vice Chair of the Board. He has no baseball skills, but enjoyed captaining the struggling IPC adult softball team, back in the day.
Houston Cook (Elder) was born in Birmingham and attended IPC as a child. He was an acolyte and both of his children were acolytes, William (28) & Sara Catherine (25). He married Sheri Cook in 1993 at IPC and has served in numerous roles at IPC. He was the committee chair for the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee in 20232024. He served on the IPC Foundation Board as President from 2018-2019. He served on the session from 2011-2014 and as the Finance Team chair from 2012-2014. He served as a Deacon from 2001-2004 and as the Moderator in 2004. Houston and Sheri cherish the many traditions of IPC and look forward to continue growing in faith and community.
Cathy Delozier (Elder) A life-long Presbyterian, raised in Mobile, Cathy graduated from Auburn with a degree in public relations, and moved to Birmingham in 1986 after a brief stint in Colorado. She joined IPC in 1987 and was active in the singles group and Wednesday Night Bible Study. Barry and Cathy married at IPC in 1993, and he joined the church shortly thereafter. Their sons, David and Joe, were baptized at IPC, attended the Day School and were active in LOGOS, BTMP, youth group, youth grant team and acolytes. Joe is also an Eagle Scout from Troop 28. Cathy has served as chair of pre-school and elementary subcommittees, LOGOS, PW, Holiday House and Guild. Also previously served as an elder and a deacon, as well as a Foundation Board member. Prior involvement at IPC includes worship, adult education, nominating and global mission committees, and participating in two mission trips to Mexico. Cathy and Barry have been on mission trips to Mwandi and Rwanda, and most recently to western North Carolina. Active in Women at the Well Bible Study as a team teacher, Cathy also serves on the flower committee of the Guild, volunteers as a BTMP Tribal Mom and youth chaperone for the Montreat Youth Conference. Outside of IPC, she is on the Board for the Presbyterian Home for Children, the Sybil Temple Foundation, works part-time at Leaf and Petal at the Botanical Gardens and writes for the Over the Mountain Journal. When not traveling with her husband or spending time with their sons, daughters-in-law and their two new granddaughters, Lucy and Evelyn, Cathy enjoys gardening, reading, playing Bunco and Mahjong.
Donald (Doc) Feagin (Elder) was born and grew up in the small town of Grove Hill located in south Alabama. Raised in the United Methodist Church, attending church was a very important part of his family's life. His greatgrandfather as well as grandfather were Methodist ministers. His father was the choir director of the Grove Hill United Methodist Church and his mother was the first woman chosen to be the Chairman of the Official Board. Donald graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a degree in mathematics. After a forty-three-year career in Information Technology with Southern Natural Gas, he retired in 2013. Donald and his wife Debbie were married at IPC fifty-one years ago. IPC was a very important part of their four children's lives growing up. Donald has served previously as both Deacon and Elder. He has been a twenty-five-year member of the IPC choir. Donald has fully participated in IPC's community ministry program by participating in the Mexico home building project for ten years, mission trip to Mwandi in Zambia Africa as well as ten years participation in the STAIR and Meals on Wheels programs.
Rich McRoberts (Elder) joined IPC in 2017. He and Maegan have two daughters, Eva (10) and Lily (7). He is a catechist, has served on the Stewardship Committee, and is a Love Thy Neighbor driver for IPC.
Catherine Pringle (Elder) was born and raised in Montgomery, AL where she attended Trinity Presbyterian School and then the University of Alabama. She and her husband, Will, moved to Birmingham in 2006 and have been active members of IPC ever since. Their three children - Anne (15), Bob (13) and Cooper (12) all attended IPC Day School and now attend Mountain Brook Schools. At IPC, Catherine has served as a Deacon, as a Catechist for Children's Ministries, and on several Children's Ministries and Parenting subcommittees. In addition to her church involvement, Catherine is an Interior Designer who runs her own firm, Catherine Pringle Design.
Steve Shaw (Elder) is married to Cindy Shaw, who recently retired from IPC in Congregational care. They have two daughters, Mary Sellers Shaw and Wesley Day Chandler. He is a long time member and he and Cindy were married at IPC in 1989. Both daughters were baptized at the Church and were active in youth activities with Mary Sellers later receiving her Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. Steve has served as an Elder, Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He has served on various Ministry teams and committees including Worship, Stewardship, House and Properties and Planning. He was graduated from the University of Alabama School of Business and Law School and is a partner with the law firm Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff and Brandt.
Melanie Talbot (Elder) is a lifelong Presbyterian and has been a member of IPC since 1988. She retired from UAB in 2020 after 31 years as an administrator and has enjoyed being able to spend more time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Married to Tom Booker, she is currently serving her second term on the IPC Foundation Grants Committee. Most recently, she served on the IPC Foundation Board as the Development Committee Chair.Over the many years as a member of IPC, she has served as a Deacon, Holiday House Committee House Chair, Community Ministries Committee, Adult and Elementary Education subcommittees, and LOGOS teacher and table parent. She has been fortunate to go on two mission trips to Africa: Mwandi (2008) and Rwanda (2023) and always enjoyed serving dinner at First Light with the Discoverers Sunday School class.
Laura Woodruff (Elder) Grew up in Crestwood neighborhood of Birmingham. After attending college in North Carolina and law school in Massachusetts, Laura moved back to Birmingham with her husband, David. Both retired attorneys, they joined IPC in 1983, and have been active members for 42 years. Their two daughters, Katie and Mary, were brought up in the church and remain members as adults. Laura previously served as an Elder, and chaired the Christian Education and the Adult Education Committees. At the present time she is a member of the Global Missions Committee, the Book Review Group, and the IPC Hiking Group. She also participates in the Wonder Years Sunday School class, the Keller/Hamilton Grace Group and enjoys volunteering for Community Ministries programs that offer assistance and hope to those in need. Outside of church, Laura enjoys studying history, visiting art museums, hiking in the National Parks, and attending Broadway shows and coral concerts.
Walter Grover (Youth Elder) is ajunior at Altamont. At IPC, he serves as an acolyte and enjoys participating in the Youth activities.He also plays soccer and is involved in Boy Scouts.
Klayton Barrows, DO (Deacon) Born and raised in Corpus Christi, TX. Graduated from the University of South Alabama in 2006. Served as an Infantry Officer in the US Army from 2006-2011. Married Elise Wildsmith at IPC in 2010. Graduated from Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2019 and completed Family Medicine Residency at St. Vincent's East in 2022. Father of two boys Tegner (5) and Graham (4). Joined Seale Harris Clinic in 2022. Member of IPC from 2012-2015 and again since 2019. Physician volunteer at the MPower Clinic since 2019. Avid but very average golfer when not at work or home.
Riley Byars (Deacon) grew up within the Presbytery at FPC Tuscaloosa. In 2023, he moved to Birmingham, made IPC home, and was joyfully married in the church to his wife, Willa. Riley works in software engineering and loves spending time with family and friends, as well as cheering on the Crimson Tide.
Terry Hamilton (Deacon) Member of Independent Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. Happily, my husband, Duncan, and I have brought up our 3 children in the church! Through the years I have been a Deacon once and Elder two times. Along the way, I have enjoyed teaching children's and youth Sunday School classes and helping with Bible Times and youth group! Recently I have been a part of Love Thy Neighbor, serving communion at Kirkwood, serving dinner at First Light, and keeping the toddlers during church services but my passion was coteaching Grace Groups with recently deceased and much-loved IPC member, Bud Keller.
Scott Nelson (Deacon) Wake Forest University '75, CPA '86, Retired after a career that wove through banking, full-service restaurant management, public accounting, and corporate accounting for a UK 100 company, US head office: consolidations, internal controls, reporting. After having lived in Maryland outside Washington, D.C., Scott finds Birmingham home for the third time: 1962-1969 - Mountain Brook Schools, 1977-1979 - IPC member and IPC choir, and now, since 2021. He currently supports Community Ministries, participated in the CFAF Summer Learning Program and will be a STAIR 3.0 volunteer tutor this fall. Other interests include a deep love of the seashore and ballroom dancing. His family's religious background lies in the Baptist Church, grandson of a Baptist pastor, and nephew of a Baptist pastor, later college professor of Greek, Latin and religion. Scott credits watching his father and grandfather live their faith and model service within and outside the church as inspiration and a guidepost for him to continue in service at IPC.
Cheri Prater (Deacon) IPC member since 2023; Serves on Guild, Global Mission Team subcommittee, and First Light. Husband, Alan Prater.
Leslie Robinson (Deacon) Originally from Dothan, AL, Leslie graduated from Samford University with a degree in Nursing. After living in Atlanta and Tuscaloosa, she and her husband Bob, returned to Birmingham in 2009 and joined IPC with our two daughters, McClain (19) and Macey (17). Leslie has served in Children's Ministries as a Sunday School Teacher, Catechist, VBS volunteer, BTMP Chair, Advent Workshop Chair, Preschool and Elementary School Subcommittees and Worship Care Volunteer. This is her fourth year working in the Day School, where she is currently the Catechist. Also serves with the Guild and was on the Holiday House Committee for four years. Other interests include working at Magic City Needlepoint, playing tennis and or digging in the garden.
Tom Rue (Deacon) Tom grew up in Andalusia, Alabama where he was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church. He graduated from The University of the South/Sewanee in 1968, served in the U.S. Army from 19681972 and graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1974. He practiced admiralty and maritime law in Mobile for 50 years and retired from Maynard Nexsen, P.C. on December 31, 2024. He was a SO-year member of Government Street Presbyterian Church in Mobile where he served in numerous capacities from Sunday School teacher to Clerk of the Session. He also served on various committees of the Presbytery and on one commission for the Synod of Living Waters. He joined IPC in 2024 after moving to Birmingham where his two daughters and five grandchildren reside.
John Sease (Deacon) came to faith in middle school through his confirmation class. He and his wife Caroline Pringle Sease met while on a mission trip with their church. They have two daughters. Martha Glen is working in communications in Nashville and Sadie is in nursing school at the University of South Alabama. John and Caroline also have a black lab named Jax. John is a residential architect and Partner at Tippett Sease Baker Architecture. Having moved to Birmingham in 2023, he found beauty and great friendships at IPC through worship and Grace Group involvement. John practices his Christian faith through daily devotion, consistent worship, and reading anything he can by C.S. Lewis.
Liz Shults (Deacon) has been a member of IPC for five years. She is married to John Shults and has one son, Michael (5). Liz has enjoyed being a part of small groups and the Bridges Sunday School Class. Liz is a high school English teacher at Homewood High School and enjoys reading, cross stitching, traveling, and trying new restaurants.
Matt Winne (Deacon) grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and attended Auburn University, where he met his wife, Hannah. After graduating from the University of Alabama School of Law, he joined Lightfoot, Franklin & White, where he has practiced for the past six years. The Winne family became members of IPC in 2023; their daughter Kate, now almost two, was baptized here and loves exploring the day school's halls. Meanwhile, Hannah is training to become a Level 1 catechist and is preparing to co-chair next summer's Vacation Bible School.
Laura Winston (Deacon) has been a member of IPC since 2006. She is the wife of Norm, and mother to Trip, Amelia, Mitchell, and Margot Winston. She has served the church in various roles in Children's Ministries, Adult Sunday School, and assisted with the Children's Fresh Air Farm Committee.
Genie Woodall (Deacon) was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. She joined IPC when her children (Thomas, 22 and Logan, 20) were attending the IPC Day School. Her husband, Paul, is a lifetime member of IPC. Genie has served on elementary committees including Bibletimes Marketplace and Advent Workshop. She also served as a house co-chair for IPC Holiday House. Most recently, she served on the IPC Foundation Grant Committee.Currently, Genie is a member of the IPC Guild.
Nathaniel Siegel (Youth Deacon) is in 11th grade at Homewood High School. A member of the IPC Youth Grant Team, he loves participating in other youth events at IPC. Nathaniel is also an active member of band and show choir at school, and loves to make music.
Melissa Brisendine (Foundation Board Member 2026-2031) After growing up in a Baptist church, Melissa became a Presbyterian when she and her husband Dwight joined IPC in 1983. Their sons, Matthew and Jacob, were baptized and grew up attending IPC. The Brisendine family now includes two daughters-in-law and two precious grandchildren. With a BS from The University of Alabama and an MBA from UAB, she retired after a 30-year career in Marketing and Communications with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Through the years, Melissa has served IPC and been involved in many activities including elementary and youth sub-committees and Sunday School teacher; Presbyterian Women Chair; Holiday House Chair; Communications Committee; Deacon; and Elder. She previously served on the board of First Light and participated in a mission trip to Mwandi. Melissa is currently serving her second year on the IPC Foundation Grants team.
Chase Couch (Foundation Board Member 2025-2029) and his wife Virginia have been members of IPC since 2021. They have three children ages 3, 6 and 7 who all have either attended or currently attend IPC Day School. Chase grew up in the Presbyterian Church at Trinity Presbyterian (PCUSA) in Pensacola, FL. After graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN with a MS in Accounting, Chase spent 16 years in public accounting in Memphis before moving his family to the Birmingham area in 2021. He currently runs the finance and accounting function of Daniel Realty Company in Birmingham and recently completed a three-year tenure as Deacon at IPC. In addition to spending time with his busy family, Chase enjoys recreational running, biking, hiking and generally anything in the great outdoors.
Bill Casey (Representative Nominating Committee At-Large Member) While in my mid-twenties, Dr. Scott McClure appointed me to be a member at large on the IPC Worship committee. Scott performed my marriage to Maria 41 years ago. He baptized our daughter Gena who is now 36. Because of him and the movement of The Holy Spirit our family became involved in our church. Bill has served as a Deacon and three terms as an Elder. Has also served on Stewardship, Adult Education, and Worship committees, and on an associate pastor search committee. Over the years, he chaired Focus on Faith, the RNC and Personnel. While serving as Vice President and President of the Congregation, he was also an Adult Sunday School teacher. Bill led a Wednesday night Bible study for over 20 years and in January will have had the privilege of singing in the IPC choir for the past ten years. On Wednesday Nights, Lant Davis and I are leading a study of the book "Christian Doctrine" by Shirley Guthrie.
Margaret Cobbs (Representative Nominating Committee At-Large Member) is a lifelong member of IPC and is a current member of the Guild, a STAIR tutor, and a Level Ill Catechist in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Margaret and her husband Archie have three daughters who are 18, 21, and 23. She also has a business growing and selling flowers @velmablooms and enjoys volunteering with the Native Plant group at the Botanical Gardens. Other hobbies include cooking, walking with her lab Mac, and traveling!