ECCH 2023 Board of Directors

kenneth pardue, board chairman

Kenneth Pardue was one of the original board members of Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home in 1994.  Mr. Pardue continues to serve ECCH as both a board member and volunteer.   Mr. Pardue is a lifelong native of North Carolina and worked for the United States Parcel Service for 23 years, 6 of which was in a management capacity. Mr. Pardue has served as pastor of Anitoch Baptist Church for 13 years, and served Stony Hill Baptist Church for over 14 years prior to moving to Antioch Baptist Church.  
Mr. Pardue has a great compassion for the needs of children, and ensuring the health and well-being of all children served by ECCH.  Mr. Pardue was adopted at the age of 9, and clearly understands the necessity of caring for those who are unable to care for themselves. He is passionate about meetings the needs of children in our community.  
Mr. Pardue has served on the Board of Directors of Second Harvest Food Bank.  He assists his church in operating a food pantry for the needy, and this food bank currently serves more than 150 families monthly.  Mr. Pardue was also a moderator for Brier Creek Baptist Association for 1 year.
Mr. Pardue is married, has one son and one daughter, and four grandchildren.  

gail walsh, Vice Chairman

Gail Walsh actively serves on the board of Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home.  Gail has experience as a business owner, insurance assistant, community volunteer, and caregiver for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease. Gail’s business is a local jewelry store called Sister’s.  Gail is married with two children.
Gail Walsh serves actively as a member of the board of directors and a member of the PQI Committee.  She invests her personal time in dedication to the success of Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home. She is passionate about the services the organization provides and seeing children in the community grow and thrive as a result of their time at ECCH.     
As a board member, Gail Walsh, demonstrates relevant business experience, knowledge of the community, access to local organizations, and relationships with political representatives.  As a local business owner and a recognized supporter of charitable organizations, Gail has served on other boards such as the West Wilkes Medical Center board.  Gail attended Wilkes Community College.
Gail stated, “My heart has been touched by the children of Ebenezer.  When I heard word of a children’s home opening in Wilkes County in 1994, I knew God wanted me to help in any way possible.  I knew I was to share love, raise money to build houses, and take any opportunity to help these children and meet their needs.”

Vickie love,
board secretary

Vickie Love worked in the marketing department of Lowe’s Home Improvement for 21 years.  In the last 15 years of this time period, Vickie worked in the Build and Grow Kids Program that was implemented in Lowe’s stores across the nation.  During her time as a Lowe’s employee, Vickie volunteered in the Habitat for Humanity Women Build Program, which is a national program that encourages women to work together to eliminate poverty housing.  Vickie also volunteered in the Lowe’s employee disaster relief committee.  As a first time board member of Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home, Vickie brings expertise in management, leadership, marketing, and knowledge of the community and local organizations. 
Vickie is a Wilkes County native, and has two children three grandchildren. She is a member of North Wilkesboro First Baptist Church. Vickie attended Wilkes Central High School and Wilkes Community College. 

Rex eldreth

Allen davis

Allen Davis is an active board member of Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home.  Mr. Davis has served Ebenezer since June 2017.   Mr. Davis retired from Lowes Home Improvement in 2012 after almost 30 years in their Information Technology Department.   Mr. Davis has years of experience in personnel management, project development, management, tracking and reporting, financial planning, and day to day operational activities. 
Mr. Davis has a calling to help children within his community.  Mr. Davis is a former Boy Scout leader and church youth volunteer.  As a board member, Mr. Davis sees the opportunity for the organization to assist children that need love and support.  Mr. Davis believes ECCH gives children an opportunity to grow within a healthy environment.  
Mr. Davis is married, a father and a grandfather.  He has a son and a daughter and three grandchildren.  
Mr. Davis demonstrates many of the skills needed as a board member of ECCH.  Mr. Davis’ experience permits him to provide management expertise to assist ECCH.  Mr. Davis brings years of leadership and finance experience to the ECCH board of directors.   Mr. Davis is a graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

cathy graham

Cathy Graham has served Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home in a variety of roles since 2002.   As a board member, Cathy has experience as a volunteer within ECCH and clearly understands the organization and the services it offers.  
Cathy has experience as a teacher assistant in Wilkes County Schools for over 17 years and been a substitute teacher for 12 years.  Cathy has been a Sunday school teacher for almost 12 years, and has a compassionate heart for children and Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home.  Cathy has three children and four grandchildren.   
Cathy has been awarded Teacher Assistant of the Year award and the Unsung Hero Award.  Cathy was on the school improvement team at North Wilkesboro Elementary School for 4 years, where the team led the development of a school improvement plan that addresses student achievement needs and monitored the implementation of the plan. Cathy graduated from Wilkes Central High School in 1976, and completed a Certified Nurse Assistance Course at Wilkes Community College.

Aaron Smith

Aaron Smith is an active board member, and has a great deal of knowledge to offer Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home.  Mr. Smith has worked for Maybelle Transports, Green Printing Company, Proctor and Schwartz, and Weather’s Office Equipment.  Mr. Smith has 15 years of self-employment experience, owning and operating A. Smith Office Furniture. 
Mr. Smith has served on the ECCH Board for two different terms.  Mr. Smith is an active member of Antioch Baptist Church.  Mr. Smith serves needy Wilkes County residents by providing food to them through Second Harvest Food Bank in Winston Salem NC. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been married for 20 years. Mr. Smith and his wife have three children and nine grandchildren.
Mr. Smith brings many skills needed to be a board member at Ebenezer.  Mr. Smith has knowledge of the types of services provided within Ebenezer, business experience, risk management, and has served on other boards.  Mr. Smith retired at age 70 from being a transportation driver at Britthaven Nursing Home.  Mr. Smith graduated from Lexington High School.  Mr. Smith then attended Industrial Business School in Winston-Salem, NC.
 

Michelle Shepherd

Michelle joined the Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home Board of Directors in 2019. She attended Campbell University where she received a degree in early childhood education, and later received her masters in school administration at Appalachian State University. She has worked in the school setting as an educator for 30 years, and currently works as a principal for Wilkes County Schools. She serves as a Key Club advisor at her school, and actively volunteers at her church and with her church’s food pantry program. Michelle grew up in a large family that provided lots of love and nurturing. She realizes the importance that this can have in shaping the life of a youth, and wants to share the experience of being cared for unconditionally with children who may not have that same experience. Michelle feels that God has given her a heart for serving youth, and joined the Ebenezer Board of Directors as a way to have an impact beyond her interaction at the school level.