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Our Church Staff includes these talented Christians.
Wanette Carroll-Administrative Secretary Danice Heller-Choir Director Jennifer Kuaea-Organist Daniela Castro -Custodian Angie - Nursery Ronda Kohut-Methodist Day School Director Wesley Nurse Methodist HealthCare Ministries Jacqueline (Jackie) Hernandez R.N. Volunteers ChurchHistorian Web page and Facebook Webmasters Robin Anne Palmer For more information about each of them, see below. |
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Danice K. Heller, Director of Music |
I learned to read and direct music playing the French horn in the Junior high and High School Bands here in Del Rio. At that time there wasn't a school choir at the Del Rio Schools.I was in the Junior Choir here at First United Methodist Church and at the age of 15 I joined the Chancel Choir. In 1976 I was approached by an associate pastor here to led a children's choir. I was totally out of my comfort zone, but I took it on and led that choir for five years. In the mid 80's they wanted someone to lead music at the 8:30 service so I volunteered for the job.
By this time I was more comfortable leading music even though I've been told I direct as if I was in front of a large band!
I also directed the Laughlin Air Force Base Chapel Choir at the 11 o'clock service from 1995 to 1999.
I left Del Rio in 2004 but continued to be active in the Music Ministry at St. Paul's United Methodist Church and Christ Community United Methodist Church in El Paso, Texas. When I returned to Del Rio in 2010 the Music Director's position was open, so I applied for the job. I am so thankful to God for blessing my life with music and with people who have given me the courage to step out of my comfort zone to do this work. I truly believe that all God expects is a joyful noise to praise him. and that is my only criteria for being a part of one of our choirs!
Jennifer Kuaea, Pianist / Organist
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I was born and raised in California. I am the youngest of four siblings who were significantly older by 11 years. My mother had complications and almost lost me during birth. I was called “the miracle baby”. I joked to them, “No, I was an accident waiting to happen” and never knew what God’s plan was for me, but my parents did. My father, Molo Talalele Kuaea, worked at Industrial Tectonics Inc. as an engineer making steel and metal bearings and parts for commercial planes and aerospace. Similar to McDonnell Douglas in the 80’s. I remember attending dinner award ceremonies, picnics, and luncheons that honored him and his coworkers’ work. Little did I know, he made parts for the military machinery like tanks, jets, and weapons as well. It was a secret thing back then during the late 70s and early 80s, their company would ship parts overseas to aid in the war effort. He worked there for 20 years, and had severe blisters on his hands, soiled grease head-to toe from grinding parts all day. He wasn’t a soldier, but his brother, father, and grandfather were all Army sergeants during WWI, WWII, Korean, and Vietnam Wars.
My mother’s father, John Ramsay, also served as a Naval lieutenant in WWII. My mother, Diana Ramsay Kuaea, was actively involved in church in the finance committee and helped people in food drives. At least 80% of the church members did not speak English. All sermons and songs were done in Samoan. Her gift was communication and in legal matters, she was their translator and witnessed on their behalf to defend them in court so that they could stay in the U.S. She also helped troubled teens and families who couldn’t afford legal representation in court. In the fourteen cases that I heard her speak as a witness and legal aid/translator, they were released from immigrations and/or set free from jail. Her heart for caring extended at home within her own family.
I developed the love of music during family worship at home. My Dad would sing and strum his guitar/ukulele and we would sing along praising God with familiar hymns from church.On my 8th birthday, my parents gave me a brand new upright piano and took piano lessons from a concert pianist who happened to live in the neighborhood. She taught me music theory and formal instruction. I remember her telling me to”treat this talent not just as a hobby, but as a discipline”. I took her advice, sat on my piano bench, playing countless hours of practicing scales, fingering techniques, chord progressions, and sight-reading music from various composers whom had inspired me to learn music in other ways. In my middle and high school years, I was passionately involved in many activities with music. I played the marimba and xylophone (instruments that keys like a piano except you beat them with sticks) and bass drum for concert band and drumline. I sang and played the piano/keyboard for Gospel choir ensemble for Ms. Grace and played the piano/keyboard for jazz and orchestra for Mr. Hewitt and Ms. Annes. Music directors that challenged me to think outside of the box and be creative. Mr. Scott Halverson, an English teacher, also inspired me not to just analyze literature and poetry but be creative with it and come up with our own and to “go beyondthe obvious”. I am in debt to these teachers for that is what is missing in the school system now.
Creativity is the highest form of learning and we have God to thank for it for He is the ultimate Creator. We are in awe at the latest technology, cures, and transportation and yet who can create a human being on their own? No one. We are in awe of inventors, doctors, and scientists, their minds, skills, and abilities, but who created them? Everything points to God. When I was ten, my brothers and sister left the nest to pursue their goals and it was just my parents and me. At 16, my dad had a heart attack, suffered and endured a lot of pain. For two years, my Mom and I took care of him and tried our best to help him, but his illness got worse, and the doctor told us he needed to be in the hospital for his final moments. My Mom refused because it was my father’s wish to die at home. I was there during his final breath and remembered his smile as he looked out at the window and there was a beam of light over his head as he passed away peacefully on his bed.
My Mom and I lived together and she couldn’t accept my father’s death. I remember many nights staying up with her and listening to her talk about dad and her life in the past. I tried to console her and think of ways to help her out of her grief. She suffered from manic depression and these were some of the most difficult years of my life watching my Mom do things that were mentally unstable. There were times she would act normal and she could carry on a conversations, but then it would trigger her memories of my father and past, and she’d have a nervous breakdown. She was the strong one, the foundation of our family, and to see her slip in that debilitative state just broke my heart. It was to the point that she no longer recognized me when I spoke to her and she never spoke again. I would try to show her photos from trips we took from that family album and brought her roses from her garden to show what she love to do as a hobby, but she shutdown and never recovered. She passed away in 1998. The same month and day like my father. I’d like to think that they are together now because they died on the same exact day and month, July 31.
Shortly after graduation from high school, I left California to be close to my brother, Phil,who was a detective for the Del Rio Police Department. I went to a trade school in San Marcos where I met my children’s father and we both graduated with certificates for payroll clerks. We moved to Houston, but things didn’t work out between us and my brothers helped me moved back to Del Rio. I knew Del Rio was a great place to raise children seeing first-hand with my own brother’s family.My first two jobs here was a daycare attendant at Noah’s Ark Daycare in the mornings and a hotel desk clerk at Holiday Inn Express. I didn’t like not being able to spend time with my children at nights.
I missed God’s presence and playing the piano in church, so I decided to search for a church home. On Sunday morning, I visited a nearby church which was Greater Mount Olive Baptist church worked and played the piano for their Sunday services for one year. One of the members worked at Laughlin Air Force Base handled their contracts and accounts, heard me sing and play,and offered me a contract for one year at the base as a Choir Director for the Catholic and Protestant services at the LAFB Chapel. I enjoyed being there as a director, but I missed playing the piano. I was about to renew my contract there until I read an ad in the Del Rio News Herald requesting a piano accompanist needed for First United Methodist Church. I have been here at FUMC since 2006.
This church has been a Godsend to me. I have had “angels” and “Moms” like Nancy, Susan, Sue, Jonella, and Danice, choir, and congregation, welcome and guide me along with open arms. It’s helped me to grow to reach out not just in church, but in the community. I truly found family here in this church. At the same time, I was taking courses at SWTJC and received an Associate’s Degree in Arts. I took courses at Sul Ross for Education but during student teaching, I realized that substituting for fourteen school for several classes in the week from K-12, was much more my thing than being in one class for the entire school year.
I visit many classes and schools within the school year, try to impart knowledge, to most if not all the students in Del Rio for the past 11 years.
In 2013, I substituted for Mr. Gonzalez, Del Rio High School Choir director, heard me play and I had a contract to practice and perform for their concerts and UIL State Solo and Ensemble Competitions. I have played for his choirs for the past four years. In 2016, Clay Sewalt, a member of FUMC, offered me a position at St. James Episcopal Church to sing and play for the students two days of the week for their morning chapel services. God has been good I feel He has given me more blessings than I deserve. I continue to play for weddings, special events, and funeral services.
As far as my children, my daughter, Keiana, actively volunteers during church service Sundays to take care of the children in the nursery. Both Keiana and my son Kai are currently attending Southwest Texas JuniorCollege online due to the pandemic and will resume classes on campus when it ends. I rarely get to see them because they are actively involved in their studies and activities as I am with work. But we do make sure we set aside time for God as a family and pass on what my parents instilled in me which is to have a personal relationship with God no matter what.
In my past and present experiences, I have come to know this: No matter what situations, hardships, experiences, and people we come across, always seek God in and through all things.Brothers and sisters in Christ, I believe each one of us have abilities/talents/skills that God has given us to do His will. We have all have different ways in which we serve Him, each helping to improve ourselves and the world. I hope we all choose use those gifts for His glory. May God bless you all!!!
My mother’s father, John Ramsay, also served as a Naval lieutenant in WWII. My mother, Diana Ramsay Kuaea, was actively involved in church in the finance committee and helped people in food drives. At least 80% of the church members did not speak English. All sermons and songs were done in Samoan. Her gift was communication and in legal matters, she was their translator and witnessed on their behalf to defend them in court so that they could stay in the U.S. She also helped troubled teens and families who couldn’t afford legal representation in court. In the fourteen cases that I heard her speak as a witness and legal aid/translator, they were released from immigrations and/or set free from jail. Her heart for caring extended at home within her own family.
I developed the love of music during family worship at home. My Dad would sing and strum his guitar/ukulele and we would sing along praising God with familiar hymns from church.On my 8th birthday, my parents gave me a brand new upright piano and took piano lessons from a concert pianist who happened to live in the neighborhood. She taught me music theory and formal instruction. I remember her telling me to”treat this talent not just as a hobby, but as a discipline”. I took her advice, sat on my piano bench, playing countless hours of practicing scales, fingering techniques, chord progressions, and sight-reading music from various composers whom had inspired me to learn music in other ways. In my middle and high school years, I was passionately involved in many activities with music. I played the marimba and xylophone (instruments that keys like a piano except you beat them with sticks) and bass drum for concert band and drumline. I sang and played the piano/keyboard for Gospel choir ensemble for Ms. Grace and played the piano/keyboard for jazz and orchestra for Mr. Hewitt and Ms. Annes. Music directors that challenged me to think outside of the box and be creative. Mr. Scott Halverson, an English teacher, also inspired me not to just analyze literature and poetry but be creative with it and come up with our own and to “go beyondthe obvious”. I am in debt to these teachers for that is what is missing in the school system now.
Creativity is the highest form of learning and we have God to thank for it for He is the ultimate Creator. We are in awe at the latest technology, cures, and transportation and yet who can create a human being on their own? No one. We are in awe of inventors, doctors, and scientists, their minds, skills, and abilities, but who created them? Everything points to God. When I was ten, my brothers and sister left the nest to pursue their goals and it was just my parents and me. At 16, my dad had a heart attack, suffered and endured a lot of pain. For two years, my Mom and I took care of him and tried our best to help him, but his illness got worse, and the doctor told us he needed to be in the hospital for his final moments. My Mom refused because it was my father’s wish to die at home. I was there during his final breath and remembered his smile as he looked out at the window and there was a beam of light over his head as he passed away peacefully on his bed.
My Mom and I lived together and she couldn’t accept my father’s death. I remember many nights staying up with her and listening to her talk about dad and her life in the past. I tried to console her and think of ways to help her out of her grief. She suffered from manic depression and these were some of the most difficult years of my life watching my Mom do things that were mentally unstable. There were times she would act normal and she could carry on a conversations, but then it would trigger her memories of my father and past, and she’d have a nervous breakdown. She was the strong one, the foundation of our family, and to see her slip in that debilitative state just broke my heart. It was to the point that she no longer recognized me when I spoke to her and she never spoke again. I would try to show her photos from trips we took from that family album and brought her roses from her garden to show what she love to do as a hobby, but she shutdown and never recovered. She passed away in 1998. The same month and day like my father. I’d like to think that they are together now because they died on the same exact day and month, July 31.
Shortly after graduation from high school, I left California to be close to my brother, Phil,who was a detective for the Del Rio Police Department. I went to a trade school in San Marcos where I met my children’s father and we both graduated with certificates for payroll clerks. We moved to Houston, but things didn’t work out between us and my brothers helped me moved back to Del Rio. I knew Del Rio was a great place to raise children seeing first-hand with my own brother’s family.My first two jobs here was a daycare attendant at Noah’s Ark Daycare in the mornings and a hotel desk clerk at Holiday Inn Express. I didn’t like not being able to spend time with my children at nights.
I missed God’s presence and playing the piano in church, so I decided to search for a church home. On Sunday morning, I visited a nearby church which was Greater Mount Olive Baptist church worked and played the piano for their Sunday services for one year. One of the members worked at Laughlin Air Force Base handled their contracts and accounts, heard me sing and play,and offered me a contract for one year at the base as a Choir Director for the Catholic and Protestant services at the LAFB Chapel. I enjoyed being there as a director, but I missed playing the piano. I was about to renew my contract there until I read an ad in the Del Rio News Herald requesting a piano accompanist needed for First United Methodist Church. I have been here at FUMC since 2006.
This church has been a Godsend to me. I have had “angels” and “Moms” like Nancy, Susan, Sue, Jonella, and Danice, choir, and congregation, welcome and guide me along with open arms. It’s helped me to grow to reach out not just in church, but in the community. I truly found family here in this church. At the same time, I was taking courses at SWTJC and received an Associate’s Degree in Arts. I took courses at Sul Ross for Education but during student teaching, I realized that substituting for fourteen school for several classes in the week from K-12, was much more my thing than being in one class for the entire school year.
I visit many classes and schools within the school year, try to impart knowledge, to most if not all the students in Del Rio for the past 11 years.
In 2013, I substituted for Mr. Gonzalez, Del Rio High School Choir director, heard me play and I had a contract to practice and perform for their concerts and UIL State Solo and Ensemble Competitions. I have played for his choirs for the past four years. In 2016, Clay Sewalt, a member of FUMC, offered me a position at St. James Episcopal Church to sing and play for the students two days of the week for their morning chapel services. God has been good I feel He has given me more blessings than I deserve. I continue to play for weddings, special events, and funeral services.
As far as my children, my daughter, Keiana, actively volunteers during church service Sundays to take care of the children in the nursery. Both Keiana and my son Kai are currently attending Southwest Texas JuniorCollege online due to the pandemic and will resume classes on campus when it ends. I rarely get to see them because they are actively involved in their studies and activities as I am with work. But we do make sure we set aside time for God as a family and pass on what my parents instilled in me which is to have a personal relationship with God no matter what.
In my past and present experiences, I have come to know this: No matter what situations, hardships, experiences, and people we come across, always seek God in and through all things.Brothers and sisters in Christ, I believe each one of us have abilities/talents/skills that God has given us to do His will. We have all have different ways in which we serve Him, each helping to improve ourselves and the world. I hope we all choose use those gifts for His glory. May God bless you all!!!
Wesley Nurse
Jacqueline (Jackie) Hernandez R.N.
[email protected]
(830 775 1541)
100 Spring St. Del Rio,Texas 78840
Jacqueline (Jackie) Hernandez R.N.
[email protected]
(830 775 1541)
100 Spring St. Del Rio,Texas 78840
My name is Jacqueline Hernandez, I am the daughter of Virginia Hernandez and the late Richard Hernandez. I was born and raised in Del Rio, Tx. I am the youngest sister to two brothers, Joseph Anthony Hernandez and Richard Hernandez Jr.
I am a graduate of Del Rio High School class of 1997 and a graduate of San Antonio College class of 2004 where I received my Registered Nurse Degree. Since a young child I always knew that helping others in the medical field was my calling. My experience comes from climbing the educational ladder as a Certified Nursing Aide, Licensed Vocational Nurse and finally a Registered Nurse. There has been no better feeling of accomplishment than my nursing career. During the early part of my career, I was employed at VVRMC, working in all departments. Bedside nursing care brings me the most joy, providing hands on care, emotional support, and education to every patient.
After 5 years of providing nursing care in the hospital setting, I transitioned to Home Health Nursing. The change in career was brought about by the desire and need to exceed at my greatest role in life, being a mother and a daughter. God has blessed me with two amazing boys, Javier Rene Gonzalez and Aidan Christopher Fernandez, they along with my family and my nursing career are the reason for my existence. My father was and will always be my best friend and biggest mentor, he was always very proud of the fact that I chose nursing as a career, if he could tell anyone and everyone, he had his own personal nurse he would.
My desire to give back to my community as well as the importance of family has been the biggest reason that Del Rio continues to be our home and always will. When the opportunity arose to transition to faith-based nursing as the Wesley Nurse for Methodist Healthcare Ministries, the experience and the process was paved every step of the way by God, everything fell into place as it was meant to be. My goal is to provide for the community that has raised myself and my children and give back the love, support and guidance that I have received.
I am a graduate of Del Rio High School class of 1997 and a graduate of San Antonio College class of 2004 where I received my Registered Nurse Degree. Since a young child I always knew that helping others in the medical field was my calling. My experience comes from climbing the educational ladder as a Certified Nursing Aide, Licensed Vocational Nurse and finally a Registered Nurse. There has been no better feeling of accomplishment than my nursing career. During the early part of my career, I was employed at VVRMC, working in all departments. Bedside nursing care brings me the most joy, providing hands on care, emotional support, and education to every patient.
After 5 years of providing nursing care in the hospital setting, I transitioned to Home Health Nursing. The change in career was brought about by the desire and need to exceed at my greatest role in life, being a mother and a daughter. God has blessed me with two amazing boys, Javier Rene Gonzalez and Aidan Christopher Fernandez, they along with my family and my nursing career are the reason for my existence. My father was and will always be my best friend and biggest mentor, he was always very proud of the fact that I chose nursing as a career, if he could tell anyone and everyone, he had his own personal nurse he would.
My desire to give back to my community as well as the importance of family has been the biggest reason that Del Rio continues to be our home and always will. When the opportunity arose to transition to faith-based nursing as the Wesley Nurse for Methodist Healthcare Ministries, the experience and the process was paved every step of the way by God, everything fell into place as it was meant to be. My goal is to provide for the community that has raised myself and my children and give back the love, support and guidance that I have received.
Administrative Secretary -
Wanette Carroll -
[email protected]
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Our administrative secretary is Wanette Carroll. She has made Del Rio her hometown since 1956. “After living and traveling in many other locations through the years, I am glad to be here now. Family and friends are very important to me, so I am fortunate to have both in Del Rio. It is a blessing to have Christian friends from two great churches, both my home church, First Baptist, and here at First United Methodist Church. Working together toward similar goals is a worthy occupation, and I am please to be a part of it.”
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Custodian - Daniela Castro
Daniela, is the hard working lady behind the scenes who keeps everything running in top shape here at First UMC. She is always ready to help set up or clean up. Her smile and loving spirit is quite evident.
Day School Director - Ronda Kohut
Ronda has been the Day School Director since May of 2005. Prior to her becoming the Director, she was the 4 year old Teacher for 2 1/2 years. Ronda received her Bachelor of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is also involved in the childrens' ministries at FUMC. Ronda and her husband Darren have two young adult children.They have lived in Del Rio since 2001. Ronda enjoys reading, water skiing, camping, and coaching.
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Church Historian
Robin Anne Palmer I was baptized at 10 days of age on Mother’s Day in 1955 in this church. I grew up in this church and went nearly every Sunday, as my mother was a Sunday school teacher and so I had to be there! My grandparents were also members and sang in the choir as did my mother and brother. My father was the church organist in the early 1940s and later became the Sunday night organist in the late 1960s the 70’s.and the early 80’s. In fact my mother and father met right here in our church.She was singing in the choir and he was the organist at a revival.
I became an Eagle Scout in 1973 through Troop 271 which was sponsored by this church. After graduating from high school, I attended and graduated from Angelo State University in San Angelo in December of 1980 with a degree in Speech and Psychology with secondary certification to teach those subjects as well as history and health education. While in college, I received choir scholarships at First Church in San Angelo and because of that I did many solos not only singing but playing the tuba. In the summer of 1980 I was one of six from the State of Texas to be selected to be in the very first Methodist Festival Choir European tour which toured and sang at many Wesleyan sites and churches in England as well as six other countries. Our director was Dr. Carlton R. Young the editor of our current Methodist hymnal. We were required to memorize each country‘s national anthem along with 30 anthems both in English, German and Latin. Our choir was made up of 150 young high school and college age students. I have been humbled to sing in many notable Wesley historical sites such as Wesley’s Chapel in London, The New Room in Bristol as well as singing in Notre Dame in Paris and Saint Pauls Cathedral in London. Our church as well as St Lukes in San Angelo and 1st Church in San Angelo along with the San Angelo District (West District) helped me financially along with my parents. After college I came back to my hometown and started working as a nurses aide while I was waiting for jobs to open up in the educational field. After my father’s untimely passing in 1981, I decided to stay and help my mother with her needs and care. I re-trained and became a LVN after earning the physicians scholarship which meant I had to stay here and work for at least a year. In the medical field it is mostly shiftwork and unfortunately I had to work every other Sunday. I did that for 38 years and finally retired in June 2019. Currently I sing in the choir and at times play the tuba for church and other occasions. I also was elected to be on the trustees, and I am the current chair and I also help with the webpage and the Facebook page of our church. Currently I am singing remotely with the choir at Bethany United Methodist Church in San Francisco via the internet each week. I volunteered to be the church historian because I have appreciated history and it’s impact on our present lives. It is my goal to share that love of our rich history of this church to others. I follow in the footsteps of some great historians from First Church in Del Rio and hope that I can do as good as they did. I was recently afforded a room on the second floor which will house anything historical pertaining to our church. I am hoping to preserve as many photographs and historical documents from the past so that anyone can view them via current technology. It is my hope that they will be able to also appreciate what those faithful early day Methodists went through and sacrificed since this church started in Del Rio in 1882. |
United Methodist Church Bishop Karen Oliveto and Robin at the Rio Texas Annual Conference Corpus Christi,Tx June 2019
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