Board of Deacons

Mary Jo Limbird, Co-Moderator

A South Carolinian by birth, Mary Jo enjoyed a long career in California as a special education teacher after receiving her Masters in Special Education from George Peabody College for Teachers. She met her husband Glenn in Orange County, California, and they later lived in the Sacramento area, as well as in Loomis, California. After retiring in 1999, she and Glenn moved to Fairview, North Carolina and made New Hope their church home. At New Hope, Mary Jo has served on the Session, taught children’s classes, worked with Vacation Bible School, and has been active on various committees. Currently she serves as an officer for Presbyterian Women, sings in the choir, and is Moderator of the Diaconate. Contact Mary Jo at maryjolimbird@gmail.com. 

Kim Sluder, Co-Moderator

Kim has had the honor of being a member at New Hope since 2011. She has served previously as a deacon as well as on the Pastor Nominating Committee and Outreach Committee. She and her wife Tracy were married in 2014 and have two wonderful children, Joshua and Jordan. They are all very active in worship and in other activities at the church. Kim is a native of this area, having received her Bachelors of Science in Communication Disorders at Appalachian State University and her Masters of Science at Western Carolina University. She has been a speech-language pathologist for 26 years. Contact Kim at ksluder@bellsouth.net.

Janet Black

After 30 years as a nurse and nurse practitioner, I retired to become an author of health-related books. I’ve published four so far; the best seller is on fibromyalgia. My interests include singing, playing guitar and reading. In addition to being a deacon, I manage the New Hope Facebook page and am chair of the Earth Care Committee.  I live with my husband, Bruce Rasmussen, and our pack of beagles in Candler. Contact Janet at ecochristian@yahoo.com.

Carole Burnette

Carole is a native of Buncombe County and lives in Arden. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, children, and grandchildren. She volunteers at Veterans Restoration Quarters and has a passion for cooking and baking. She prepares and serves meals for Steadfast House and for Room at the Inn. Contact Carole at (828) 674-0609 or burnette.carole@gmail.com.

Tom Fife

​Tom and his wife Jan made New Hope their home in 2016 after moving here from New York. They have been married for 35 years and have a daughter in Candler. After growing up on a dairy farm, Tom earned his BS in Agriculture Education at the University of Georgia and then served in the Peace Corps for seven years, first in Peru and then domestically as a recruiter. He later worked for Cornell University’s Quality Milk Program for over 26 years, but he never lost his love for traveling and other cultures. Before retiring to Asheville, Tom enjoyed driving a school bus and getting to know the students. He has served the PC(USA) at the local and Presbytery levels, and his interests include camping, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors. Contact Tom at tomwfife@gmail.com. 

Angela Lepro

Angela grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, went to school in Northampton, Massachusetts, and began her nursing career in New York City. In 1979 she moved to San Antonio, Texas and graduated with a BSN from the University of Texas. She met her husband, Myron, and they moved to Southern California. While he worked as an engineer for Hughes Aircraft, she worked as a nurse administrator for Kaiser Permanente. When it was time to retire they chose Asheville and love calling the mountains their home. Angela has been active member of New Hope for the past 17 years and has been an elder, deacon, officer in Presbyterian Women, and member of the choir. She loves her family, quilting, and her dulcimer. Contact Angela at angellep@charter.net.