Board of Deacons

Joy Lee Eppes

Joy Lee was born and raised in Charlotte, where she attended Sardis Presbyterian Church. In 1960, she married Bill, and together they have one son, Ryan, who lives in Plainville, Massachusetts. Joy Lee can best be described as a “professional volunteer,” having served on the Board of Directors of the Mansfield Massachusetts Council on Aging and the United Way. She was also a member of the School Superintendent Search Committee and the Mansfield Town Manager Search Committee, delivered Meals on Wheels, and is an advocate for parents and children. After living in New York, Massachusetts, and Maine, Joy Lee and Bill returned to North Carolina in 2006. Contact Joy Lee. 

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 37 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. 

Susan Garrett

Susan is a Motor City born and raised Michigander! She got to know Jesus at Fort St. Presbyterian as a child, where her grandparents taught in children’s ministries. Susan met her husband Mike at Wayne State University, where she studied Business Administration-Management. She and Mike most recently moved to Asheville from Vermont to be near their two daughters and three grandchildren. Susan enjoys Hobie Cat sailing, playing piano, poking in flower beds, and greeting at church! Past areas of church involvement include children’s ministry, prayer, mission, hospitality, women’s retreats, Bible study, cooking, and the choir! Contact Susan Garrett at sjgarrett33@gmail.com or (802) 233-1477.
Contact Susan. 

Susan Lang

Susan was born in Bartow, Florida, and there she accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of 12 at First Presbyterian Church. For most of her professional career, she practiced occupational therapy in Florida, Maryland, and North Carolina. She also has a Masters in Public Health. Susan moved to Ravencroft Condos in Asheville last year and works part-time at Biltmore Estate. She enjoys volunteers at ABCCM, hiking, swimming, and Bible study. Contact Susan. 

Elaine Morse

Elaine grew up in southern Indiana and on the west coast of Florida.  She graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg and received a Master’s degree at Indiana University, where she met her husband, Andy.  After graduate school, they moved to Atlanta, where they spent 40 happy, busy years.  Over time, as their faith journeys evolved, they were active members of Oakhurst Baptist Church, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, and most recently Central Congregational UCC.  She joyfully retired in 2016 after a 35-year career in IT, the last 22 years at Georgia-Pacific.  They relocated to Asheville in 2018 – long a favorite vacation destination for them – and they're thrilled to be permanent residents of this beautiful area!  They were extremely fortunate to find and join New Hope shortly after they settled here, and they have loved building new relationships and participating in services that support the Asheville community. Contact Elaine.

Anita Rice

Born in California, Anita spent her childhood in India with missionary parents and then spent her college years in the U.S. After college, Anita married her first husband Jon, and they lived in six different states. Anita taught Home Economics, and Jon was a church musician, so they attended the churches where he worked: Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal, and Methodist. Jon died in 2013. Anita married Lee Rice, a class mate from boarding school in India in 2015. They live at Givens Estates and are retired. Contact Anita.