"Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine." - 1 Timothy 5: 17

Churches among Churches of Christ are each governed autonomously by a body of elders. These elders are the leaders of that individual congregation. Qualifications for an elder are found in the Word of God, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. These passages are used as the standard to nominate and elect the elders. Tuscumbia has truly been blessed with very talented and capable men. These men have done a great job guiding and leading our "Forever Family". Please take some time to get to know them a little better.

Ralph Foster My name is Ralph Foster. I was born in 1927 in the small farming community of Red Rock, located about ten miles west of Tuscumbia, Alabama. I attended elementary and high school in Cherokee, Alabama where I graduated in 1945. I graduated from David Lipscomb College (now university) in 1951 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration.

I married the love of my life, Lisabeth, in August 1951. I was also drafted into the U.S. Army in November 1951 where I spent the next two years with thirteen months of that time served in France. After working for the next 41 years, I retired in December 1994.

I have been a member of our "Forever Family" since 1949 when my family moved from Red Rock because my father was elected to the office of Colbert County Tax Collector. I have served as an elder of the Tuscumbia Church of Christ since 1976.

Lisabeth and I had five children, three boys and two girls. Our fourth child, Dean, had brain damage at birth which resulted in him having Cerebral Palsy. He died at the age of seventeen. We now have eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. After our children left home, Lisabeth taught school for ten years and is currently working part time as a tour guide at the Helen Keller Birthplace.


Steve Grissom

Mike McMackin Hello my name is Mike McMackin. I am president of McMackin’s Business Systems, Inc. in Sheffield. I have been involved in the sale of records storage and automated retrieval systems since 1969. Our business was started by my father R.N. McMackin, a former elder at Tuscumbia, in 1947. My business territory covers 15 counties in North Alabama.

I was born in Jackson, Tennessee in 1945. I graduated from Deshler High School in 1964 and received a B.S. Degree from Harding University in Business Administration in 1968. I have taught bible classes at Tuscumbia continuously since 1965. I was appointed as a deacon in 1985 and an elder in 1997.

In 1970 I married Rebekah Alexander from Florence, AL. Rebekah is the Guidance Counselor at Colbert Heights Elementary School. We have three daughters: Emily McMackin is a writer in Nashville, TN; Susanna McMackin Williams teaches P.E. in Arab, AL; Lauren McMackin is a registered nurse at Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield, AL.

I was the creator of the Helen Keller Festival in 1979. I am a former member of the Tuscumbia Civitan Club, a member of the Board of Directors for Zambia Christian Schools, and the President of the Helen Keller Birthplace Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors.

I enjoy being involved in community activities, playing golf and listening to all types of music. I led singing at the Tuscumbia congregation for several years. I teach an adult bible class on Sunday.

Herbert Norris My name is Herbert Norris. My family has been attending Tuscumbia Church of Christ since June 1990. I was appointed a deacon in 1995, and then was appointed an elder on April 13, 1997.

My wife is the former Oma Medley. We were married on June 26, 1971. We have two sons, David and Brian, and one grandson.

I served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969. My primary station was in Germany. I worked in chemical research for the Tennessee Valley Authority and retired in 1998 after working 25 years.


Jack Stephenson My name is Jack Stephenson. I was born in Tallapoosa, Georgia, October 11, 1932. I started attending worship services at Tuscumbia Church of Christ in 1940. I was baptized by Flavil Nichols in October 1945, during a Gus Nichols Gospel Meeting.

I am married to Kay Morris Stephenson who has attended services at the church in Tuscumbia since 1935. We were married in the church building August 19, 1956. We have two children, Vicki Smith and Blake Stephenson, and five grandchildren.

I started teaching a Bible class (two actually) in 1956, and except for nearly two years living in Florida, have taught ever since. I helped to found what is now the San Souci Church of Christ in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1960. While there is was preaching and teaching adult Bible classes. I was appointed a Tuscumbia Church of Christ deacon in 1977 and later as an elder in 1990. I served on the Mars Hill Bible School Board of Directors from 1983 to 1989.

I served in the U. S. Navy 1953 - 1955. In 1959, I received a B.S. degree in Accounting from Florence State College. I am a former member, and officer, of the civic clubs, Junior Chamber of Commerce and Civitan. I founded JABCO, Inc. in 1964, and I have served as a board member of Alabama, southeastern, and national trade associations for a period of eighteen years. JABCO, Inc. was inducted into the Aqua 100 Hall of Fame and Industry's Choice Gold Circle Club. It was also chosen by the Shoals Chamber of Commerce for the 2002 Manufacturing / Construction Award.


Doug Walker Hello my name is Doug Walker. I am the son of Robert and Betty Dale Walker and the grandson of the late Woody and Sarah Walker and Haswell and Virginia Dean. I was born on June 10, 1962. The Tuscumbia Church of Christ has always been my home and in 1972 I became a member of the Lord's Church.

I attended Mars Hill Bible School and graduated in 1980. After high school I went to Northwest Junior College where I received an Associate Degree in Applied Science. President of Vatsco Inc. and presently employed with Norfolk Southern.

I have formerly served as a deacon for the "Forever Family". I have also served on various ministry committees such as: missions, group leader, and hospitality committees. I have also spent time serving on the Mars Hill Bible School Board of Directors.

I am happily married to my lovely wife Betty. She is a nurse at Helen Keller Hospital. We have three wonderful children: Robert (17), Andrew (15), and Rachel (13). They are all students at Mars Hill Bible School.