About Us
Burleson Athena Members
Our Mission
Our Passion
Events
Links
Contact Us
Home

Patsy Dumas
1992 Athena

Patsy Dumas is Vice President and Loan Officer of First National Bank of Burleson.  In the past, she has held management positions with two other Burleson Banks, one being the First State Bank of Rio Vista, fondly referred to as the Cowpasture Bank. 

Patsy presently serves on the United Cooperative Services Board of Directors as the Board Secretary.  She proudly holds the position as the only woman ever elected to the original "Johnson County Electric" Board.  She also serves on the Making it Happen for Kids Foundation Education Board and is proud to be a charter member of the Burleson Community Chorale, the Character Council and Burleson Beautification Council.  She holds the honor of being the only female club President of the Burleson Rotary Club and was instrumental  in paving the way for women to enter this club in the early 1990's.  She was honored as the Rotarian of the Year and awarded with the Paul Harris Fellow by the club.

Patsy has also been active in the Burleson Chamber of Commerce for the last 20 years.  She was chosen as Burleson's Citizen of the Year in 1990 and has received numerous other Chamber awards throughout the years which include national Chamber awards in membership, in both 1988 and 1989.   She has served on the Chamber Gala committee and Banquet Committee.  She has also served as Chairman, twice, with her passion being in the membership area. 

In 1992, Patsy was the first, in Burleson, to receive the prestigious Athena Award and was chosen for her leadership in the banking community, as well as her many volunteer efforts. 

Having moved to Burleson in the late 1950's with her husband and son Larry, she cannot imagine spending all these years in any place but Burleson.  She enjoys interior decorating, live plants and shopping with her grand-daughter, Emily Anne.

Sharon Wright
President
1993 Athena

Sharon Wright...  There’s no place like home and Johnson County is where Sharon Wright has proudly called home her entire life.  Sharon and her husband, Howard, have been very active in community affairs for over 25 years.  Their commitment for improving the quality of life for others range from charitable organizations such as Meals on Wheels, American Heart Association, Johnson County Child Advocacy to citizen committees for City of Burleson, Johnson County Economic Development, Burleson ISD, and Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce.    She has been honored with several community awards including Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and ATHENA.

Upon retiring from a major telecommunications corporation, Sharon formed her own consulting and training company.   She is past chairman of the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce and is recognized as a lifetime member.  Currently, she serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Star Bank of Texas. 

Laurie Evans
1994 Athena

Laurie Evans wasn’t born in Texas, but she got here as soon as she could.  Laurie grew up in South Dakota, and she and her family moved to Odessa in 1982.   They relocated to Burleson in 1984.  Laurie has been employed by Huguley Memorial Medical Center since 1985 where she has worked in accounting, volunteer services, administration, marketing and development.  Most recently she is the Marketing/Development Specialist and Coordinator of HuguleyPlus Senior Services.

Laurie was the 1994 Athena Award recipient.  She received this honor for her commitment and influence upon others at Huguley, and for her contribution to the Burleson Chamber, Beautification Committee, American Heart Association, Harvest House, Arthritis Foundation and her church.  Laurie and her husband, Doug, currently reside in Grapevine.

Vera Calvin
Parliamentarian
1995 Athena

Vera Calvin and her family came to Burleson in 1957.  She has always been involved in church, community, school, business and political activities.  She always wanted a college education so, after her daughters were in high school and college, she actively pursued this dream.  She became an LVN before earning an Associate Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Care Administration in 1984.  She was a Health Services Coordinator at Fort Worth State School, retiring in 1993 and was Justice of Peace from 1995-1996.

Vera was chosen as the Athena Award recipient in 1995 for her leadership and example of what women can achieve.  She served on the Burleson City Council from 1980-1984 and 1987-1992, was the second woman to be elected as a council member, and was Burleson's first woman to hold the office of Mayor, serving from 1988-1992.   She joined the Chamber of Commerce in 1980, has been a director for the Chamber, received the Citizen of the Year award in 1993, Cleburne Zonta Club 2002 Woman of Achievement Award, 1993 Garden Club Ann Heberle Humanitarian Award and numerous other honors.  Vera was also a director and chairman of Johnson County Child Welfare Board, is a long time member of the Business & Professional Women, was the State Outstanding District Director in 1995 and is a current member of the Cleburne Area BPW local organization.

Vera was married to Stacy Calvin for more than 46 years and has been a widow since 1993.  She has one living daughter, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  One daughter passed away in 2002.  She enjoys working with the Athena group, ballroom dancing and travel.  She is proud of her involvement with organizations that help others.

Debbie Pesnell
1996 Athena

Debbie Pesnell is Vice-President of Operations and Marketing of the MIDI for Kids After-School Music Program and All Aboard the Music and Math Connection Pre-School Program.  She also acts as the liaison officer with MIDI for Kid’s partner – J.W. Pepper and Sons.  She is a twenty-year Texas public school music teacher having had experience at every level both in the classroom and music administration.  Her last fourteen years of teaching in Burleson ISD found her teaching thousands of amazing students including our first American Idol –  Kelly Clarkson. 

Debbie also has experience in the commercial music industry having worked as vocal director for Six Flags Over Texas, Show Choir Camps of America, Brightleaf Music Workshop and directing the Texas Showdown Show Choir Camp at Texas Christian University. Debbie’s mission statement for her newest endeavor is, “Teaching children to learn to love life through music” has always been very important to her and the MIDI for Kids and All Aboard After-School Music Programs are the perfect tools to do just that.  The MIDI for Kids and All Aboard After-School Music Programs are unique programs teaching children the traditional world of notation reading and incorporating the excitement of the garage band in learning to play familiar tunes by ear.  This program comes to a school at no cost whatsoever, being completely funded by class tuition.  MIDI for Kids is a collaborative effort between three companies:  MIDI for Kids After-School Music Program, All Aboard the Music and Math Connection and the J.W. Pepper and Sons Music Company.

Rosie Perez
Treasurer
1997 Athena

Kay Godbey
1998 Athena

Kay Godbey was born and raised in Fort Worth, but spent most of her public service career at the cities of Euless and Burleson.  She moved to Burleson after accepting the City Manager position in 1993, where she served until her retirement in 2001.  Her tenure as City Manager brought the city organization into participation with community organizations and events.  She served on the Johnson County Economic Development Commission, the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce, and several other committees. The City’s marketing and economic development efforts, building development, beautification and transportation projects helped establish Burleson as a growing and dynamic community.  She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington and remains a member of several city management organizations.   Kay is pursuing a PhD. in Public Administration at the University of Texas at Arlington.

She was the 1998 Athena Award recipient, nominated for her work and volunteer efforts for the betterment of Burleson and Johnson County, as well as her heavy emphasis on the education and mentoring of other women.  She resides in Burleson and likes to spend her time with family and friends, gardening, writing, reading, and working with the Athena Society. 

Ella Dean Phillips
1999 Athena

Ella Dean Phillips is a native Texan, born in Fort Worth and a resident of the Burleson area since 1970.  She began her community involvement as Preschool PTA President, Sunday school teacher, Women of the Church president, Cub Scout den mother, and an avid supporter for her three sons' many sports and school activities.  She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and graduated from Tarrant County College.  She retired from her professional career after 30 years as Burleson Branch Manager for EECU Community Credit Union, and is a Certified Credit Union Executive.

She received the 1999 Athena Foundation Award for dedication to the community and education in Burleson.  Past honors and service include YWCA Women in Business Award, Burleson Star Volunteer Award, Johnson County Child Welfare Board, Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce Board, New Teacher Luncheon Chairman.   She has served on numerous committees and programs with the Chamber, Burleson ISD, and other school districts as well as Tarrant County College and the YMCA.  In addition to their community contributions, she and her husband, Calvin Phillips, spend their retirement traveling around the world, and attending the activities of their eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Terrie Lynn Harwell
Historian
2000 Athena

Terrie Lynn Harwell is the Marketing Officer at First National Bank of Burleson. Prior to banking, Harwell spent eight years in the healthcare field working as Marketing Director in several Assisted Living communities and as the Director of Huguley Place Retirement Center. She received her Athena recognition in 2000 for her involvement in training women in business and her participation in various community events and service on numerous Chamber Committees. She has served as a Chamber Ambassador two different times and received the Chairman’s Award along with the Ambassador Team of the Year Award in 1998. While in healthcare, Harwell was a member of Continuity of Care serving on their Board for two years. She was also involved with the Tarrant Area Gerontological Society and Chairperson for a local Business Development Networking group.

She currently serves as President of the Burleson Arts Council and member of the Burleson Community Theater. She also serves as a Board Member and officer for the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center, is a member of the Huguley Home Health Civic Advisory Board, Community Advisory Council for the Burleson Pregnancy Aid Center, as well as an officer for the Athena Society.  Known for her singing, Terrie Lynn continues to entertain in and around Burleson for special events and private parties. She and her family are members of Fossil Creek Community Church in Fort Worth, where she is the Fine Arts Coordinator and sings weekly with an eight member ensemble group.
 

Originally from Wichita Falls, Texas, Harwell and her husband Rex have lived in Burleson since 1992.  Harwell feels her greatest accomplishment is her three children. Their oldest son Ryan is a 2006 graduate of the University of Texas, works for a consulting firm in Dallas and recently married his high school sweetheart Jamie. Clinton is a Senior at UT in Austin, majoring in Economics. Tara is the youngest and is currently in her first year of college, participating in a college internship program as a character performer at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.    

Karan Wethington
2001 Athena

Karan Wethington has been a Realtor for eight years. She is a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Burleson. Prior to becoming a Realtor, she spent fourteen years in the Banking field. In 1998, her first year of real estate sales, she won “Rookie of the Year” with sales in excess of $2.4 million. The following year, 1999, she won “Top Producer”. Since her rookie year she has been consistently one of the top producing agents in the Burleson area. In 2003 she was selected as “Realtor of the Year” by her peers.

Karan, a native of Joshua, has lived in Burleson since 1982. She is married to Paul Wethington, a local Banker. They have three daughters: Tiffany, Tara and Taylor all residing in Burleson and graduates of Burleson High School.

Karan is currently a member of the Texas Association of Realtors, Greater Fort Worth Board of Realtors, Athena Society of Burleson, and Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce. She serves as a Trustee on the Board of the Making It Happen Foundation of the Burleson Chamber of Commerce. She is a past President of the Johnson County American Heart Association, Past Chairman of the Burleson Chamber of Commerce, and past Board Member of the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center.

Karan has served her community through many volunteer efforts, such as: Meals on Wheels, March of Dimes, Harvest House, and many other organizations. She is willing to help out when needed. 

In 2001 she was selected the Athena Award Winner.

Aly Engstrom
2002 Athena

This discovery has led Aly to be involved in many projects benefiting children, women, senior adults, entire families, and communities.  She has served as President of the Athena Society of Burleson and with the help of other Burleson Athena members since 2004 has raised and donated over $125,000.00 to help Johnson County cancer patients, their families and caregivers. 

Many non-profits have benefited from Aly’s involvement and support. Those include Johnson County Child Advocacy Center; Cook’s Children Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Scottish Rite Hospital, Wings of Hope Equine Center, Making It Happen for Kids, Project Celebration, FFA, Children’s Miracle Network, and Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

She has received Volunteer of the Year from numerous organizations and other honors include:  the Careity Foundation Volunteer of the Year. United Way Volunteer of the Year, Optimist Volunteer of the Year, The Ann Heberle Humanitarian Award, Fort Worth Scottish Rite Appreciation Award, and Scottish Hospital Appreciation Award.

Aly is very aware of special needs in the community as well.  She has helped provide funds through Wal Mart to the Burleson Fire and Police Departments to obtain special equipment, American Cancer Society – Relay for Life, Huguley Hospice, Burleson Heritage Foundation, and Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis County.  She has also served on the Crystal Heart gala committee providing support through Wal Mart for Huguley Medical Center. 

Aly was presented the 2005 Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award.  She was applauded for her hard work and dedication to making Burleson a better place to live.  Aly is currently serving her second 3-year term on the BACC Board of Directors.  Over the past years, she has been involved in and supported many of the events and committees hosted by the chamber. 

Although you find Aly’s footprints all over the county, she is quick to give credit to her employer and her co-workers.  She stated “Wal Mart gives me the vehicle to do the things that I get the honor of doing.  It’s not just me.  I represent 600 people and all of those 600 people are good citizens, too.  While they labor at the store, I move about the city and county and do the good work in their name.”

Aly graduated from Cleburne High School and attended Tarrant County and Hill College earning a bachelor’s degree in art and her paralegal certification.

On a personal note, Aly and her husband, Chuck, share children and grandchildren that is very special to them.  Aly likes to create whether it is through a volunteer project, sewing or special embroidery work.

Many people have benefited from Aly’s right brain clicking into action.  Her volunteer spirit helps ensure an improved quality of life and the success of our community. 

Betty Shelton
2003 Athena

Peggy Barnes
Secretary
2004 Athena

Peggy Barnes was born in Connersville, Indiana and moved to Houston Bellaire during third grade.  She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Disciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. Her career in education has now entered its third decade working in Fort Worth, Castleberry, and Burleson Independent School Districts.  With over twenty five years in the Burleson ISD, she has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and is currently the Executive Director of Human Resources for BISD.  As her roles have changed during her career, so have the opportunities for being involved.  Through the years, Peggy has been a volunteer coach for basketball and softball youth associations; served on Johnson County Heart Gala Committee; Johnson County Child Welfare Board; Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; BACC Education Committee; St. Matthew Christian School Board.  Honors include the Association of Texas Professional Educator Regional and State Administrator of the Year award in 2002-03 and BISD Teacher of the Year in 1984.  The professional accomplishment she is most proud of is being part of the staff that developed Crossroads High School for at risk students and making a difference in their lives.

Peggy and her husband, Ronnie have made Burleson their home since 1976.  They have two children and two grandchildren.  They enjoy playing golf and traveling with friends throughout the country to explore new courses.  Other hobbies include genealogy, cycling and most importantly, spoiling grandchildren. 

Jill Kunkel
Vice President
2005 Athena

Jill Kunkel has called Texas home for more than 20 years and though she’s lived all over the world, she considers Burleson her “home town”.  Growing up in places like Tunis, Tunisia; Oran, Algeria; and Calgary, Alberta, has made her appreciate the quiet country life. 

Living in Burleson since 1997 has provided her the opportunity to volunteer for various organizations throughout the community like the Burleson Pregnancy Aid Center, Miss Burleson Pageant Organization, and others. She is a web designer and the owner of JK Web Design.  Her web design business donates several site designs each year and web maintenance to local non-profit organizations like the Johnson County Children's Advocacy Center, the Burleson Pregnancy Aid Center, Burleson Arts Council and others.  She is also an independent Silpada Designs jewelry representative.

It was for her volunteer work throughout the community that Jill was chosen as the 2005 Athena Award Winner.  She is a member of First Baptist Church of Burleson, the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce, and of course, the Athena Society of Burleson.  Jill received the 2007 Star Award for the Athena Society Volunteer of the Year.

Jill and her husband, Jeff, have three children: Their oldest daughter, Kelly, attends Texas A&M University; son, Reid, is a Senior and youngest daughter, Caroline, is a Freshman at Burleson High School.

Nelda Stucks
2006 Athena

Nelda Stucks is President of L&S Construction, Inc., an underground utility company in Fort Worth, and Co-Owner of Texas Eco Services, Inc., an environmental clean-up company, also located in Fort Worth.  Being in business since l984, she has strived to be an example, mentor and good role model to all women. She believes that everyone should have an opportunity to make the best of themselves in their career and education.

Nelda was raised in Odessa, Texas where she met and married her best friend and soul mate, Mark. She and her family moved to Burleson in l986. They have three daughters, Sharena, Kandace and Mandi, all who currently reside in Burleson. Sharena and her husband, Matt Wilkins, have four daughters, Maloree, Kallee, Regan and Mattee. Kandace and her husband, Austin Wade, have one daughter, Lexee. Their youngest daughter, Mandi, is a Senior at TCU. All three daughters are graduates of Burleson High School which kept her involved in many organizations such as: debate; cheerleading; soccer; FFA; and Project Celebration, which funds scholarships for graduating Seniors.

Nelda and Mark have been involved in and support many different facets of the community in their volunteer and fundraising efforts. She is a member of the Burleson Chamber of Commerce, is the Treasurer of the Making It Happen for Kids Education Foundation and she supports many other organizations such as: Johnson County Child Advocacy.  She is now actively involved with the Athena Society of Burleson after being the recipient of the 2006 Award.

Sharon Robinson
2007 Athena

Sharon Robinson – Insurance has become a way of life for Sharon after 30 years.  She came to Burleson in 1999 to become a State Farm agent via claims handling experience and a stint at State Farm’s Corporate Headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois.  Her varied experiences within State Farm allow her to appreciate her work and value, more than ever, the company she represents.

She surrounds her self with caring, talented people who are very good at the job they are trained and licensed to do.  As a team, they have built an award winning State Farm Agency, with the most revered award being Chairman’s Circle, earned by the top 5% of the State Farm agents in the nation.  She has earned 3 designations during her tenure with State Farm – CPCU, CLU and CASL.

Sharon is the proud mom of two beautiful daughters, Brandi and Suzanne.  She is also the proud “GiGi” of one absolutely gorgeous grandson, Riley.

The Athena Award was given to Sharon in 2007 for mentoring women in the work place and her involvement with and support of  Johnson County Community Partners, Burleson Pregnancy Aid Center and Relay for Life. 

Her State Farm office recently moved to 124 NW Newton, right next door to Beefers.  They are very proud of their new location, as it seems to validate the level of service they feel their customers deserve.  Give them a call at 817-295-2000 or go by and have a cup of coffee. They would love to give you a tour of their new facility.