The Reverend Dr. Larry A. Blakeburn
Pastor
Larry was born in Muskogee, OK, but grew up in a mobile environment as his father prepared for and participated in full-time ministry. He has lived in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee. Tennessee is the area in which he has lived the longest.
He graduated from Greeneville High School, Bethel University, and later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary. Additionally, he was the first recipient of a Doctor of Ministry degree from MTS.
Larry joined the Marine Corps in 1968, and served in Vietnam in 1969, where he was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Pastor Blakeburn has 44 years of pastoral experience. He has served five churches: Bolivar CP Church, Bolivar, TN, St. Luke CP Church in Ft. Worth, TX, West Nashville CP Church, Dyersburg First CP Church, and First CP Church of Oak Ridge. Dr. Blakeburn was President of Memphis Theological Seminary from 1997 to 2001. He was Moderator of the 193rd General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church from June 2024 to June 2025.
Larry has three children, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Amy Byrd
Music Director
Amy is a native of New York, where she attended
the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. After moving to Tennessee she spent the last 8 years as an orchestra teacher in the Oak Ridge City School system. Amy regularly performs on piano, voice, violin and viola with groups like the Oak Ridge Symphony, Marble City Opera and Oak Ridge Playhouse. When not playing music Amy can be found reading a book, baking, or spending time with her family.
Tracy Dunlap
Administrative Assistant
Tracy Dunlap, a native of Western New York, has spent the majority of her life in East Tennessee. She pursued her education in Administrative Professional Technology at Cleveland State. Tracy and her husband are proud parents of two sons.
Barbara Spence
Organist
Barbara was born in Wickliffe, KY and attended Murray State University, the University of North Carolina and the University of Tennessee. She retired from Cardiology Associates of East Tennessee in 1997 as Physician Coordinator. She has two sons, a daughter, and 5 grandchildren. Her hobbies are music and crafts.
Rachelle Hall
Piano Accompanist
Rachelle is a native of Knoxville, TN and is a graduate of Carson Newman University. She is a full-time piano and voice teacher and also performs regularly as an accompanist around the Knoxville area. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, thrifting and traveling.
Youth Ministry Leaders
AMELIA SHELTON
Amelia is a lifelong member of Oak Ridge First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She has been working with the children of the church as well as in presbytery since she began high school. She is currently a senior at Maryville College where she is majoring in Religious Studies.
DUNCAN SHELTON
Duncan is a lifelong Cumberland Presbyterian and a lifelong member of this church. He currently works with his father in the family business. Duncan strives to work with youth and young adults in the church.
