Meet the Staff
Administrative Assistant - Suzie Miller
Suzie was born and raised in California and has worked as our Administrative Assistant for over 10 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from California State University Bakersfield. She and her husband, Grant, have three grown children and eight grandchildren - four granddaughters, and four grandsons.
Children’s Ministry Director - Jamie Dennis
Jamie Dennis was born and raised in Irving, Texas and has spent the last 15 years in the Lake Cities area. Jamie worked as an elementary school secretary for 10 years for Denton ISD until she switched gears in 2024 to teach art at Shady Shores Elementary!
The art room is a safe haven for many students as well as a creative and bright space for learning. Jamie has a passion for building relationships with students and their families and is known as the “school mom” to many.
Jamie holds an Associate’s Degree in Arts and Science from Dallas College, celebrates 22 years of marriage to her high-school sweetheart, Roger, in October and is the mom of 3 fantastic teenagers: Alexis, Lily and Roger.
Jamie is excited to lead, teach, learn and grow in Christ with our youngest disciples.
Preschool Director - Abby Allison
Abby is a proud North Texas native, married for over 20 years, and mom of two. She joined Footprints Preschool in 2014 as the assistant director and has been serving as the school's director since 2022.
With a Business degree from UNT and a director’s certification from the University of Alaska, Abby brings strong leadership and a deep love for early childhood education to the Footprints family.
She treasures her daily interactions with kids—especially the funny, heartwarming things they say and do. While she once dreamed of fostering children, working in a preschool has become the next best way to make a lasting impact.
Footprints Assistant Director - Betty Hilliard
Betty is a dedicated early childhood educator with over 20 years of experience. She’s been part of the Footprints Preschool family since 2013—starting as a Pre-K teacher, later supporting as a floater, and now serving as the assistant director since 2022.
Originally from Texas, Betty spent part of her childhood in New Hampshire before returning to Texas to earn her Communications degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. She’s passionate about helping young children build a strong foundation for learning and growth.
Betty and her husband have been married for 26 years and have two boys.
Traditional Music Director - Rachael Olivares
Rachael Olivares is originally from Northern Ireland and has lived in the DFW area from 2016. She graduated with a Masters Degree in Music and Vocal Performance from UNT in 2019. Rachael was the section leader at the Lake Cities UMC Choir for two years during her time as a graduate student. She loves the community at Lake Cities and is honored to now serve as Director of Traditional Music Ministries, growing and expanding the rich culture of music in the church for the glory of God.
Pianist - Soohyun Suh
Lay Minister - Virgil Aldag
Virgil serves as Lay Servant at Lake Cities UMC.
Virg is a ‘follower of Jesus Christ’, a husband, brother, father, and grandfather. He became a ‘follower’ 34 years ago at First United Methodist Church – Euless.
He became a Lay Servant at Lake Cities United Methodist Church over 20 years ago and has progressed to become a ‘Certified’ Lay Minister, now assigned to Lake Cities United Methodist Church.
Pastor Emeritus - John Peel
Patricia Nelson - Lay Servant
Patricia and her family have been members of LCUMC since 1975. Since then, she has sung in the chancel choir, assisted with the youth group, and been an active member of the UMW. She has also served two different times on our Footprints Preschool board, and as interim music director on several occasions.
Serving our Lord has always been a priority in her life. Several years ago, she heard about the Lay Speaking Ministry and saw it as an extension of Wesley’s purpose to assist in reaching those members in need and beyond our church out into our community. For several years, she has brought the service to Autumn Oaks Retirement Community, and has served as a delegate-at-large for the North Texas Conference.
Lay Servant - Susan Anderson
Susan serves as Lay Servant at LCUMC.
Susan became a Certified Lay Speaker in May of 2006 when she took her first advanced course, and she has never looked back. She has taken and/or facilitated approximately 14 different LSM courses, and is also an accredited teacher of LSM courses in the North Texas Conference. General conference of 2016 officially changed the name to Lay Servant Ministries, a name that better described the program.
Susan recommends LSM to anyone desiring to become a better servant in the church and to be better equipped “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”. For the latest information on Lay Speaking Ministries, go to https://ntcumc.org/lay-servant-ministries.