Rev. Annette Eckerd Goard, Pastor
The Rev. Annette Eckerd Goard was ordained and installed as the pastor of Clarksville Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 23, 2018. She was born and raised in Mocksville, NC where she was baptized, confirmed, and married at First Presbyterian Church. Annette and her husband moved to New York City in the late 1970s and then to Old Greenwich, CT, where they raised their two sons, John and James.
Annette was widowed in 2006 and, after some time, entered Duke Divinity School, graduating magna cum laude with a Master of Divinity Degree in 2016. She then completed a year of chaplain residency at UNC Hospital.
Annette describes herself as a naturally hopeful person. She appreciates the simple joys of everyday life and believes in the goodness of all people. Annette has said, “I love people and want to be known as a kind and caring person who loves the Lord with all my heart and soul and mind and strength . . and my neighbor as myself.”
Carol J. Henderson, Minister of Music
Carol J. Henderson, Minister of Music at Clarksville Presbyterian Church and the Director of the Southside Virginia Community College Chorus, was born into the fourth generation of makers and restorers of fine stringed instruments (Carl Becker and Son) in Chicago, IL. Everyone in her family enjoyed making music together. Her life was filled with chamber music and choral singing. Carol began her life-long musical journey with formal piano studies at the age of four. She studied Piano Performance at Northern Illinois University and continued her studies in organ and choral conducting at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ where she received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Sacred Music. Carol taught piano in her private studio for over 40 years and held various church music positions as organist/director. She is an experienced accompanist and recitalist on piano and organ and has held leadership positions in professional music and church organizations.
In June 2000, Carol and her husband, Richard, moved to their 32-acre “Hobby Farm” in Buffalo Junction. Rich loves to play with his model trains and Carol enjoys painting. She is the former founder and artistic director of the Lake Country Chorale, Inc. in Clarksville (2001-2015). Richard is a retired corporate executive and is now a second-career Presbyterian minister. Their boys J. R., Bill and David, live in Clarksville, Des Plaines, IL, and White Plains, NY; and one married daughter and two grandchildren live in Denmark. Rich and Carol are avid world travelers and enjoy exploring world destinations. Carol loves Southside Virginia, its friendly people, its scenic countryside and its comfortable atmosphere.
Cat Graham, Church Secretary
Cat Graham serves as our Church Secretary and provides assistance to the vulnerable population in our local community. "I feel fortunate and blessed to have found this church family. It's a beautiful church, and the congregation is amazing." Cat was born in Pennsylvania and has enjoyed a career helping people impacted by disaster. She moved to Boydton ten years ago to be closer to family and continues her passion for supporting communities and improving the delivery of aid. She lives in Boydton, enjoys woodworking and the joy of forever chasing her errant rescue dog Tucker.