Your Church - Our Staff

	Our Staff

A lifelong Presbyterian, Becky was born in Metairie, Louisiana, and moved to Spring, Texas at the age of six with her parents and her sister Annie. She grew up in Spring and graduated in the first graduating class of Klein Oak High School. After four years in Pennsylvania, Becky graduated from Haverford College and was ready to get back to Texas. She spent a year working at Mo-Ranch in the Environmental Leadership Program and it was there that she discerned a call to go to seminary.

On her second day at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, she met her future husband Mark Downs. Mark had finished his first year in seminary already so of course he “knew everything she needed to know”. Three years later they were married at Mark’s home church near St. Louis, Missouri. Mark was ordained soon after their wedding, and Becky was ordained in 2001 after serving churches in other positions. Becky and Mark have served as pastors, interims, supply preachers, educators, guest speakers, etc. in numerous churches in South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.

Becky and Mark and their two children, Lizzie and Sam, share their home with Becky’s mom, Donna Ardell, as well as a flock of pets. They are blessed to live close to Becky’s dad and stepmom, Bob and Lee Ardell, as well as her sister Annie and Annie’s two children, Nic and Shelby.

Director Of Music / Organist

Suzanne comes from a music-minded family, having been involved in music from her very early years. After childhood music lessons, Suzanne became an organist at 17 years of age. She has a BMus, Phi Beta Kappa, and a MMus from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. In addition to performing, Suzanne serves on the executive boards of the Houston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church of Houston. She is also a trained Hospice of Houston volunteer and a Life Member of The Hymn Society of America.

Suzanne has been married to Mark since 1974. They have lived in New Mexico, Wyoming, and Dubai, U.A.E. prior to moving to Houston in 1989. In her spare time, she enjoys water walking, bicycling, reading and travelling.

Colette Edwards, Office Manager

Colette is originally from Union Lake, Michigan she moved to Texas, May of 1981. She has been married to Kevin since 1982 and they have two sons Matthew and Steven. Colette attended North Harris Montgomery Community College studying business and computers. She has been a member of Kinsmen Lutheran Church since 1988 and she attends the Thursday night Ladies Bible Study, and serving as the Acolyte coordinator. In her spare time, she enjoys attending reading, and having quality time with her family.

Mary Linda Williams, Director of Children's Music

Mary Linda was born and raised in La Porte, Texas, where her high school piano teacher and church pianist led her toward church music. During college she served as a summer music missionary in Washington and Oregon.

After graduating from Mary Hardin-Baylor College in Belton, with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, Mary Linda taught elementary school music in Friendswood and Spring Branch and served as church pianist for First Baptist Church, League City. She has also taught private piano lessons and early childhood music classes in her home. When her children were young, she did volunteer work with the children's music program at her church, St. Philip Presbyterian, directing the music education part of the Choir School, children's handbells, and the pre-school choir. She has also been a clinician for early childhood music for teacher conferences.

In addition to her responsibilities at John Knox, Mary Linda is currently teaching music at The Oaks-at-Briargrove Pre-school. Mary Linda and her husband Paxton, have been married for over 30 years. They have a daughter and son-in-law, Hallie and David Spence and a son, Winfield. Mary Linda and Paxton enjoy visiting the Texas hill country, antiquing, entertaining friends in their home, and whenever possible, listening to Winfield's band and Hallie's children's choir!

Ann Sullivan, Piano Accompanist

Maria Estrada, Child Care Provider

Yesina Gomez, Child Care Provider