about us

Our journey with the family of Westwood began with our move from Nashville in 2014 and we have enjoyed worshipping with the Saints at this Church home ever since. We moved to Warren County with my employment as the Economic Development Director and currently my duties are Bank Development Officer for Citizens Tri-County Bank.  Kaneal was previously Director of Teacher Evaluation for the State of Tennessee and currently is an Adjunct Professor for Carson-Newman University.

Don is an active member of several organizations including President-elect of the McMinnville Rotary Club. Kaneal is Board Chairman of CASA Works, Pregnancy Care Center and a member of Kiwanis.

Kaneal and I grew up two streets from each other and have been married since 1982. We have a son, daughter-in-Law and grandson living in Jonesborough, Tennessee and a daughter, son-in-Law, granddaughter and grandson all living in Richmond Hill outside of Savannah, Georgia.

We enjoy having a home just off of Red Road along the Collins River.

My responsibility as Shepherd has just begun in January of this year and we look forward to continued spiritual growth with the Westwood family.

Jerry Blankenship and his wife, Beth, live in the Centertown Community and own Blankenship Farms and Nursery. They have been married since 1993 and love spending time with their children, Katie Beth Stanfield (husband Ethan), Emilie, and William. 

The Blankenship Family has attended Westwood since 1996 and Jerry served as a deacon prior to becoming an elder in 2022. Jerry enjoys being crew chief of his son’s racing team and visiting national parks with his family.

Mark and his wife Kelly joined Westwood in 2022. Married since 1992, they are blessed with four children—Hannah (Sam) Luthi, Mark F. Clifton III, Celeste Clifton, and Layla (Nick) Roberson—and one granddaughter, Morwyn Luthi. After retiring from 25 years’ service in the U.S. Army in 2016, Mark and Kelly relocated to the McMinnville area in 2022, building their home on family land in the Wayside community. Mark has faithfully served in congregations as a song leader, small group leader, Bible class teacher, and former deacon

Born September 23, 1950 to Lorena Hitchcock and Joe G. Cox in McMinnville, TN. Graduated from McMinnville City High School in 1968 and
MTSU in 1973 with a degree in Accounting. Retired from McMinnville Electric System in 2017 after 44 years as Assistant Manager/Director of Finance. He served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher at Central Church of Christ before placing membership at Westwood in 2016. Married Norma Jo Phillips Cox on October 29, 2016. Neal has a son, Kyle Cox and wife Brandy…three grandchildren, Byron, Katelyn & Ean of McMinnville.
Two Step-sons, Greg King & wife Helen of Arlington Heights, IL and Phillip King & wife Ashley of Tullahoma. Six Step-grandchildren…Megan & Mallory King of Arlington Heights, IL and Grant, Jackson, Ryan & Connor King of Tullahoma.
He is a Past President and current member of McMinnville Breakfast Rotary, where he has been chairman for 15 years of the annual River Clean-up, Vice President of Habitat for Humanity, Past board member for CHEER Mental Health and is active in both Special Games and the Horsin’ Around programs that
benefit individual with special needs.
Neal & Norma are retired and live on an 80 acre horse farm. They enjoy riding horses, fishing, all sports especially Warren County Pioneer baseball, Titans’ and UT football, boating & traveling.

Jason & Renee Cripps have been worshipping at Westwood for over 25 years. They have two children, a son, Alex, and daughter Allison Walker, married to Justin. Both are serving in the Air Force with the TN Air National Guard and currently live in East TN. Jason served previously as a Westwood Deacon and was a custodian at the church for four years during high school. Jason served as a pilot in the Air National Guard for more than 33 years retiring as Brigadier General in 2018. He also flew internationally with American Airlines for 28 years retiring there in 2018 as well. Jason has also operated a roofing business since 1978, which he and Renee continue today. Jason and Renee enjoy the congregation at Westwood and being involved in the local community. They especially enjoy time with their children. Jason is still flying privately, mostly within a few hours of home .

Tim Deason was born on November 18, 1964. Tim and his wife, Beth were married in 1984. Tim has worked for Dr. Pepper for over 30 years. Tim's wife, Beth has worked with special
needs children for over 25 years. Tim and Beth have three children. Cody and his wife, Sumner
have been in ministry for several years and live in McMinnville. They have a son, Levi and a daughter, Annie. Tim and Beth's daughter, Kara and her husband, Nathan along with their daughter, Olivia currently live in Knoxville. Another daughter, Kenzi, lives in Chattanooga. Tim and Beth began worshiping at Westwood in 1998 and Tim served as a deacon for 18 years before being appointed as a shepherd on February 26, 2017. Tim's shepherd's quote: The shepherd and flock relationship eloquently implies at least three qualities of spiritual leadership: availability, commitment and trust.

Jeff McKinley and his family have been worshiping at Westwood since 2010 and Jeff has been serving as an elder since 2014.  “Dr. Jeff” is a doctor of chiropractic and has been practicing in McMinnville since 1990.  He is a song leader, Bible class teacher, and lectures nationally to doctors on spinal biomechanics. He and Lynette married in 1987 and are the proud parents of four girls: Kathryn, Laura Beth, Caroline and Abigail. They are also the proud grandparents of Helen and John.

Glenn and his wife Vickie have been members of the Westwood church since 2009. He served
as a deacon from 2011, until 2017, upon being appointed as an elder in February 2017. He
served until August, 2021. He was reappointed to serve the church as an elder in June, 2022.
Glenn and Vickie consider themselves to be tremendously blessed to be part of the Westwood church family. They have two children, Jane Ann (Tim) Bryant of McMinnville and Phil (Callie) Hitchcock of Murfreesboro. They are also the proud grandparents of six grandchildren.