about us

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.

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.

Graduated with a BS from Lipscomb in 1977 and UT with a JD in 1979. Married Amy Puckett in 1984. Have two sons who served as officers in the US Army. Two grandchildren who live in Idaho. Served as a deacon at theSmithville and Woodbury congregations, and as an elder at Woodbury and Central. Board member of Short Mountain Bible Camp.Semi-retired as V. P. and General Counsel at Middle Tennessee Natural Gas. Former municipal judge and county attorney. Current private pilot and LTC in the Tennessee State Guard. Appreciates the wonder of God’s creation.

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 are currently church planting in Knoxville. They have a son, Levi. Tim and Beth's daughter, Kara and her husband, Nathan along with their daughter, Olivia currently live in Knoxville.   Another daughter, Kenzi is a student at UT Chattanooga. Her goal is to be an ultrasound tech following graduation. 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.

Roy Neil Helton, Jr. (Neil) was born to Roy and Kay Helton on May 19, 1967, and grew up in Smyrna, Tennessee. In 1993 he married Deborah Sloane Helton (Debbie). Neil has been a State Farm agent in McMinnville since April 2004. Debbie is assistant director of Hamilton Street Activity Center and the volunteer coordinator for Warren County's developing CASA program. 

Neil and Debbie have two children: Madison Helton of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Brooks Helton, student at Trevecca University in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Neil was baptized into Christ at LaVergne Church of Christ in March 1979. Debbie and Neil started attending Westwood Church of Christ in April 2004. Neil has previously served Westwood as a deacon and as a teacher. 

Neil enjoys fly fishing, duck hunting, and spending time teaching life lessons through baseball. His favorite activities are those he spends with his family, especially Madison and Brooks. 

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 one granddaughter, Helen.

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 five grandchildren.

Jimmy Priestley and his wife Teresa have been members at Westwood since 1975. Jimmy has
served as an Elder since 2003. They have seen many new ministries and much growth in the
congregation. Both are active in many areas of the work of the church. They love the Westwood
family.