Drew graduated from Pepperell High School in 1997. He is married to Dawn Cole Taylor and has 2 sons Tyler & Drake. He enjoys sports and spending time with friends and family in his free time. Drew found a passion for helping adults with disabilities through volunteering with Skills for Life and working part-time at … Read More
A native of Rome. Graduated East Rome High 1967. Georgia Institute of Technology, Textile Management 1971. Served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Married to Suzanne Barnett Schroeder and father to Three Children Christian, Cory, Caleigh. Served on Board of Directors of Parent to Parent of Ga. including terms as Treasurer and President. Served … Read More
Barbara is a mother of two sons with speech/language problems. Due to their disabilities, Barbara returned to school and earned her degree in Speech-Language Pathology and CCC. She worked in the field for 25 years serving students in a variety of school-based settings. Her one son, Tom, cannot live independently and she is concerned about … Read More
Pat is a local genealogist and cemeterian. She has been researching her and her late husband’s families for over 35 years. She is a member of the DAR and UDC. Pat is the widow of Ronald Millican, to whom she was married for 31 years. They are the parents of Justin & Patrick Millican. Her … Read More
Jean is a retired teacher of 32 years from Pepperell High School. She is married to a wonderful husband of 43 years with two wonderful sons and a grandson. Jean has served with Habitat for Humanity during the years 1988-90. She has also served in many other areas in her community including a co-president of … Read More
Linda was raised in South Carolina. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Psychology. She’s married to her husband CQ Blackwell and they have three lovely daughters. Their oldest daughter has a developmental disability. It was discovered when she was 7 months old that she had bilateral schizencephaly, which meant … Read More
Alexandria is a Rome native, graduating from Model in 2012 and attending UGA for college, where she obtained a degree in Finance. After graduating, Alexandria quickly realized that she missed working with children and was able to transition into a job in education, where she found her calling. Alexandria is currently a Special Education Teacher … Read More
John Fricks is a dedicated educator and director with Rome City Schools, bringing over a decade of experience in the field of education. Originally from Fyffe, AL, he pursued his passion for teaching after graduating from Shorter University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, specializing in Secondary Mathematics and holding a minor in … Read More
Linda is a founding member of DIGS. She has worked in the field of Special Education for 32 years. Eighteen of those years were in Floyd County as a special education teacher and administrator. She is currently working for the Georgia Department of Education. Linda and her husband Carlos have been married for 33 years … Read More
Harley Gambrell was born, raised, and continues to reside in Silver Creek, Georgia with his wife and three children. His educational history includes Pepperell High School, Floyd College, and Berry College and he is nearing the completion of his master’s degree at Harvard University. Harley has been involved in multiple businesses within the Rome / … Read More
Laura is a DIGS, Inc. founding member. She has had a variety of interesting occupations to include small business owners, bridal consultants, and activity directors for assisted living. Laura has been active with DIGS because of her grandson Justin. She is glad he has activities to do and is hopeful he will one day have … Read More
Julian Mark “Pop” Harrison is a retired U. S. Navy veteran. Mark or “Pop” as he is known in the community as president of Harrison & Sons dba as Happy Day Chrysler-Plymouth, Coosa Motor Co. dba National Car Rentals, and Julian Harrison Finance. He also presided as Vice President of Julian Harrison Ford. Pop is … Read More
Joy is a life-long resident of Floyd County. She worked as a nurse for 36 years and was the director of Heyman HospiceCare at Floyd Hospital. Joy also contributes her time in the community as volunteer for America Cancer Society and on the Board of Directors of Network day Services, Inc. She has 2 daughters, … Read More
Kelly is a native of Chattooga County and graduated from Tron High School in 1995. She graduated from Shorter College with her BSBA. She also graduated from GNTC as a Master Cosmetologist. She is a classically trained pianist and also studied piano while at Shorter. Kelly loves all things hair and makeup, crafting, shopping, and … Read More
Kimberly has been involved in special education for some 19+ years. Because of her own daughter’s life journey of living with deaf autism, Kimberly has stepped up to become an activist for deaf and hard of hearing citizens and other individuals living with developmental disabilities. Because of her strong will in making a difference in … Read More
I graduated from Lake Forest College in 2019 after 4 years of playing basketball and studying business and entrepreneurship, with a focus in marketing. My experience working with adults with autism began when my basketball team at Lake Forest volunteered for the annual Special Olympics our school hosted. After graduation, I moved to Atlanta and … Read More
Mary was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She attended Atlanta Public schools and Graduated from Reinhardt Junior College with an AA degree in 1974. Mary is married to S. Stephen Patton. Mary’s past experience has been working with the Cerebral Palsy Center, which is now known as Network Day Services and has managed an in-home daycare … Read More
Lamar was born and raised in Plains, GA. In 1969, he moved to Rome with his wife, Barbara, and their five children. He helped in the construction of many power plants in GA, TN, and Alabama and was a member of the Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 766 of Rome, now local 72 of Atlanta. He … Read More
Suzanne retired from Delta Air Lines after working for more than 32 years as a flight attendant. She is married to Charlie Schroeder and they have three children Christian, Cory, and Caleigh and three grandchildren.
Mary is a retired school administrator. She was a special education teacher before becoming an administrator. Mary became involved with DIGS because of her sweet son, Noah. She had no idea of all the blessings she and Noah would receive from being part of the DIGS family. As Mary and Noah constantly participate in fundraising … Read More
A Cartersville native, a graduate of Woodland High School in 2015, and a graduate of Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School. She was a part of the Rome Braves Brigade starting in 2015. Working there, along with the Challenger Brigade team, is where her passion for serving the community began. She enjoys her career, spending time with … Read More
