Staff
Helen Faircloth – Church Secretary
Helen Faircloth is married to Richard Faircloth. She is a graduate of 71st High School and started as the Secretary of Highland Baptist Church in 2008. She is a member of Green Springs Baptist Church. She enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, genealogical research, and crafts in her spare time.
Al Palmer – Groundskeeper
I was born in upper New York State and grew up in Connecticut. Growing up, I went to a Congressional Church where I was saved. I served four years in the Air Force working as a plane mechanic. After that, I worked as a mechanic in a service station and tire store; then, I worked at Kelly Springfield as a forklift mechanic until I retired in 2005. In late 1980, I began taking care of Highland Baptist Church as the part-time groundskeeper and equipment repairman. It is my great honor to also volunteer at Highland Baptist Church as a food closet coordinator and handyman around the church. Sue and I were married in 1985, and we have three grown children.
Robyn Massey – Custodian
I was born and raised in Hope Mills and became the building custodian in 2013. I enjoy my work. I am married with one child. I’m a member of Southview Baptist Church. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, and traveling when I get the chance.
Preschool
Welcome to Highland Baptist Church Preschool. We are so excited to have your little ones with us. Below you will find a little about each of our teachers. We are an incredibly open preschool, so any of the teachers may be around your child, so we want you to get to know everyone!
Administration
DeDe Mabe – Preschool Director/Teacher
My name is Dede Mabe, and I am the Director at Highland Baptist Church Preschool and an active member of Highland Baptist Church since 1995. I worked as a mental health case manager/social worker for 21 years. The last 12 years of my career before retirement was with the NC Department of Health & Human Services as a Facility Service Regulator with Mental Health Licensure and Certification. I have two grown children, Billy and Aaron Mabe. Aaron and his wife, Cathleen, blessed me with two wonderful grandchildren, Maddy and Isaac. I work closely with all the teachers and staff at the church to ensure the safety and well-being of each child. It is a joy to be a part of this team!
Samantha Helt – Preschool Assistant Director/Teacher
Samantha Helt is currently the Assistant Director at Highland Baptist Preschool. She has been a positive, supportive presence at the preschool since the beginning. Before becoming Assistant Director, she was an amazing teacher and taught the 2, 3, and 4-year-old classrooms. Samantha attends Crosspointe Church in Fayetteville. She has her associate’s degree in early childhood education and has been working with children for 15 years. Samantha is married to her husband of 7 years and has three children, Kaitlyn, Titus, and Chase.
Teachers
Jessica Angeron – Teacher
Hi! My name is Jessica Angeron, and I am originally from Columbia, NC. I worked in a daycare center from 2004-2011. While I was mainly in the nursery with babies from age 4 weeks to 12 months, I occasionally worked summers in the rooms with toddler–3–year–olds. I moved to Hope Mills in 2011, where I was a stay-at-home mom until 2020, when I joined the HBC Preschool team. I am excited to return for another school year!
Shelby Autry – Teacher
Hey y’all! My name is Shelby Autry, I’m from Hope Mills, and I currently attend Southview Baptist. This will be my 2nd year at Highland. I will be one of the lead Pre-K teachers! I enjoy being able to teach and helping kids learn about the world. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends or reading. I can’t wait for the school year to start!
Soretta Browne – Teacher
My name is Soretta Browne. I am from a small two-island federation, St. Kitts and Nevis. I am the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters. A proud grandmother of four, two grandsons and two granddaughters. I have taught in the public school system for over 27 years. I am a born-again believer who loves to praise the Lord. I have worked with children all my life, from babies to young adults. I love to have fun and take pictures. I have always taken part in children-based activities at church, at school, and within the community. I do believe my strength is to serve. So, I will make myself available to be of service, building and meeting each child where they are at and helping them to get to where they need to be. I wish to positively impact their lives and watch them grow.
Jessie Ellis – Teacher
Hi! My name is Jessie Ellis. I was born and raised in Nebraska and made North Carolina my home in 2010. I’m married and a proud mom to three amazing kids—a 14-year-old daughter, an 8-year-old son, and a 5-year-old daughter who keep life full of fun and adventure! I attend Breezewood Church and love being part of such a supportive and faith-filled community. I started working at Highland in February as a floater in the 3’s classrooms and absolutely loved every minute. I’m SO excited to begin my first full school year and can’t wait to experience all the learning, growing, and joyful moments ahead!
Courtney Jackson – Teacher
My name is Courtney Jackson! Born and raised right here in Hope Mills, NC! Married since 2016 and blessed with 3 beautiful daughters, Natalia, Everly, & Hazelyn. My family and I are members at Breezewood Church, where I also serve in the toddlers ministry! Everly is a Highland Preschool Graduate and Hazelyn and I are so excited to return for a third year! After 2 years of being a 3’s Teacher assistant, I am so excited to be leading my very own classroom this upcoming school year in the two’s! Teaching children has always been a passion of mine. I have worked with children of all ages as a Dance Instructor for over 15 years, and still do that part-time as well. I’m so excited for another year at Highland Preschool and can’t wait to teach your littles!
Devinne Jackson – Teacher
Hello, my name is Devinne Jackson, and I am a Hope Mills native. I am married with two handsome boys, ages 15 and 11. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching my oldest son play football and basketball, and my youngest with his many science experiments! I am very excited to start my 2nd year at Highland being a Lead Two-year-old teacher.
Nicole Kim – Teacher
My name is Nicole Kim, and I am a 3-year-old classroom teacher. This year will be my fifth year teaching at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I am currently enrolled at Fayetteville Technical Community College to become an Occupational Therapist Assistant for children. I am married to my husband of eight years, and we have an amazing 8-year-old who keeps us busy! Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church is our second home! In my free time, you can find me tending to my plants or playing computer games! I look forward to being a part of your child’s success here at the preschool.
Taylor Locklear – Teacher
Hello, my name is Taylore Locklear. This is my first full year floating within the 3’s at HBCP. I am a mom of two girls, and have been married to my husband for 5 years. During my free time, I love to have boat days at the beach and read. I can’t wait to help your littles grow!
Caroline McGee – Teacher
Hey, y’all! My name is Caroline McGee, and I’m from Mississippi. I married my high school sweetheart, and we have 2-year-old twins, Raiden and Ellie, and are expecting another little girl this February. My family and I regularly attend Crosspointe Church. I feel God is calling me towards teaching and mentoring today’s youth, so I am super excited for another year of teaching at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I can’t wait to meet your littles and learn and grow together!
Katie Meloling – Teacher
Hi, my name is Katie Meloling, I’m originally from San Jose, CA, but have lived in NC since 2009. I have been working with kids on and off since I was a teenager. This will be my first year officially working at Highland Baptist Church Preschool; however, last year I was a substitute teacher. I’m very excited to be the lead teacher for the 1s class. I’m married and we have three boys together, ages 11, 7, and 5. The two younger boys also went to preschool here in the past.
Lillian Noel – Teacher
Hi, I am Lillian Noel! I am from Athens, Alabama, and currently live in Fayetteville. I have been married to my husband, Brandon, for 11 years, and we have two children, John Patton and Molly. They both attended preschool here and currently attend school in Cumberland County. My father is a pastor in Alabama, so I grew up in church my entire life. This is my sixth year working at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I started as a floater in the 2s, then a lead teacher in the 2s, and finally ended up working with the 3s! This is my fourth year as a three-year-old lead teacher, and I can’t wait to learn and grow with your kids. I am so excited to see everyone’s smiling faces this year!
Kealee Richardson – Teacher
Hello, my name is Kealee Richardson. I am from Grays Creek, where I met my high school sweetheart of nine years and have a precious little boy named Axell. I have been around kids of all ages and show so much love to all of them, like they are my own. I am excited to start my first year at Highland Baptist Preschool in the one-year-old class.
Jennifer Seamans – Teacher
My name is Jenn Seamans! I’m originally from Texas and hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I gave my life to Jesus in high school, and in 2024, I was re-baptized as a reflection of the deep renewal and healing God has been doing in my life. My faith is the foundation of who I am, and I strive to let His love shine in all I do. I began my journey at Highland Baptist Preschool as a parent volunteer during the 2017–2018 school year and stepped into the classroom as a Pre-K teacher in 2018–2019. This year marks my 6th year teaching Pre-K, and I truly love what I do! My husband recently retired from the Army, and we’ve made this community our home. He now homeschools our 9-year-old son, and our daughter—an alumna of Texas A&M, Class of 2023—is a 4th-grade teacher in Dallas. We’re a family who values both faith and education deeply. I also serve with our church’s youth group, and my husband is on staff at Crosspointe Church. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside families during these important early years.