SEJ Officers

Sue grew up Presbyterian but was predestined to be a Methodist. She attended Winthrop University, receiving her degree in Physical Education and Health, and Converse University, receiving her MEd in Social Sciences. During those 29 years teaching PE and Health in the same junior high, Sue discovered a world outside of the classroom, the world of United Methodist Women. This group of women showed this introverted young lady that she had something to offer an organization that would nurture her and brings her out of her shell. They saw something in her that she did not see in herself. Because of these ladies, Sue has served on the local, district, conference, regional, and national levels of United Methodist Women. She is also a Certified Lay Servant. Her challenge to each of us is to look for those who have gifts and talents but may not have the self-image to allow them to share those gifts with others. The results may surprise a lot of folks—including that gifted individual.

Kay is originally from Miami, Florida and has lived in the Quincy and Tallahassee areas for more than 40 years. 

Kay was raised in the Methodist faith all her life and she currently serves as the church secretary at Centenary United Methodist Church. She says she has been blessed to hold this position for the past 15 years. 

Ms. Roach has been involved with United Methodist Women for more than 30 years and has served as the North West District’s President as well as other numerous positions. On the Conference level, Kay has served as Membership, Nurture & Outreach Coordinator, Vice President and most recently, President for the United Methodist Women Florida Conference.

In October 2020, Kay was elected as Vice President for the South Eastern Jurisdiction United Methodist Women. 

Kay proudly states, “United Methodist Women are committed to serving children and youth with Faith, Hope, Love in Action.”

Hazel Hall is a member of the North Carolina Conference United Methodist Women where she has served as the conference secretary, a district president and numerous other positions in her local unit.

She is an adult Sunday School teacher and children’s church leader in her local church.

Hazel serves on the Board of Directors of the newest designated UMW National Mission Institution,

Partners in Ministry located in Laurinburg, North Carolina. She also serves as the co-chairperson of the Capital Campaign Committee to build a new 21,000 square feet Community Building on the Partners in

Ministry campus.

Married to her high school sweetheart of 50+ years, she and her husband were blessed with a son and a  daughter. They have 5 wonderful grandchildren.

Her hobbies are traveling, spending time with the grandchildren, reading, and being outdoors – hiking,kayaking, and paddle boarding.

She and her husband own a heating and air conditioning company.

Tryphenia Sumter Speed is a native of Sumter, South Carolina, a graduate of Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC. The Social Security Administration employed her from 1965 until she retired in 2003, where she held numerous technical and managerial positions. 

Tryphenia, a lifetime Methodist, is an active member of Cascade UMC, Atlanta, GA- North Georgia Conference. As a United Methodist Women, she has served in several leadership roles in her local unit and the district as the social action coordinator and district president. Tryphenia served as spiritual growth coordinator, vice president, and president of the North Georgia Conference UMW. 

Tryphenia has served on the Board of Directors for two National Mission Institution, Wesley Community Centers and Murphy Harpst Children Center. She is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of Claflin University International Alumni Association, Church Women United Atlanta, Inc, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 

She enjoys reading, walking, watching basketball, football, and gardening.  

Barbara was born and raised in Gallatin, Tennessee -just north of Nashville.  Raised in a Methodist Family, she grew up through the Church Sunday School; MYF; Summer Camp; Youth Conferences, and all related church activities.

She received primary education in her hometown and secondary education at Tennessee A & I State University. After marriage, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee where the family lived until because of her husband’s employment, they relocated to Evans, Georgia and then to Mobile, Alabama.

Before relocating, Barbara was employed as Manger of Leasing & Occupancy at The Memphis Housing Authority; Senior Human Services Counselor at The State of Tennessee Department of Human Services and Coordinator of Section 8 Housing Assistance Program at The Housing Authority of The City of Aiken, South Carolina. While in Memphis, she served as a member of the Homeless Board of Coalition and a District Club Scout Leader Trainer. She is an “Owl” Wood

Badge Club Scout Leader and a Certified Public Housing and Section 8 Manager.

Living in Mobile, the family joined Toulminville-Warren Street United Methodist Church where

she has served on the Committee of Lay Leadership and Staff Parish Relations. She also served as Coordination of Age Level and Specialized Ministries, Director of Vacation Bible School and President of the local Unit of United Methodist Women. Barbara served as Vice President of the Mobile District United Methodist Women’s Mission Team and as District President for the terms of 2017-2020. She was the 2018 Chair of Alabama West Florida Conference District Presidents. She served as a member of the Executive Board of Directors at Dumas Wesley Community Center. Barbara currently serves as a newly elected member of the 2021-2024 Southeastern Jurisdiction Leadership Team as Chair of Nominations.

Barbara's hobbies are shopping, dancing and entertaining. She absolutely loves decorating for Christmas.  Her Constant Prayer is for a clean and understanding heart.

Barbara is married to her college sweetheart, Jeroy. They have two God fearing adult sons,

Jeroy III (Allison) and Joseph. They are blessed with four “absolutely perfect” grandchildren, Isaiah, Addison, Joseph and Avery.