by The Good Life Park Cities | Mar 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
Leigh grew up in Dallas, attending Highland Park High School before going on to Vanderbilt for college. Ross is originally from Boston and studied at Colgate. The two met in Tennessee while Leigh was in graduate school and Ross was working. After getting married, they moved to Boston for seven and a half years and had two children. In 2011, they decided to relocate to Dallas to be closer to Leigh’s family, and in 2013, their third child was born.
They loved the Park Cities, so the choice to move to the area was easy. “When we moved here, we were able to meet friends so quickly,” Ross said. “There is an abundance of good people who look out for each other. Everyone is connected, and there’s always something fun to do.”
While raising their three kids, Carter, Ashley, and Campbell, Leigh worked as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Ross worked in strategy and operations consulting. Then in 2020, a local client Ross was serving wanted to develop a joint venture in Dubai, and Ross helped negotiate the deal. When the opportunity arose for Ross to continue helping in Dubai, Leigh was excited to go, but their kids—then ages 12, 10, and 8—were more hesitant. Despite some initial reluctance, they packed up and began an adventure that was supposed to last two years. However, when Ross’s assignment ended, they chose to stay an extra year. By then, their son was about to start high school, so they decided it was time to return to Highland Park—and they even moved back into their same home.
While in Dubai, the children attended Dubai American Academy (DAA), where they interacted daily with classmates and teammates from around the world. “By the end, the kids were quite happy,” Leigh said, “and the girls especially had a tough time leaving.”
During their time in Dubai, the Pattens were able to visit many remarkable places. They went on an African safari in Tanzania, visited the pyramids in Egypt, and took a trip to Jordan, where they experienced Petra, one of the seven man-made wonders of the world. In total, they visited 18 countries. “The people of Jordan were fantastic and very welcoming, and the terrain was fascinating. It was one of our favorite places,” Ross said.
Their children also had the chance to travel internationally on their own with their school. Carter went to Nepal one year and Finland the next, while Ashley took a trip to Sri Lanka. Because of Ashley’s soccer schedule, they traveled to tournaments in Singapore, Qatar, and Sweden, as well.
While the travel opportunities were wonderful for the Pattens, Dubai had a lot to offer as well. One of their most favorite things to do was to have weekend barbecues in the Dubai deserts with friends.
Leigh shared, “It was tough to move, but we felt it was a good shakeup for our family during COVID. We’re proud of the kids’ resiliency and ultimately their willingness to meet new people and try new things.”
Since returning from Dubai in late June, the family has enjoyed getting back to some of their old routines. “We’ve had a great time reconnecting with our family and old friends,” Leigh said. “Since the kids are in different schools from before, they are also meeting new friends from around the community, which is great”
Carter is playing football and running track at the high school, Ashley continues to play competitive soccer, and Campbell is a dancer.
Back in the United States, the Pattens enjoy visiting Colorado for ski trips, where Leigh’s parents have a home. Now, they hope to explore skiing in Europe and have plans to travel there this summer to reconnect with friends they met in Dubai. “We want to continue to expand our horizons, and the kids have global relationships they want to maintain,” Leigh said.
Faith plays a significant role in the Pattens’ lives. They attend Highland Park United Methodist Church, where Ross and Leigh were married. “Moving to a Muslim country, we didn’t know what to expect regarding religion,” Leigh said. “We really wanted the kids to continue going to church, and we ended up finding Fellowship Dubai which quickly became our church home. We met some wonderful people with whom we could continue to celebrate Christian celebrations like Christmas and Easter.” According to Leigh, churches in Dubai need to secure periodic approval to maintain operation and usually operate out of hotels or empty office buildings as they currently cannot be standalone buildings. During their time abroad, the Pattens’ faith grew stronger, and they were fortunate to visit the location where Jesus was baptized.
“Our time in Dubai was a fantastic experience, and we were exposed to so many other cultures,” Ross said. “We feel there are a lot of preconceived notions about the Middle East that aren’t accurate. The culture is very different, but everyone was so welcoming, and they enjoyed teaching us about their lives and learning about ours.”
“Even with such a positive experience, our plan all along was to come back to the Park Cities, a place we’re happy to call home.”
by The Good Life Park Cities | Feb 4, 2025 | Uncategorized
David Peacock’s journey to Dallas began in 1992 when he moved from his hometown of Charlotte to attend SMU. His roommate at the time was dating Laurie’s best friend, and through this connection, David met Laurie. By the time they both graduated in 1996—David with a degree in business and Laurie with a law degree—they had become a couple. Now, nearly three decades later, the Peacocks have three grown children and continue to enjoy life in the Park Cities.
Laurie’s story is a bit different. Born in Jackson, she moved to Dallas when she was about five years old. Her early education was in private schools until her family settled in the Park Cities, where she attended Highland Park, graduating in 1988. Laurie went on to have a successful career as an insurance defense attorney, but when their youngest child was born, she shifted her focus to family life. Together, David and Laurie have seen their children grow up in the same community, all of them attending Highland Park schools for most of their lives. “We love the Park Cities. We have no plans to leave,” Laurie said.
Their three children, William, Robert, and Anne Blanche, have each found their own paths, but their upbringing in the area has played a significant role in shaping their futures. William, the oldest, attended private schools before switching to University Park for elementary, eventually graduating from Highland Park High School in 2018. He then attended Miami University in Ohio where he earned a finance degree in 2022. “After graduation, I was looking for a change of scenery,” William explained. “While I loved my four years in Oxford, Ohio, I realized I wanted to be back in Dallas for career opportunities.” Today, William works as an analyst for Swift Creek Partners and enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, Natalie Arns, a St. Louis native. They met when each moved here after college through a mutual friend who was an HP classmate of William’s and a college friend of Natalie’s. William also enjoys playing golf. He, his father, and brother Robert have a weekly golf game. Robert, the middle child, was involved in sports at Highland Park, playing on the golf team and basketball team at times. After graduating from Highland Park in 2020, he attended the University of Arkansas. Robert played on the Arkansas club golf team winning several tournaments. He graduated in May and is now pursuing a career in professional golf. “I caddy at Trinity Forest to make extra money and work on my golf game with my coach, Randy Smith, most days.” He is looking forward to playing in several upcoming tournaments and continuing the grind. He also enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Kennedy, a junior at SMU. Anne Blanche, the youngest, attended University Park elementary, then Hockaday for three years, before transferring back to Highland Park, graduating in 2023. She loved her time at Highland Park where she was active in numerous organizations and played soccer all four years. She is now a sophomore at UT Austin, majoring in kinesiology/sports management. “I did a summer program at the London School of Economics last year and loved the experience,” she said. “I hope to study abroad again next year.” She is now interning as a social media coordinator for Sandlot Children’s Charity.
As a family, the Peacocks have enjoyed several memorable vacations, with London during the holiday season in 2021 being a family favorite. “It was such a unique trip because of Covid,” William recalled. “The hotel was only about 20% full, and it felt like we had the city to ourselves.” David, William and Robert also traveled to Newcastle to watch a Manchester City football game. Outside of their London adventures, the Peacocks also have a family home in Monteagle, Tennessee. “My grandfather was Baptist preacher who grew up not far from there,” shared Laurie. “It is this connection to the area that led my father’s family to visit Monteagle each summer after buying a small cottage there in 1947. And now their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren continue the tradition each summer.”
Locally, the Peacocks enjoy several restaurants, including Hillstone, il Bracco, Burger House, and Mi Cocina. However, Anne Blanche shared that her mom’s cooking is equally amazing. “We eat at home more often than we go out, and my mom’s lasagna is my favorite meal,” she said.
David, who is the CEO of Messick Peacock and Associates, a wealth management company, also serves on the board of Forefront Living Foundation and the Texas Business Hall of Fame. The family is also involved with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League. Laurie was a symphony debutante, and her mother was active with fundraising for the DSOL for many years. In addition, Robert participated in the Honor Guard last year, and Anne Blanche was recently invited to participate as a debutante where she has been able to reconnect with friends from Hockaday and form new friendships as well.
In the end, the Peacocks are perfectly content with where life has taken them. They appreciate their family bond, the comfort of a home-cooked meal, and the chance to keep exploring the world together.
by The Good Life Park Cities | Jan 2, 2025 | Uncategorized
By Doug Ferber
Gerald Turner, SMU’s longest-serving president, has decided to step down from his role after three decades of leading the Mustangs. Dr. Turner will take on the position of President Emeritus at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. We will remember Dr. Turner for leading Southern Methodist University through exponential growth and multiple fundraising efforts for student scholarships, building upgrades and endowed faculty positions. And we can’t forget about Dr. Turner’s efforts to land the George W. Bush Presidential Center and to build a $2 billion endowment. Under his leadership, the university bolstered its academic distinction and rebuilt its football program from the depths of the “death penalty” in the 1980’s. After hearing about his “career pivot” I thought it would be a great opportunity to recognize his accomplishments. I am grateful that he has allowed me to ask him a few questions so Park Cities residents can get to know he and his wife Gail a little better.
Where are you from?
I was born in Atlanta, Texas, but grew up in New Boston, Texas, which is 20 miles west of Texarkana.
Where did you meet your wife?
Gail and I began dating while we were students at Abilene Christian University.
Do you have children? Did they attend SMU?
We have two daughters. Angela and her husband, Michael, who is a Dedman Law graduate, have two sons. Jessica, who graduated from SMU in 1999, and her husband, Jeff, have three daughters.
Mrs. Turner, what are your favorite family memories associated with your time at SMU?
There are so many over these 30 years. Our daughter Jessica received her BFA from SMU in 1999, and she and Jeff Waugh were married in Perkins Chapel in 2002. Our daughter Angela’s husband, Michael Wilson, received his J.D. degree from Dedman Law in 1997, and Angela sang “God Bless America” at the opening of The Bush Library in 2013. We always enjoyed the opportunity to allow some of our five grandchildren to ride many times with us in the Park Cities Fourth of July Parade and in most of the SMU Homecoming Parades.
Favorite vacation destination for you and your wife?
Gail and I both enjoy going to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, whenever we have the opportunity.
Favorite hobby? What do you like to do in your spare time?
Gail and I enjoy playing golf together when we have the opportunity.
Favorite quote?
“In difficult situations, anyone can lose his temper. It takes maturity to stay calm and find a solution.” ~ Quote from R. B. Turner, my dad and a junior high principal
Where did you attend college?
I received an Associate’s Degree from Lubbock Christian University, Baccalaureate Degree at Abilene Christ University, and Masters and Doctorate Degrees at University of Texas at Austin.
When did you come to SMU?
June 1995
What attracted you to leave Ole Miss and come to SMU?
Although we enjoyed our 11 years at Ole Miss, we are both from Texas and grew up admiring both SMU and Dallas. Therefore, the opportunity to work with the SMU community while living in the Park Cities and Dallas were great attractions to us.
What were your major priorities upon arriving at SMU?
The Board of Trustees basically identified three priorities for the administration: 1. Increase the national visibility of SMU; 2. Increase the academic quality of the student body and faculty; 3. Strengthen the relationship between the University and the city of Dallas.
What has been your highest accomplishment as president of the university?
Whatever individual projects might be identified, the success of this era has been based upon the close working relationship that we have had with the Board of Trustees. We have always been on the same page as to what is best for the present and future of the University, which has been the foundation of its development over these years.
How important has the Bush presidential library been to SMU?
The location of the Bush Presidential Center at SMU has been incredibly important. The dedication of the Bush Center in 2013 drew five living presidents to our campus, which was a remarkable moment in the life of the University. The many national and international leaders who come to campus and are available for public events, the presence of President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush regularly on our campus, and the many projects and programs at the Bush Center allow our students to have internships and other service opportunities that truly broaden their experience as SMU students.
You brought high-profile, competitive sports “back” to SMU…how important is this to the success of the school?
We’re thrilled about this move to the Atlantic Coast Conference and the opportunities it brings. Intercollegiate athletics is an American university phenomenon not mirrored in any other major country in the world. Americans, by nature, are competitive, and it should not be a surprise that by the late 1800’s competition between student bodies in various areas began. With the structure of intercollegiate athletics in the United States becoming more and more stratified, it was very important for us to be a member of one of the four major conferences. Our success in our first year in the ACC has truly energized the SMU community both on and off campus with university-wide benefits. Our emergence as a strong player in this conference has raised our national profile, and we’ve already seen a very large increase in the number of applications for the first-year class for next year.
You created a close alignment between SMU and the city of Dallas…what inspired this focus and, in your opinion, has it worked?
Every great city has a great university, and we are committed to being that university for Dallas. SMU was founded more than 100 years ago upon the joint efforts of business and civic leaders in Dallas and leaders within the United Methodist Church. We have worked to reignite the sense of ownership in SMU as “Dallas’ University” as a reaffirmation of our origin. More than 70 percent of our graduates, including out-of-state students, find employment in the Dallas region. The support of SMU artistic, cultural, and athletic programs, the creation of countless internships within the city, and the recruitment and employment of SMU students to stay in Dallas for the benefit of its business, educational, and cultural sectors have all underscored the success of the relationship between SMU and Dallas.
What is your vision for the future of SMU?
We can look forward to many major advances in the future of the University. The continued ascendance in academic rankings of the University and its individual schools and our anticipated achievement of Carnegie Foundation R1 status will highlight the strength of our graduate and research programs. This prestigious designation will enhance our ability to attract researchers from all parts of the country as we grow our ability to find solutions to some of the world’s pressing problems. A second major focus will be to more fully support students of all backgrounds through more merit scholarships, because we want to empower outstanding students to attend SMU regardless of financial means.
What has living in the Park Cities community meant to you and Mrs. Turner?
Gail and I have thoroughly enjoyed living in University Park. We try to be supportive of the Highland Park School District and many of the business, religious, and cultural institutions within the Park Cities. It’s simply a great place to live.
The Boulevard is a big hit…has it been more successful than the Grove at Ole Miss?
When we arrived in 1995, SMU was playing football games back in the Cotton Bowl, with the campus receiving little benefit from having home football games. The construction of Ford Stadium on our campus, hosting SMU football for the first time back in September 2000, was a crucial first step. We knew that having these games on the campus would provide opportunities to deepen the ties of alumni and friends with the University and help in the recruitment of students who visit the campus on such a weekend. Soon after we arrived in Dallas, we took some SMU alumni to an Ole Miss game to show them The Grove and how it was such a major benefit to Ole Miss. I had already decided that the entire Bishop Boulevard greenspace – from where it began past the Highland Park United Methodist Church up to the Flagpole at the northern end – would be a great area for tailgating. There were various names suggested, but I felt like having a simple name descriptive of the area, just as The Grove was at Ole Miss, would be most appropriate; therefore, “The Boulevard” became its official name. To say that it has been a major success would be an understatement.
What is your favorite SMU tradition?
The Boulevard and the Celebration of Lights that we host for our SMU community and our neighbors each Christmas season are certainly two of my favorite SMU traditions.
by The Good Life Park Cities | Dec 4, 2024 | Uncategorized
As 2024 comes to a close, we are presenting you with a special issue of The Good Life Park Cities. This issue focuses on some of the amazing residents and contributors we have featured over the years. We have had the privilege to introduce you to some fantastic Park Cities families and have been blessed with knowledgeable sponsors who enjoy sharing their expertise with our readers. This magazine wouldn’t be what it is today without the support of the community and readers like you!
In 2022, we met the Brattons. Geoff and Amy, who met during high school and married in 2002, have built a wonderful life together with their twin sons. Geoff owns Holt Veterinary clinic, where Amy contributes after she stepped away from her legal career to help manage the practice and raise their children. The family enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and cycling, frequently visiting their retreat in New Mexico to appreciate nature away from city life. We also learned of Geoff’s impressive 10,000 mile per year streak with biking!
We also learned about the Letier family and their fun holiday traditions such as their “Bloody Mary and Bacon Brunch” featuring over 30 pounds of bacon, homemade cinnamon rolls, and gallons of Bloody Mary’s. Scott is also known for Feast of Seven Fishes. Donna, co-founder of Gardenuity, says they have recently upgraded to a 10,000 square foot studio in the Dallas Design District. “We have programs weekly, and we love seeing our friends stop by for some shopping and planting,” she shared. Their oldest daughter, Madison, now lives only a couple of blocks away and works for Anchor Capital. The family has also grown with the addition of a new puppy named Newman!
In July of 2022, we featured the Furrates. Jamie, owner of Curtis Specialized Moving & Storage, has taught us the value of hiring professional movers and utilizing a full-service, white-glove company, as well as finding the best to store space for our items. They are a great family who have supported the Crystal Charity Ball and Cattle Baron’s Ball and were recent additions to University Park when we interviewed them in 2002.
A new year brought out more wonderful families including the Susens family! Scott and Beth have been Park Cities residents since 2004 with their two children, Miller and Michael. They enjoy cooking and growing their own vegetables and herbs. For over 20 years, they’ve upheld an amazing holiday tradition: delivering over 50 holiday cocktails on Christmas morning, with names that change yearly such as “Merry Mistletoe,” “Rosy Rudolph,” and “Dirty Snowball.” We’re all still patiently waiting for Beth to publish her secret recipes!
Lifelong Park Cities residents Burton and Leslie Rhodes were featured in our April issue of 2023. Burton works in residential real estate and devotes much of his time to Preservation Park Cities. He has helped highlight numerous homes in the “Preservation Park Cities Top 100” including 3615 Dartmouth Avenue, 4331 Belclaire Avenue, and Mouzon’s Folly at 3444 University Boulevard. Both he and Leslie are involved in the community and attend their children’s many sports activities. Thank you, Burton, for your contribution to Preservation Park Cities!
The Jim and Patty Moody, featured in June 2023, have been Park Cities residents for four generations. Patty Moody’s great-grandfather Joe E. Lawther was a visionary Dallas mayor who developed White Rock Lake, and her grandfather Lynn V. Lawther, whose name is on the plaque dedicating Williams Park, was Dallas County and University Park Commissioner. We learned of Jim’s contribution to transforming Methodist Hospital by initiating the CareFlite program and achieving Level I trauma status, leaving a legacy with the Methodist Moody Brain and Spine Institute upon retiring in 2019. He had recently authored “On Call: A Neurosurgeon’s Story of Serving God and Others,” chronicling his life, medical career, battle with pancreatic cancer, and faith. With six children and nine grandchildren, the family values vacations, holidays, and the tight-knit community.
Next up, we have the Burdettes. Elliott and Lisa share a love for travel, and their adventures have taken them to Paris and the Périgord region of France, Tanzania and Kenya. Recently, Lisa, the founder of The Dallas School of Etiquette, travelled to Washington DC with her granddaughter, Lila, to be featured on the cover of Mount Vernon Magazine. “As I teach all my students, George Washinton lived for the good of those yet to come rather than glorifying himself,” she shared. “I encourage all of my students to visit Mount Vernon, especially the presidential library. This journey has and continues to be an inspiration to me as I seek to teach children and adults how to connect with all cultures through etiquette.”
In November 2023, we met Jared and Melrose Hutchins, recent additions to the Park Cities. Jared’s wife, formerly the Society Editor of People Newspapers, was deeply involved in Dallas philanthropy, serving on boards like the Mayor’s Star Council, The Family Place, TACA, Readers 2 Leaders, and The Trinity Trust Foundation. Tragically, his wife passed away suddenly in 2020 prompting Jared to move to Highland Park in 2022 for its schools and community. Recently, Melrose recently started Kindergarten at Armstrong and loves walking to school every day. Additionally, Jared has started writing a book, and the family spent time together in Mexico for Thanksgiving and have plans to visit London and Paris over Christmas.
2024 has brought us some great families as well. In our first issue of the year, we featured the Hudes family. Living blocks away from the World Trade Center, Marshall and Angie relocated to Dallas after the events of September 11, settling in Highland Park. When their daughter, Kayla, was born, Marshall decided to shift gears, assisting his brother in opening an Italian restaurant in Dallas. What started as a small venture, Cafe Nostra transformed into a successful catering business, CN Catering. Kayla attends Highland Park High School and will be graduating this year. Congratulations, Kayla!
Carrie and Jason Morski, featured in April, were also from New York. They moved to Preston Hollow in 2006 and then relocated to Highland Park in 2020. Their children, Maxwell and Addison, are students at Bradfield Elementary and enjoy playing soccer. Jason serves on the board of Preservation Park Cities and is chairman of the PPC car show. They spoke of their love for travel – from Colorado ski trips during spring break to sunny days on Florida beaches. They also shared their favorite local destinations like Mi Cocina, Café Pacific, Park House, and Honor Bar.
We also had the privilege of featuring “supermoms” Meredith Ferrell and Courtney Petit. Meredith transitioned from a career in advertising to real estate, inspired by her mother’s success in the industry, and now leads her own real estate group. Courtney retired from a corporate career in finance to pursue interior design, following in her mother’s footsteps. The two families became friends through their children, and Meredith and Courtney were co-chairs of the 2024 Preservation Park Cities Home Tour, with the goal of making the history and architecture of the Park Cities relevant to their generation.
To wrap up our December “Best Of” issue, we would like to mention our July 2024 feature. We learned that the Stone family runs a family-owned estate sale business founded by Janelle Stone, who has a background in fashion merchandising and interior design from Baylor University. Janelle and her husband, Bill, have four children. Their son Wen joined the family business and has been a key contributor for seven years. Since our July article, Wen and his fiancée, Sara, have married and they are expecting a baby boy in March 2025. Congratulations to the entire Stone family!
Thank you to all the families that have been featured in our magazine! We look forward to meeting many more of you in 2025!
by The Good Life Park Cities | Nov 1, 2024 | Uncategorized
Kevin and Lynn Wisdom are enthusiastic Park Cities residents and are fortunate that their son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter are nearby residents as well. The unique character and charm of the community is not lost on them.
Kevin and Lynn’s journey together began through volunteer work. They met at a launch party organized by the Volunteer Center of Dallas which is now known as the Metroplex Volunteer Center. Lynn was working in community relations for JC Penney and was a Board Member for the Volunteer Center. Kevin attended and searching for volunteer organizations in which to participate. “I met Kevin during the party, and we met a couple of times after that,” Lynn shared. “I thought that he was a really nice guy, and I think that I need him on a committee.” Their friendship grew over time and they eventually began dating. Dating led to a marriage that has now lasted 26 years.
A commitment to volunteering and the community continues to be a big part of their lives together. They recently became members of Preservation Park Cities. Additionally, they support the Grant Halliburton Foundation which focuses on mental health resources for youth and suicide prevention. “We became involved about five years ago and act as sponsors of the organization,” Lynn noted. They are long-time supporters of the North Texas Food Bank and the Notre Dame School of Dallas. Dwell with Dignity, which helps families transitioning from homelessness to settling in their new homes, is also a project that they support.
Lynn’s background includes having lived across several states due to her father’s career as an executive with Marriott. Despite the moves, Texas became the place that she calls home. She carved out a career in in public relations and marketing, first with the Dallas Market Center, then JC Penney, and later with the Ingersoll Company. While with the Ingersoll Company. She represented major magazines such as Town and Country, Elle Decor and she helped launch Oprah Magazine for the Hearst Corporation out of New York City. She became owner of the former Ingersoll Company and owns what is now Wisdom Media.
Originally from St. Louis, Kevin was managing his family’s construction business of 53 years when he decided to become part of the world of real estate development. “I had this notion that I wanted to move to Dallas and work for one of the large real estate development companies. I was fortunate to begin that career by joining Trammell Crow Residential in 1983,” he said. While still having a passion for development, Kevin is spending a good bit of time acquiring land in East Texas in order to place conservation easements upon it while also managing wetlands mitigation.
Along those lines, just outside Athens, Texas, Kevin and Lynn have recently remodeled a home on their property which has a historical context. “The area was settled in 1840, and our property was established in 1883. As far as the remodel for the home, the structural components were sourced from a former goat barn on Ginger Murchison’s property. We were able to salvage the hand-hewn posts and beams,” Kevin said. “With components like that, we were able to create a structure with a good bit of character and historical integrity while including current, modern features as well”.
The property with acreage and the home is used as a place for recreation. Lynn enjoys cooking and entertaining. “I enjoy spending time on the various projects that come along with the property as well as creating projects for myself,” Kevin said. “The balance of my time is spent trying to convince Lynn that there are no bugs anywhere on the property.”
They try to get the family there as much as possible. “It’s a great opportunity for family time,” said Lynn, “particularly, with our granddaughter.” “The idea that our 10-year-old granddaughter who participates in ballet, cheer, equestrian and volleyball during the week is still excited to come to the property on weekends and run though the fields, fish and sit in a deer blind with Daddy warms my heart,” says Kevin.
Regarding their fellow Park Cities residents, their son Kyle, an SMU graduate, is a Senior Housing developer and he and his family live a mere five minutes away. His wife, Elizabeth, is a Senior Vice President with Allie Beth Allman. She is a former Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, and that experience has certainly added to the attraction of dance and cheer for their daughter.
When they are not “being rural” as Kevin calls it, they have a real focus on art and travel. Lynn prefers figurative work while Kevin is focused upon contemporary work. “We take turns selecting the purchases so we get some balance,” Lynn said. As far as travel is concerned, they have determined that Florence, Italy, is their favorite destination so far. They have a trip to Sicily and the Greek Islands scheduled to take place in the near future.
Quite simply, Kevin and Lynn love the Park Cities. As Lynn puts it, “Even though I’ve moved around a lot, Dallas has always been home and always will be. We love the community here – from parades to the lighting of the Christmas tree and everything in between”.
by The Good Life Park Cities | Oct 3, 2024 | Uncategorized
By Sarah Mitchell
Michelle Joyner’s journey began in Roanoke, Virginia, but her childhood was filled with moving around the South due to her dad’s job. By the time she was in the fourth grade, her family settled in Plano, Texas, where her parents still live today. Michelle has always had a passion for learning, which shows in her academic achievements. She attended Plano West High School, then went on to the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her love for education then led Michelle to pursue further studies at Duke University, earning her Master of Science in Nursing and later returning to Duke to complete her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2016.
It was while working as a new pediatric nurse practitioner in the pulmonology unit at Children’s Medical Center that Michelle met Rob. One day, while getting her hair done at her favorite salon in Plano, her hairstylist suggested she meet a guy who sounded perfect for her. Intrigued, Michelle was open to the idea but didn’t think much of it until later that evening when one of the doctors at work mentioned she had met her boyfriend on Match.com. Encouraged, Michelle decided to give online dating a try and created a profile. To her surprise, she matched with Rob Joyner, the very guy her hairstylist had mentioned. As Michelle put it, “The universe was going to have us meet one way or another!”
Rob’s story began in Greensboro, North Carolina, before his family moved to Plano when he was just three years old. Growing up just five miles from Michelle, their paths didn’t cross until much later. Rob attended public school in Plano before transferring to Jesuit for high school. With a passion for design, Rob initially pursued a degree in architecture at the University of Arkansas. “I’ve always been interested in architecture and design,” Rob shared. “As a kid, I played with Legos and thought the next step was to design homes and spaces.” However, after a year, he realized that architecture wasn’t the right fit for him, so he switched to business and transferred to the University of North Texas, where he completed his degree.
About ten years ago, Rob co-founded a legal software company that helps small and mid-sized law firms manage their operations. Rob is also an artist at heart. His love for painting started in college when, short on cash, a friend suggested he create his own art to decorate his apartment. This sparked a passion that Michelle encouraged him to rekindle years later. Rob’s big, chunky abstract pieces, often referred to as “blobs,” became a creative outlet. “When I start something, I do a lot of it,” said Rob. “It got to the point where we ran out of space in our house.” Michelle then set up an Instagram account under @paintedjoyner and they began selling some of his pieces. His art has not only filled their home but also supported various charities and auctions across Dallas, including Crystal Charity Ball, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, and Armstrong Elementary among others. One of his pieces raised $25,000 for Make-A-Wish North Texas earlier this year. Rob’s art is exhibited at various locations throughout the year, with Scout Design Studio and Stanley Korshak being the most recent.
Rob and Michelle’s first date is a story they love to tell. Michelle had a group of friends visiting and had made dinner reservations. She invited Rob, whom she hadn’t met in person yet, to join them. Rob arrived, eager to impress, but when it came time to pay for dinner, he realized he had forgotten his wallet. “I ended up paying for dinner,” Michelle laughed. “But there was something special about him, and I didn’t think twice about the situation. It led us to where we are now.” Rob added, “I did go back and get my wallet and paid for the rest of the evening. It was a bad look, though!”
Today, Rob and Michelle are the proud parents of 6-year-old twins, Joules and Ames. They love spending time as a family, especially on vacations to their favorite destinations like Charleston, where Rob’s parents have a beach house, and Destin, where Michelle’s parents also have a place. They also enjoy trips to Arizona, particularly the Ritz-Carlton in Dove Mountain, which offers the opportunity for the couple to relax and unwind in the desert. “Michelle and I are two people that don’t ever stop,” explained Rob. “By going out in the desert, it forces you to stop. It’s always a nice getaway for the two of us.”
In addition to her career and family life, Michelle runs a twin mom blog. She started the blog when her twins were just seven weeks old, sharing her experiences and challenges as a new twin mom. “Even though I’m a seasoned nurse practitioner dual certified in primary care and acute care pediatrics, I still felt clueless at first with how to handle two babies at once. I felt like at that time, there wasn’t enough information or real stories accessible to me. My mother-in-law Cheryl mentioned that I should start my own blog to help other twin moms in the same situation. So, I started sharing what I was going through and it evolved from there. It’s been a fun adventure and I love kids and have dedicated my entire career to children. It fits very naturally in my life and what I like to focus on.”
The Joyners stay busy with their kids, supporting Joules in her dance, cheerleading, and Girl Scouts, while Rob coaches Ames in football and basketball. “We have loved being a part of the Highland Park community. Before living here, we lived right outside of Highland Park and didn’t have that same community feel. To be able to go up to Armstrong and get to know the other parents has been really special to us. It’s been a great experience. We feel very blessed that we made it here.”
