Richard and Shannon have been married for 21 years; they have 5 wonderful children whom they have homeschooled throughout the years. Their family has been grown biologically and through foster care and adoption. They have lived in Texas, North Carolina, and Virginia. The Jerkins Family relocated to Castlewood, Virginia after the passing of Shannon’s dad so they could be closer to extended family. With the help of the whole family, they are restoring an old house and enjoying learning about the area.

Richard

I grew up in Wharton, Texas and graduated from Wharton High School. I was confirmed and attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wharton. I attended Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, where I graduated and was able to pursue licensing in Funeral Service. After meeting Shannon, I traveled to the mountains and knew I would be moving from Texas to North Carolina. We were married in 2001.

I enjoy ministering and helping others, teaching, and mentoring my children, partaking of God’s beauty of the mountains, and evenings sitting on the porch visiting with my wife. Having pastored a church in North Carolina, visiting churches in the area and seeing the differing styles of worship has been interesting as I continue to seek the Lord’s place in ministry for me.

There is a great value to me in learning and seeing the old ways, becoming more self-sufficient, etc. Hand making smoking pipes and rebuilding antique farm equipment, working on engines, and motorcycles are hobbies of mine. I have played bass guitar for many years and look forward to the day I can own another upright bass.

Shannon

I grew up in Abingdon, Virginia; I attended Abingdon High School and was a member of the band program. Our family attended Abingdon Baptist Church.  I went to Bluefield College in Bluefield, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting. Over the years we have been married, I have been the bookkeeper for several small businesses including online sales, manufacturing, dry cleaners, food distributor, and small engine repair to name a few.

As a foster parent, I felt there was a great need for ministry in the system and partnered with a national foster care ministry to work with churches in our area while we were in North Carolina to minister to those in the foster care system, including children, parents, and workers.

Homemaking is a passion of mine; it is an honor for me to take care of my home and family daily. I enjoy gardening, canning, learning about herbal remedies, managing our home finances, and teaching my children at home.

Two of their sons, Liam and Zeke have opened a small engine repair business out of the home shop, servicing lawn mowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, 4 wheelers, and other equipment. (Quality Small Engine Repair LLC)

Outside of the business, Liam enjoys reading old western novels, welding, and the process of troubleshooting and repairing most anything mechanical – automotive, tractors, etc. Liam has enjoyed beekeeping and has achieved Journeyman Beekeeper Certification with the state of North Carolina.

Zeke has a love for antique equipment – anything from tractors, trucks, lawnmowers to old chainsaws. He enjoys “tinkering” for hours on old equipment. He enjoys helping others and making us laugh. Zeke also likes to weld and fabricate with metal.

Another son, Zane is actively pursuing the agricultural lifestyle, building fence, team roping, and driving his rat rod truck. He enjoys fishing the Clinch River, forging knives and training to become a farrier.

Their daughter Abigail enjoys baking, sewing, spending time with her grandmother, attending weekly social events at the church near their home, and helping with business administrative tasks.

Sean enjoys riding his bike, visiting with others, hot wheels cars, helping his brothers in the shop and building with Legos.