Our Staff
Dr. Mary John Dye
Lynn Smith
I grew up in a Methodist parsonage in Kentucky, where my father served under appointment as a Methodist minister for 74 years. Yes, 74. My father’s father was a Methodist circuit rider (come by the office and see his picture!) So I am a third generation Methodist preacher and my daughter, Christi, who is a UM pastor in Raleigh is 4th generation.
I share this with you to tell you I know our denomination very, very well. On one hand, that means I love this denomination with my whole heart. I am all in.
Dr. Dye began her ministry as the first cross-racial appointment in the North Mississippi Conference (serving Rasberry United Methodist Church in the black community of Indianola, Mississippi. Indianola was in the spotlight of the nation as civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer went to the courthouse there to register to vote.) After moving to Western North Carolina in 1984, she served the Bethel-Piney Grove Charge outside of Waynesville; Spruce Pine UMC in Spruce Pine, NC; Jackson Park UMC, Kannapolis; Archdale UMC, Archdale, NC and Hawthorne Lane UMC, Charlotte and Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Cornelius, NC. She served as Statesville District Superintendent from 2008-2012 and from 2018-2021, Senior Pastor at Broad Street United Methodist Church.
My husband, Barry, and I met at our Methodist Church in Downers Grove, Il while in high school youth group. We moved to Indian Trail, NC shortly after we married because my family had relocated here and I am a momma’s girl! We raised two sons in Mint Hill at Blair Road UMC and can’t imagine being anywhere else. I have always loved children’s ministry but have a new-found passion for our older adults and the wonderful opportunities for ministering with them. I enjoy continuing my education and improving my ministry by attending classes at Pfeiffer University and Christian Education Conferences around the southeast. I have a BS from Eastern Illinois University and Masters of Education from Appalachian State.
Johnsie Littlefield
12 years in Church Administration, serving at Memorial UMC in Charlotte, now 4 years with Blair Road UMC in Mint Hill!!
I am so happy to be a part of the Blair Road Staff!!
What a Blessing!!!!
Lea Oglesby
My “About Me” is really all about you. I am in love with both learning and teaching, the scriptures especially. No matter where you are in your life, it is the perfect place to start your journey of getting to where you want to be. I have a passion for connecting with others in a way that creates hope & joy for your life right now. Knowing that each one has the ability to grow and change, I will help map multiple paths, whether it is over, around or through any obstacles which stand in the way of a victorious, self-confident life in God’s love.
Rita Mabes
Rita Mabes is a native Charlottean and graduated with a degree in music from Queens University in Charlotte. She has played for churches for over 30 years, and also enjoys playing handbells and working with the children and youth music programs. Rita and her husband, Tim, reside in Matthews and have 3 adult children, Tim Jr, Christine, and Alex. In addition to playing the organ at Blair Road, Rita teaches piano lessons. She is a life long United Methodist and loves being at Blair Road. Secretly, she would love to play the harmonica, but so far has not been able to master it!
Ron Payne
Director of Traditional Music
Ron Payne has served many years and in numerous capacities on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Music Educators Association.Peers have honored him by electing him as the state chairman of the American School Band Directors Association and colleagues in NCBA awarded him the Award of Excellence for outstanding achievements and contributions to public school bands in 1993. In June of 2006, he received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association, and in May of 2007 he was presented one of 19 Star Teacher Awards for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. He considers his selection by his NCBA peers to serve as the 2009 High School All-State Honors Band clinician to be the highlight of his career.
Payne received his initial music training in the Kings Mountain School System from Joe Hedden and Donald Deal. He received both his M.M.E. and B.M.E. degrees (cum laude) from East Carolina University, where he studied euphonium with George Broussard and David Lewis and conducting with Robert Hause. His professional memberships include: A.S.B.D.A., M.E.N.C., N.C.M.E.A., Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Mu Alpha.