Born and raised in Centralia, she attended St. Mary’s and Lincoln School, graduating from Centralia High School. She continued her education at Kaskaskia College and the University of Illinois, Circle Campus.
Her professional journey began with Amtrak in Washington D.C., followed by union leadership with the Teamsters. She later worked as an assistant to a QIDP in a residential facility and as a Mental Health Technician at a psychiatric hospital. After a temporary relocation to Miami, she continued her passion for service by working with nonprofits focused on supporting at-risk youth and went on to establish two of her own nonprofits: CORRDE and Bunny’s Food Explosion.
Currently, she serves as Vice President of the Bobby Joe Mason Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is actively involved in her community as:
• Member of the Veterans Committee and American Legion Auxiliary
•Trustee and Culinary Department member at Second Missionary Baptist Church
•Election Precinct Committee Person for over 20 years
•Recruiter for Kaskaskia College
•Community activist engaged with the City School Board, High School Board, and Chamber of Commerce
She is widowed with four children—two sons and two daughters—and enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, shooting pool, and dancing.