Meet Our Staff

Welcome Rev. Gerald Davis.

Tryon United Methodist Church welcomes interim pastor Rev. Gerald Davis on May 4,2025.

I was born and raised in northern Alabama. My father was a United Methodist pastor, my parents raised four sons, living in several communities across the area, so I’m very familiar with the United Methodist itineracy and life of a pastor’s family.

I graduated from Birmingham Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama with a BA degree, then went to Vanderbilt Divinity in Nashville. I met my wife, Kathy, while in Nashville and we were married in 1983.

I’ve served six appointments throughout my ministry, my first as an associate pastor of a church in the North Alabama Conference, then we went to an ABLC appointment with the Appalachia Service Project as Program Director in Johnson City, TN. In 1990, we moved into the bounds of WNC. Appointments include Salem in Albemarle, Vanderburg in Mooresville, Spindale in Rutherford County, and my last appointment at Groce in Asheville. In all I have served 41 years in the ordained ministry of UMC.; I retired in July, 2023.

We have two sons, Hayden (Nicole)and Dylan(Paige)—both are married and living in Asheville. Hayden and Nicole have given us two grandchildren, Bennie (age 2) and Maxine, 3 months.

We continue to reside in Asheville, Kathy and I enjoy time with family, especially our grandchildren, working in the yard and being outdoors, gardening, camping, spending time with our dog, CJ, and playing music(guitar).

Pam McNeil serves as the Director of Music Ministries and organist for our worship services. Since October 2010, she has been leading our Chancel Choir and supervising our guest instrumentalists, vocalists, and hand bell ensemble.

Pam is in her sixth year as a music educator in the Polk County School System and in her over forty-year as musical director for the local community theater. She brings vast knowledge and expertise from her fourteen years as Production Manager for the local newspaper.

She is held in highest regard in professional circles and in the many faith communities throughout the Southeast. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Piano and Music Education from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and a Masters in Music from Western Carolina University.