Our Vestry

Gail Wambsgans (2024)

I’m an Episcopalian PK, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and worked in human resources for the automotive industry for 35+ years. Since January 2019 I’ve called Pass Christian my home. The very first time I visited Trinity I knew immediately this was my church family. I love Trinity because we welcome everyone! I can be myself, and that self continues to grow in ways I never imagined. I love the feeling of being a part of a community of inclusion and compassion. I love to have fun, meet new people, nurture friendships, serve as usher, lector and on altar guild, sing (only) in the pews, and serve where God calls me.

Gail Wambsgans

Senior Warden

Tim Ladner

I have been a life-long resident of Pass Christian (the county) and a 1978 graduate of Pass Christian High School. I hold B.S. and M.A. Degrees in History from The University of Southern Mississippi. I have been married to Marcella Russell Ladner for 45 years and we were married at Trinity Church. We have three 3 children: Chris, Brittany, and Morgan, and 6 granddaughters. I have been a member of Trinity Church since my marriage. For years I was an Automotive Technician for Russell's Shell, but spent 25 years as a teacher, coach, and finally administrator for Pass Christian Public Schools, the last 5 years as the Athletic Director. I retired from education in 2021. I previously served Trinity Church as a Vestryman from 2012 to 2015. I currently attend 8:00 am service and serve as usher, lector, and sometime guitarist/musician. It would be my honor to again serve the parishioners of Trinity Episcopal Church on the Vestry.

Tim Ladner

Junior warden

“Hap” Crusel

I have spent many years on non profit boards and more managing a small business. I think I could make a positive contribution working on our vestry.

Hap Crusel

Sheryl Baltar

I have been a life-long member of the Episcopal church being baptized in New Orleans at Trinity Episcopal Church, confirmed at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, graduated from St. Martin's Episcopal School, and became a proud member of Trinity Church in Pass Christian in 1992. Since joining Trinity in The Pass I have served on the Vestry, been a member of The Live Oaks Cemetery Committee, worked with Trinity's Camp Able ministry, am a member of The St. Monica Guild, served as Hospitality Chairman and am currently an active member of The Flower Guild as well as serving as Clerk of the Vestry. It would be my honor to serve with Rev. Dr. Kyle Bennett as a member of the 2024-2026 Vestry should I be elected.

Sheryl Baltar

Lin Burdette

Lin was born on April 29, 1945, in Birmingham, AL, a near-Baby Boomer. Nothing remarkable happened until he met Martha Williams in his 2nd grade class. Today, approaching 52 years as husband and wife, she’s still his best friend. Martha gave him two wonderful children, Frank and Anna, and they brought fine spouses, Jennifer and Justin, to the family. Each couple, in turn, has given them two grandchildren: Ella and Sarah in Pass Christian, and Flora Jane and Liam in Decatur, GA.
Lin and Martha moved their family to Pass Christian in 1976. Since then, he has served his home community as a volunteer fireman and a member of the Zoning Board, and, following Hurricane Katrina, he chaired the city’s Visionary Committee, charged with bringing ideas for urban redevelopment to their devastated community.
Lin was baptized into the Episcopal Mission Parish of the Good Shepherd, Birmingham, at the age of nine. Since 1976, he has been a member of Trinity Church. He has served on various committees and as Vestry member and as Senior Warden. His particular interests have led him to serve as a Youth Group leader and choir member. He is committed to helping reinvigorate Trinity as a welcoming place for God’s children of all ages.
Lin’s career experiences have included lawn service technician, grocery store clerk, physics professor, oceanographer, engineering manager, and co-founder of a leading manufacturer of ATMs. At the ripe age of 53, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by earning his private pilot's license. He and Martha soon purchased their own airplane and began to expand their travel horizons. It is a dream they still pursue.
Lin was able to combine two of his passions - flying and community service – when in 2000 he joined Mercy Flight, a volunteer pilot organization that arranges free flights so that children and adults can have access to the far-from-home doctors who can save their lives. He has served as a Board Member and as Chairman of Mercy Flight Southeast; he continues as a Pilot and occasional Volunteer Speaker. Martha is his regular "First Officer."

Lin Burdette

JoAnn Rose

I was born in New Jersey and have been an Episcopalian since childhood.

I recently returned to the Gulf Coast after being away for 34 years in November 2021. After visiting a couple of Episcopal Churches in the area, I started attending Trinity and felt this was the Church for me.

I had been a member of St John’s Episcopal Church in Olde Towne Portsmouth Virginia for over ten years and had the opportunity to be an Acolyte, of which I was excited, because when I was a little girl, Acolytes were boys only. I also was an Usher, Reader, member of the Altar Guild, and during Covid was a Chalicer. I also was on the Vestry at St. John’s from January 2016 through November 2021 as Register (Secretary).

Since I have been attending Trinity I have become a member of the Altar Guild and recently become an Usher.

I am looking forward to being a member of the Vestry and hopefully be a valuable asset to Trinity Church.

Diann Hightower

Diann Hightower was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Newcomb College. While in college she was confirmed in The Episcopal Church. She met her husband Bill in New Orleans and they were married in 1992.Bill and Diann began attending Trinity in early 2014 after moving back to the Gulf Coast. It was a time when the Reverend Liz Jones was the interim priest and Steve McNair was the senior warden. They were quickly assimilated into the Trinity community. She served on the vestry from 2015-17. Other activities include lector, chalice bearer, altar guild, and leader of the flower team. She thinks this is an exciting time for Trinity Episcopal church, especially the building of Trinity Hall. She is honored to be asked to serve on the vestry.

Bob McGraw

Robert Luther ( Bob) McGraw, Jr. was born January 23rd, 1958 in Savannah, GA to Robert Luther McGraw, Sr. & Jimmie Cooper McGraw. He graduated from Savannah Country Day School in 1976 & attended the Armstrong State College and Georgia Tech where he received a dual degree in mathematics and mechanical engineering. He worked for Micheline Tire in Greenville, SC, and then for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.While employed as a field engineer on the Richard Russell hydropower project in Elberton, GA, he met and married Cathy Belew. He was then transferred to Ft. Benning, and they lived in Buena Vista, GA for 8 years during which time their daughter Abigail was born. While in Buena Vista, Bob pursued a Masters of Mathematics Education at Columbus State University and became a math teacher at Tri-County High School there. In 1992, they moved to Rome, GA, and Bob taught at Armuchee High School, Darlington School, Pepperell High School, Floyd College, and Berry College. During this time, he attended Georgia State University, and in 1997, received his PhD in Mathematics Education. He retired in 2015 and they moved to Bay Saint Louis, joining their daughter, Abigail McGraw Hode, and her husband Brett Hode; soon thereafter, their grandson Michelle Hode was born. In his retirement, Bob has pursued various artistic endeavors, and stays busy during the Christmas season portraying Santa Claus. He also has one other daughter, McCall McGraw Pauli who is married to Lisa Pauli. They reside in Jackson, MO.

Carllene MacMillan

I have been a member of Trinity for the past four years and help with a variety of ministries such the Pumpkin Patch, the Christmas Angels, the Alter Guild and LEM. While not a cradle Episcopalian, I have been an active member of the Anglican faith for over thirty years. My desire to serve on the vestry is to continue my quest to be of service to my church family who has given so much to me.