24 Oct 2016 Couples: Susan and C.W. Siler

HER  Susan Siler

Native of: Bradford (White County).

Education: Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

Job: Registered nurse and clinical director of cardiac stepdown, Unity Health-White County Medical Center.

Parents: Ruby Turner and the late James Turner of Searcy.

Church activities: We are active members of Valley Baptist Church in Searcy. Together, we help teach the fifth and sixth grade Sunday school. I serve on various committees and help in the nursery when needed.

Hobbies/special interests: I love to cook. And I love to crochet, when time allows.

How would you describe yourself: I am a very easy going person, I’m very family oriented and I love helping people.

Most enjoyed weekend activity: I love cooking a big breakfast on Saturday mornings for my family. This has been something I have done since our kids were little. In the fall, I look forward to attending University of Central Arkansas football games with them.

Favorite quote: “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it.” – Charles Swindoll

What do you love about living in the 501: I enjoy living in a small, rural community, but being within driving distance of the amenities that a larger city provides.

HIM   C.W. Siler

Native of: Bradford (White County).

Education: Bachelor of science degree in physical therapy, University of Central Arkansas.

Job: Director of Rehabilitation Services, Unity Health.

Parents: Adred Siler and the late Carl W. Siler of Bradford.

Community activities: Apparently, I missed my calling to be a coach. Even before we had kids of our own, I coached some youth league sports. As our kids became old enough to play, it was just natural to be their coach. For the last 17 years, I have coached every youth league basketball, softball, baseball, football and soccer team they have played on. It wasn’t just a community activity, it was our life, and it didn’t leave much time for anything else.

Church activities: We attend Valley Baptist Church in Searcy. I serve in the music ministry, playing the drums in our praise band and helping as a multi-media tech. Together, we help teach fifth and sixth grade Sunday School.   

Hobbies/special interests: I do a little freelance photography. I enjoy shooting action sports and nature. 

How would you describe yourself: Even though I was born at the end of the “Baby Boom,” the views and characteristics of that generation run deep within me. I consider myself to be very family-oriented, committed to my work and deeply loyal to my friends.  

Most enjoyed weekend activity: Having the entire family together for football! It begins on Friday night with a road trip or pregame activity for the Searcy Lions game. It continues on Saturday morning with a late breakfast while we all watch “ESPN Gameday.” By midday, we are wearing our purple and headed to Estes Stadium for a UCA home game or planted on the couch to watch the Bears on TV. We have done this for years. It may be the most consistent social tradition we have as a family. 

What do you love about living in the 501: I like the cultural and geographical diversity that exists in such a small footprint. From river bottoms to mountain tops, small towns where you can know everyone to metropolitan areas where you can be totally anonymous. It is middle America at its finest.

THEM

Residents of: Searcy.

How we met: We really can’t remember not knowing one another. We grew up together in the same small town. 

The proposal: Christmas Day 1988. We left the hustle and bustle of the Siler family gathering and took a little drive. We stopped at Departee Bayou (White County), where I gave her a Christmas teddy bear. I’m pretty sure she was disappointed with such an insignificant gift until she found the ring box stuffed inside the bear’s sweater.  

Wedding bells: June 3, 1989, in Bradford. 

Children: We are blessed with two. Savannah (21) is a senior at the University of Central Arkansas, and Will (18) is a senior at Searcy High School.

Pets: We have two rescue dogs, Weezy and Oakley.

Family activities enjoyed together: We spend a lot of time together cheering on our Bears at UCA football and baseball games. We also enjoy our time together on the occasional road trip vacation, but can be just as content to waste a day hanging out together by the pool.