MaryBeth Carpenter – Executive Director & Chair

A veteran fundraiser, MaryBeth runs Greater Gifts Consulting assisting Triangle based non-profits with strategic planning and fundraising. MaryBeth holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and her BA from the Ohio State University.

She has won several awards for her fundraising and writing, and served on several local boards in Raleigh and gives trainings on fundraising across North Carolina. She and her husband Scott are also restoring the historic c 1911 John D Finch house on East Horton Street. MaryBeth is also writing a soon to be released book “Legendary Locals of Little River” detailing local history in the area. She is a co-founder of Preservation Zebulon Inc. She is a board member.

Sandra Richardson – Vice Chair

Sandra Richardson is a life time resident of the Zebulon area and a descendent of the Chamblee family, one of the early families to settle in Zebulon over 250 years ago.  She has retired after serving over 31 years with the N.C. Department of Agriculture in Human Resources.  Sandra is an active member of Wakefield Central Baptist Church and joined PZ’s board in 2023 and serves as our Volunteer Coordinator.

“My husband, Tim, and I are antique “buffs” and have been collecting antiques for a number of years for our home, as well as, for our mock store!” she explains. “The quality and beauty that is found in the restoration of vintage pieces and homes is so exciting and rewarding!  We like to remember from whom we came and what has been and to help keep it alive!”

Marvin Howell – Treasurer

Marvin Lee Howell has served as Treasurer of PZ for three years. He recently retired after 34 years at Pullen Park, where he was Historic Attractions Manager for Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources.

Marvin and Dwain Driver own three historic houses on Sycamore Street, purchased between 1992 and 2001.  He also works at Lovallo Florist, owned and operated by Dwain Driver.

Marvin grew up in Lenoir, NC, and he and his siblings have a family farm there, with hogs, cattle and crops of corn, wheat and hay to produce their own feed.  Marvin moved to Raleigh in 1985 and moved to Zebulon in 1986.

Denise Loucks, Recording Secretary – 2025-2027

Denise Loucks is a lifetime resident of Zebulon. She grew up in Hopkins, a local rural community. She attended Wakelon and graduated from Zebulon High School. Denise graduated from Meredith College where she received a BA in Home Economics and Early Childhood Teaching Certification.   After teaching 2^nd Grade for 22 years at Zebulon Elementary School, she returned to college at North Carolina Central University and completed her Masters in Library Science. She continued her career as the media specialist at Zebulon Elementary until she retired in 2014, completing 35 years of teaching at the same school.  Denise is married to Larry Loucks, and they continue to live in Zebulon and are involved in the town’s future. As a member of Zebulon Baptist Church, she volunteers in the children’s library and serves on the Benevolence Team. In her free time, she volunteers at Zebulon Elementary with the Heroes Read Program, Read Across America, and school book fairs.

Denise enjoys attending the activities of her great niece and great nephew, traveling with her husband, shopping, and coffee with her friends.  Denise and her family were instrumental in the organization of the Hopkins Rural Fire Department in 1977. Denise states, “Growing up in Hopkins, I quickly learned to value the people and places that made my community a place to call home.  I saw the value of a community of diverse people working together to make our community successful.

As a board member of Preservation Zebulon, I hope to help continue the history of Zebulon, remembering the special citizens of our community and promoting the restoration of historic properties.”

Linda Shrake – Correspondence Secretary

Linda and her husband live in Wake Forest.  She has had a varied career working in nonprofits and international corporations as an administrative assistant as well as a contract administrator. She is also a published writer and is currently retired.

“Learning about the past teaches us about where we’ve come from and helps tie us to family and community.  Reflecting and maintaining history in our communities is so important, especially as the Raleigh area explodes in growth,” she explains. “As we strive to keep original buildings, and family history alive, we get a sense of how far we’ve come while celebrating the past. Even though Zebulon has changed and grown over the years and will most likely continue to expand, it’s valuable to keep its unique stories, structures, and roots alive. For me to be a part of Preservation Zebulon is a step in helping secure the history of those who came before us which has led us into today.”

Taylor Gray – Plaque Committee Chair (2025-2027)

Taylor joined the Board in 2019.  He is executive project manager with a commercial general contractor in Raleigh.  He was born and raised in Raleigh and attended North Carolina State University.

Taylor, his wife Allison and their daughters live on East Sycamore Street in the beautiful Strickland – Temple house, built in 1915.

Debbie Beavers, Director 2025-2028

Debbie Beavers is a retired board certified teacher of 31 years.  She taught Social Studies and Language Arts in Wake County, at Zebulon Middle School, Zebulon Elementary and Lockhart in Knightdale.

Born and raised in Elizabeth City, she has lived in Zebulon since 1977.  She is married to Dr. K C Beavers, III and has one daughter, Elizabeth.

Debbie has been very active in the community serving with the Zebulon Chamber of Commerce,  Methodist University  Alumni Board, Zebulon Junior Women’s Club, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, United Methodist Women, Meals on Wheels, Zebulon Baptist Church and Little River Historic Society. She enjoys traveling and organizing trips, as a group leader, for Education First Go Ahead and PML Tours.  She also enjoys playing cards, especially bridge.

As a Social Studies major, Debbie enjoys learning about history. She has been a long-time  member of Preservation Zebulon.  Preserving our town’s history is important to her, for future generations.  She hopes Zebulon’s history will be preserved for our community and its future.

Brent Burns – Director

Brent Burns was born in Hutchison, Kansas and moved from Phoenix, Arizona in 2009 making his forever home the beautiful state of North Carolina. 

His passion has always been woodworking, construction, and remodeling, especially in the preservation of old homes including his own located in Zebulon, NC where he resides with his wife Diana Burns. They are owners of the Jethro and Addie Stell House on North Arendell Avenue, on last year’s Historic Homes Tour.

Deb Hanlon – Director 2025 – 2028

Deborah Hanlon grew up in Connecticut and has lived in several states before settling in Zebulon, NC, in 2007, after leaving her position as General Manager at Safelite Autoglass in Texas. Early on, she became involved with the community by participating in Races for the Boys and Girls Club and the Chamber of Commerce’s Litter Sweep Program.

In May 2019, Deborah retired from her role as Account Manager at US Foods. She began volunteering for the Boys and Girls Club’s Read and Feed Program. She continues to Volunteer for the for the Annual Golf Tournament and Races benefiting the Boys and Girls Club. In 2020 Deborah joined the Chamber of Commerce in various roles.

Deborah is an active member of the Zebulon Woman’s Club. In 2022 she began  participating and volunteering for Preservation Zebulon, the Historic Home Tour, Historic Downtown Walk and Zebulation. Deborah believes History should be appreciated, respected, shared and a learning tool for the future. She appreciates Zebulon’s history and it’s deep rooted families.

Jeff Price – Director 2025 – 2028

Jeff is a lifelong resident of Zebulon and holds an undergraduate degree with a double major in political science and history and a master’s degree in public administration. He retired in 2022 after a 42+ year career with the with the NC Department of Health and Human Services where he helped write policy and operational procedures for the Social Security disability program.

He is the only person to serve three terms as president of his national professional association and he is active in many of Zebulon’s civic organizations, serving six terms as President of the Zebulon Lions Club and currently serves as the permanent President and Secretary for the Zebulon Lions Club Foundation, Inc. In retirement, he is a certified vision screener and assists Lions Clubs across the State in vision screening clinics for children and adults. Jeff is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor and is also a recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellowship, the International Association of Lions Clubs highest award for humanitarian service.

Jeff’s maternal ancestor, Isaac Hunter, and Joel Lane agreed to sell the land that the City of Raleigh was built upon to the State of North Carolina, with the final details of the purchase worked out in Isaac Hunter’s Tavern. Jeff believes preservation efforts are not just about saving a building here or there. Preservation efforts are in the business of saving communities and the values they embody.

Brent Burns was born in Hutchison, Kansas and moved from Phoenix, Arizona in 2009 making his forever home the beautiful state of North Carolina. 

His passion has always been woodworking, construction, and remodeling, especially in the preservation of old homes including his own located in Zebulon, NC where he resides with his wife Diana Burns. They are owners of the Jethro and Addie Stell House on North Arendell Avenue, on last year’s Historic Homes Tour.