More About Me

Growing Up

by sistervoyles

My early years

I grew up in a small town in Texas called Hudson Oaks, about 25 miles west of Fort Worth. If you look for it on a map, it’s tough to find. Hudson Oaks is a community close to Weatherford, Texas, which is much easier to locate, but still relatively small (population was about 20K people when I lived there).

Two of my brothers and I

Weatherford is just what you think about when you think about a town in Texas. People wear cowboy hats and boots and say y’all. There’s an annual festival called the Peach Festival, an adorable downtown (aka The Square), and the kindest people in the world. Although our town didn’t have many members of my church, my hometown ward was wonderful and I had so many amazing friends, both in and out of the church. I felt very supported and love by the community that surrounded me. These experiences helped me prepare for my mission.

My Texas heritage

Texas Flag

It’s no secret that Texas is proud of its heritage. My community was no exception. The elementary schools in Weatherford, for example, are named after heroes of Texas history: Stephen Austin, David Crockett (my elementary!), William Travis, etc.

As a kid I was raised to have pride in my state. Along those lines, I –

  • learned the Texas pledge at a young age
  • have never found an brand of ice cream as good as Bluebell
  • love to drive around to see bluebonnets in the spring
  • made the pilgrimage to the Alamo (Remember the Alamo!)
  • refuse to call grilled burgers and hotdogs “barbecue”– barbecue is brisket, ribs, sausage, pulled pork!
  • love, love, love Tex-Mex food!

My family

I’m the youngest of 9 kids, 5 girls and 4 boys. One of my brothers passed away in 2009, while I was serving my mission. Growing up in a big family was loud, busy, and so fun. I was lucky to grow up with nieces and nephews of all ages, too, from those close in age to me and more like cousins, to the babies I adore.

My hometown community, Hudson Oaks, Texas

Gene Voyles park
Visiting the park named after my dad

My dad was active in local politics and helped found the town of Hudson Oaks in 1978. He served on the city council for over 25 years and then as mayor for two terms. There’s a park there now named after him, the Gene L. Voyles Park (pictured above!).

I graduated from Weatherford High School in 2006. Our mascot was the Kangaroos. That probably tells you everything you need to know about my high school experience…haha.

I studied hard in high school and graduated near the top of my class but didn’t really know what to do with my life. Following in the steps of my siblings, I left my hometown for BYU in the Fall of 2006.

Shortly after I graduated from high school, my parents sold their house in Texas that they had lived in for over 30 years and moved to a small town in Mississippi.