My full name is Elizabeth Derelle McFarland, and for some strange reason
my parents chose to call me by my most unusual middle name. Although I love
the name now, it is always a pain to correct my teachers to get them to
call me my "name". My advice to any expectant parent is to call
your child by their first name!
I was born in Georgia on November 4, 1975, and I have lived here ever since.
You could say I've lived a sheltered life. I've only flown once, to Minnesotta
and I've never been farther west than Mississippi.
I have two sisters, one 25 and the other 19. My younger sister and I are
very close. She was accepted to UGA this year, but she chose to take a year
off and "live life". I miss her dearly.
My mother, Charlotte, is incredible. She raised all three of us girls on
her own and did a wonderful job. In 1993 she married Alex Neal, who is now
my stepfather and whom I'm growing to care about deeply. I'm glad that my
mom has someone to take care of her because she has always taken care of
us, and now we've all left home. Although I must admit my home is only an
hour away, and I visit very often.
My father, Darryl (hence the name Derelle) and I aren't nearly as close
and I believe that has to do a lot with my stepmonster. She is a very unusual
person who for the last 10 years has not been willing to share my dad with
us.
Joey McMenomy is my boyfriend of three years. He is a Criminal Justice major
here at the University and is also a Junior. We've been dating since our
Senior year, but we went to rival high schools. He attended South Gwinnett
and I attended Brookwood. Joey proposed to me February 19, 1997. It was
very sweet and I was very surprised. We have a tentative date set for August
1998. Together we love and nourish our kitten, Boo. And believe me it takes
both of us, she is a huge responsibility, and very expensive. But she is
worth it!
Most of my time outside of studying and Joey goes to my sorority, Gamma
Phi Beta. I was just elected President and although I'm a bit nervous I
am looking forward to the responsibilty and the challenge, but this is only
my first week, so we'll see!