This Nashville couple adopted two boys. They got a whole new family along the way
After years of painful attempts to have kids, Perri and A T Owens decided to adopt and the couple brought along the boys' foster parents to create one big blended family
By Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean
Published Dec. 23, 2024
Almost three years ago, Perri and Anthony (A.T.) Owens, adopted brothers Jabreh and Jonathan, then 10 and 6, on Dec. 22, 2021. But they walked out of the courtroom that day with an entire new family.
In the 12 months prior, the Owenses also had fallen in love with the family who had fostered the brothers for three years, Josh and Beth Dickerson of Franklin, and the Dickersons' three biological kids. And the Owenses wanted their sons to stay connected to the people who'd housed and cared for those boys for three years.
So the two families all get together about a half dozen times a year usually around the kids' birthdays, sporting events and holidays. And always for an annual double-family flag football game around Thanksgiving that they've dubbed "The Turkey Bowl."
Perri and A.T. Owens met at a 1999-to-2000 Y2K New Year's Eve party where, after some flirty conversation, he told her he didn't have a pen so she should just put her number in his phone. The two got married five years later at Riverwood Mansion in East Nashville.
The power couple — he a longtime football coach and sports consultant, she an exec at a big health care corporation — didn't talk much about kids at first. They were focused on their careers.
Four or five years later, though, Perri Owens, around 35 years old, said she wanted to get pregnant, and the couple decided she would stop taking birth control. But Perri Owens had a condition called polycystic ovary syndrom (PCOS) — large ovaries with small cysts on the edges — that made conceiving challenging. After two years of trying, the couple went to a fertility specialist, and after a second round of hormone therapy failed, Perri Owens said she started worrying. "I felt broken," she said. "I really struggled with it."
Strengthening children and families with the healing love of Christ through counseling and social services
The 2023 annual Turkey Bowl flag football gathering of the blended Dickerson/Owens family in November 2023 in Nashville.
From the left: Beth Dickerson, Jabreh Owens, Apollo, Josh Dickerson, Paisley Dickerson, Jonathan Owens, Anthony Owens (AT), Paxton Dickerson, Perri Owens and Peyton Dickerson.
Beth Dickerson with her then foster son Jabreh at his pre-K graduation in 2018 in Franklin, Tenn.
Owens family: Perri, Jabreh, Jonathan, and Anthony (AT).
AGAPE’sMission
Strengthening children and families with the healing love of Christ through counseling and social services
Chandler Means Executive Director cmeans@agapenashvilleorg
Dr Jason Cooper Director of Counseling and Related Services jcooper@agapenashvilleorg
Lori Davidson, CPA Business Director ldavidson@agapenashvilleorg
Traci King Landon, MBA Director of Operations and Outreach tklandon@agapenashvilleorg
Ami Parker, MMFT Director of Social Services aparker@agapenashvilleorg
Lisa Shacklett, MBA Director of Marketing and Donor Relations lshacklett@agapenashvilleorg
Tayler Lopez, MSW Director of Domestic Violence Services tlopez@agapenashvilleorg
Board Members
Tara Swafford, Chair
John Stallworth, Vice-Chair Phillip Young, Secretary Shounika Nelson, Treasurer
Brad Arnold
Stephen Bridges
Logan Hartline
Loren Sanders
Rubel Shelly
From the Desk of Chandler Means
“We
A couple of weeks ago, I was in a meeting talking about the amazing things the Lord is doing through AGAPE in our community Someone asked a great question: “How are you planning for growth?” The easy answer would have been our board-approved strategic plan starting in 2024. But that felt a bit too planned and empty.
I had just been sharing about the new programs and opportunities that came our way over the past year, along with some stories of God working in the lives of the children and families we serve You can read about some of them in this issue of AGAPE in Action, including the stories of the Owens and Dickerson families on the cover.
And then it hit me: did we really plan for those, or did the Lord just provide them?
Strategic plans are good and necessary, but the truth is AGAPE has grown because the Lord has given us opportunities, and His people have provided AGAPE with the resources, either right when we needed them or for future needs, so we can say yes to those opportunities.
Over the past three fiscal years, AGAPE’s budget has grown by more than 30% to over $6,000,000 in this current fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 A lot of that is program growth (81% of all funds are used for programs), and some of it is just the cost of doing business and ministry in these inflationary times. (You wouldn’t believe how much liability and health insurance have gone up well, maybe you would )
But here’s the great news: through you, our supporters in the ministry of serving children and families with the love of Christ, the Lord continues to provide the funding we need to meet our financial obligations and grow as the Lord presents opportunities to serve the vulnerable in our community. Each year, approximately 45% of our budgeted revenue comes through the support of individuals, churches, donors, and private foundations AGAPE continues to serve because you continue to care about those AGAPE serves
God’s provision and your support this past year reminds me of the story of David’s praise to God in 1 Chronicles 29 when the people of Israel gave generously to build the temple: “Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
On behalf of the AGAPE Board of Directors and the more than eighty staff and contractors who work and serve for AGAPE’s mission and ministry, we thank God for you always, remember you in our prayers, and ask that you continue to remember AGAPE in yours
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Chandler Means Executive Director
P S As the demand for AGAPE’s services continues to grow, so does our need for additional staff and office space. We now have an exciting opportunity to purchase the doctor's office building next door, which would allow us to expand and better serve our community. We invite you to join us in prayer as we thoughtfully consider this opportunity. Stay tuned we look forward to sharing more details with you soon!
(Story continued from page 1)
AGAPE IN ACTION
In July 2019, Perri and A.T. Owens signed up for classes with Christian nonprofit AGAPE Nashville to become foster parents
After training, home inspections, background checks, and financial screenings, the Owenses got their firstfosterplacement within two months in 2020.
Jabreh and his younger brother, Jonathan were 8 and 4 at the time and had been with another foster family for three years, the Owenses were told. And that family doesn't want to adopt the boys How about keeping them for a weekend for respite, to give that foster family a break? Then you can meet the brothers and see if you would like to adopt them, the agency told them
Early on, the two families got together for a youth football game, and Perri Owens admired how protective foster mom Beth Dickerson was and how the foster mom had a no-nonsense, direct approach with the boys.
"Oh my God, Beth was the white version of me!" Perri Owens said, laughing "A real mama bear "
Turns out the Dickersons were also sizing up the Owens family.
Beth and Josh Dickerson had three older biological kids, and they had fallen in love with Jabreh and Jonathan. Jabreh, though, needed extra help with school work and "we didn't have the capacity to get him the one-on-one attention he needed," Josh Dickerson said, "which was frustrating for us and for him." After praying about it — a lot — Beth Dickerson knew the two boys belonged with another family
"It wasn’t because I didn’t love them," she said as tears began falling down her face, "but it never seemed like the right thing I never felt peace about it that our home was a forever placement " Beth Dickerson insisted on being involved in choosing the next parents for Jabreh and Jonathan Though not a deal-breaker, she thought it might be better for the boys if their adoptive parents were Black
At that youth football game, Beth Dickerson was chatting with Perri Owens when one of the boys came up and started talking Excuse me! Perri Owens told the boy firmly, when we're talking, you don't interrupt "I loved it," Beth Dickerson said with a huge smile "We're not necessarily about 'gentle' parenting, more about tough love I told Perri later how much I liked how she handled that " That was the start of transferring the boys into the Owens family home. The Dickersons and Owenses stayed in touch and visited often. At one point, the Dickersons asked the Owenses if they wanted the Dickersons to stop coming around and give the them space. And maybe Jabreh and Jonathan to start referring to the Dickersons as "aunt" and "uncle" instead of mom and dad. The answers: No and no.
The Owenses told the Dickersons — after a period of separation — to please stay in the boys' lives And it's OK if the boys occasionally call the Dickersons mom and dad. The way the Perri and A.T. Owens see it, the more support for the boys, the better. "We’re trying to make it normal that all the love the boys have in their lives is good, and good for them," Perri Owens said.
The families get together five to eight times a year, and the individual kids regularly reach out to their bonus parents to get feedback on all sorts of things — school, romance, even how to do media interviews. The unique relationship has been a blessing for all involved, the two families said. "There are a lot of things in life and the world you don’t want influencing your kids," Josh Dickerson said. "Perri and A.T. are unexpected blessings."
"A lot of people start with how amazing it is that we ‘saved Jabreh and Jonathan,' but they saved us in so many ways," Perri Owens said. "As the boys became part of our amazing and supportive family, we treasured the unexpected gift of the entire Dickerson crew. We’re honored that our blended family comes with so many blessings. In fact, we’re all better because of our differences — Black, white, city and rural. None of that matters; we’re just family."
A Christmas Eve 2017 picture at the Nashville Zoo with Josh and Beth Dickerson’s biological and foster children. from left, Paxton, Peyton, Paisley, Jabreh and Jonathan.
Josh Dickerson hoists his former foster son, Jonathan Owens, onto his shoulders after a youth football games in November 2022 at Green Hill High School in Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
AGAPE IN ACTION
Tennessee Strong Families
Governor Bill Lee has prioritized expanding support for mothers, children, and families experiencing crisis pregnancies. One key initiative is the TN Strong Families Grant, designed to provide critical resources and care. AGAPE is honored to be a recipient of this grant, allowing us to further our mission of serving families in Middle Tennessee with compassion and support.
“Pro-life is much more than protecting the lives of the unborn – it’s about the dignity of every human being.”
-Governor Bill Lee
Thanks to funding from Governor Bill Lee’s TN Strong Families Grant and partnership with Berry’s Chapel Church of Christ, AGAPE is launching The Dwelling Place, a program designed to promote and support healthy pregnancies and births The Dwelling Place meets the tangible needs of mothers, children, and families facing crisis pregnancies, ensuring they have the resources and care necessary for their well-being
Through this program, AGAPE case managers assess and identify needs during the prenatal and postnatal periods, providing essential assistance such as:
Baby equipment
Prenatal and postnatal care items
Transportation to doctor’s appointments
Counseling services
Housing and job readiness programming
Translation services
Transitional housing
Bill assistance
Services are designed for pregnant women 18 years old and up. Complete the Interest Form (see QR code) to learn more.
Berry’s Chapel is providing a home, currently undergoing renovations, for transitional housing on their campus The Brentwood Hills Church of Christ joined the effort with a special contribution, and funds are being used to prepare and equip the home Transitional housing will be available for four mothers and their babies in the home for up to one year
Generous Donor & Mt. Juliet Church Help AGAPE Open Home for Foster Teen Boys
Members of the Mt. Juliet Church of Christ have a deep passion for serving vulnerable children. Recently, they have been dedicated to supporting a groupofboysfrom LebanonYouthAcademy,aresidentialtreatmentcenterforboysages12 to 17. When member LacieHaynes reached out to AGAPE seeking homes for boys completing the program, one particular teen, Mike, had already formed a strong bond with the Mt. Juliet teens and their families. They were determined to help him find a loving home.
At the same time, an AGAPE donor and volunteer—keenly aware of the challenges in placing teen boys in foster homes— approached Executive Director Chandler Means with a generous offer to fund a home, trusting AGAPE to provide the professional care and supportneededtohelptheseboysgrow andthrive.
In January, AGAPE purchased a home in Lebanon to serve up to four teen boys. On January 9, the Mt. Juliet teens helped foster parents Brandon and Abigail Moore move in, and shortly after, Price Point Furniture delivered brand-new furnishings to make the house a home.
This effort is a testament to how Godlymenandwomensteppedintotheneed,embracedthechallenge,andworkedtogether to create a Christian home forteenboysinfostercare.
If you or your church recognize needs in your community, AGAPE is here to support you Our team of experienced social workers, domestic violence advocates, and professional counselors are ready to partner with you, offering expertise and guidance to find meaningful solutions and improve lives
AGAPE IN ACTION
Meet Foster Parents Troy and Becky Allen
For over 25 years, Troy and Becky Allen have opened their hearts and home to children in need, fostering 44 children and raising seven of their own including four adopted. Since September 2024, they have led AGAPE’s Maria House in Clarksville, a refuge for pregnant and new foster mothers.
To fully support these young moms and their babies, Troy transitioned from his role at Clarksville Christian Academy to work independently as a handyman, giving him the flexibility to assist Becky in daily appointments and care. But they don’t walk this path alone. The entire Allen family is invested in these young mothers, empowering them to recognize their strength and potential while also providing respite care ensuring Troy and Becky can still cheer on their daughter at her college games.
AGAPE is deeply grateful to the Allen family and the 55 other families who provide safe, faith-filled homes to foster children in our care. If you’d like to learn more about fostering or supporting families like the Allens, join us for our next Foster Care Information Session on April 7 or visit agapenashville.org.
Tom Burton Society Luncheon
The Tom Burton Society is a dedicated and generous community of ministry supporters who form the foundation of AGAPE’s Annual Fund Campaign. Each year, we come together to honor the legacy of Tom and Chris Burton and celebrate how AGAPE continues its vital mission. Tom faithfully served as AGAPE’s Executive Director for 30 years,leavingalastingimpactoncountlesslives.
This year’s luncheon was held on January 30—what would have been Tom’s 79th birthday—at Hillsboro Church of Christ, bringing together those committed to furthering hisvision.
To learn more about the Tom Burton Society, contact Sam Moran, Associate Director of Development,atsmoran@agapenashville.orgor615-781-3000x256.
This Mother’s Day, celebrate the women who have shaped your life with a Living Honor or Memorial donation to AGAPE in their name Honor your mother, sister, or aunt Uplift a young mother, teacher, foster mom, neighbor, or friend
A Living Honor donation is a meaningful way to show appreciation, while a Memorial donation honors the lasting legacy of those who have passed All honorees will receive a special acknowledgment from AGAPE before Mother’s Day on May 11, and names will be recognized in the June AGAPE in Action newsletter
Look for full details in your mailbox in early April, or visit agapenashville org to learn more.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Troy and Becky Allen, pictured with 2 of their 4 grandchildren.
MEMORIAL GIFTS:
GEORGE FOSTER ALDRIDGE
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
JANE WILLIS ALDRIDGE
Don and Betsye Ledford
MARTHA ADREAN WHALEY ALDRIDGE
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
MAXINE ANDERSON
Bob and Linda Markus
DR. GARY ARMSTRONG
Cynthia and Keith Rosenblum
MARGARET FERN LOGGINS AYMETT
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
C.S. BAKER
Gary and Portia Baker
KIRBY WAYNE BATES, JR.
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
WILLIAM JERRY BAXTER
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
LORA SUE BEARD
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
JOHN ALLEN BERLIN
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
EDITH and CHARLIE BILBREY
Charlene and Gary Groves
Brenda Stubblefield
JOYCE MARIE HOLDER BLALOCK
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
NICK BOONE
Martin and Martha Rothschild
JUANITA T. BOYCE
William and Helen Totty
LOGAN BRUMIT
Molly, Cindy and Clint Brumit
JAMES BUMPUS SR.
Bob and Linda Markus
BIRDIE MAY HOBBY BUTLER
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
ULIVER CLAYTON BUTLER
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
DONALD L. CAMPBELL
Molly, Cindy and Clint Brumit
Rodney and Carole English
Troy and Elaine Feltner
Mary Nixon
Martha Pullen
AGAPE IN ACTION
Memorial and Living Honor Gifts
November 15, 2024 - February 13, 2025
JUNE LUNA CAMPBELL
Molly, Cindy and Clint Brumit
Don Campbell
Mary Nixon
Martha Pullen
DANNY CASE
Bob and Linda Markus
JAMES W. COSTELLO
Helen Costello
SARAH DUNNIVANT HAYNES
COX
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
ERIC CRAWFORD
William J Burns
John and Lori Crawford
Frances and Thomas George
Vickie Nicholson
Judy Rister
Mark and Kayla Zumbro
ADELL LEVERETTE DAUGHRITY
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
DONALD E. DICKSON
Robert and Katherine Allison
RONNIE DOAK
Brian and Rachel Pritchett
GARNER EZELL
Bob and Linda Markus
LOUISE FLEEMAN
Bob and Linda Markus
JOHN FOSTER
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
SHERMAN GARRETT
Sherrie Guenther
PEGGY GENTRY
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
JOSEPH RICHARD GEORGE
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
JOSHUA (JOSH) GIBBS
Nancy Brubaker
James and Becky Clark
Jeff and Kathleen Cocher
John and Carol Dawson
Hilton and Sallie Dean
David and Lisa Flow
Kaye and David Gibbs
Steve Harris
Todd and Jana McCullough
Wayne and Vickie Tomlinson
JAMES GORDON
Judy Hornaday
RICK GRIMES
June Kelly Grimes
MERYL ANN FOWLER HARRIS
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
FAITH ALEXIS HAYNES
Vivian Haynes
JAMES HERRING, JR.
Anne Burgess
Ernest and Peggy Burgess
Faye Elam
Dennis Henson
Gerald and Kelly Lester
Ellie and Bill Vermillion
SHARON BEECH HIGGINBOTHAM
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
JAMES CLARENCE HOBBY
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
THOMAS CORDELL HOBBY
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
EMILY HUNT
Bob and Linda Markus
PHILIP HUNTER
Teddy J. Davis
MARGARET JANE BRADFORD
JONES
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
GIFFORD KEITH JORDAN
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
Don and Betsye Ledford
SHIRLEY JOYCE ALDRIDGE
JORDAN
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
THELMA JUSTISS
Rick and Gayla Cox
Lyle Lankford
JACKIE KEATON
Bob and Linda Markus
CHRIS KEEN
Sally McLaughlin
PATRICIA ANN KESSLER
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
JEAN KILBURN
Bob and Linda Markus
KATHERINE LEIGH ANN (KATIE)
KIMES
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
DELLA KRICK
Bob and Linda Markus
ANTHONY LAVOY LEDFORD
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
ANTHONY LAVOY LEDFORD, SR.
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
DELWIN LEDFORD
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
EULA MAI COLLINS LEDFORD
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
SARA LOUISE BUTLER LEDFORD
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
JAMES LEIGHTON
Bob and Linda Markus
QUENTIN LIGGETT
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
Don and Betsye Ledford
RICHARD SCOTT
LISELLA, MD
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
LINDA LANNING LOYD
Bob and Linda Markus
DAVID LYTLE
Steve and Donna Moffitt
PAUL MABRY
Bob and Linda Markus
EMMY BEA MARKUS
Bob and Linda Markus
AUBREY WADE MILLER
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
FRANK CLAIR
MUSGRAVE III
Don and Betsye Ledford
KEN NASH
Bonds Southeast, Inc
Greg and Mary Lee Nash
HAROLD ORUM
Allyson Orum
JACKIE OSBORN
Bob and Linda Markus
DOROTHY ANN PHIFER PARSONS
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
ROY PERRY
Bob and Linda Markus
JO MURRIEL PIGG
Don and Betsye Ledford
ANN QUALLS
Melanie and Joe Bodiford
DONNA RAYFIELD
Bob and Linda Markus
SANDRA REED
Bob and Linda Markus
RONALD ROBINSON
Troy and Elaine Feltner
DAVID SCIORTINO, SR.
Gerry Sciortino
Jim and Linda Arnett
AUDA and CLETA SIMMONS
Ashley Birch
Jeremy and Leanne Hayes
BILL SISK
Bob and Linda Markus
GEORGE SLOAN
Henry and Tayler Lopez
WILLIAM M. and DAISY L. SMILEY
Jeffrey and Susan Smiley
AARON SMITH
Jonathan and Carolyn Taylor
JOANN SMITH
Bob and Linda Markus
LOUISE WILLIAM SPAIN
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
MARY JANE RICHARDSON SPIVEY
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
MARY STEWART
Bob and Linda Markus
BONNIE OWEN STRICKLAND
Ron and Kimberly Peacher
JERRY STUBBLEFIELD
Charlene and Gary Groves
ELEANOR WREN TAYNOR
Bob and Linda Markus
EDWINA TERRY
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
Don and Betsye Ledford
GWENDOLYN PIGG TUCKER
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
Don and Betsye Ledford
JERRY TUCKER
Jim and Linda Arnett
DAN TURBEVILLE
The Jacquets
Michael and Betty Myers
WILL T. VANCE
Charles and Cora Kimbrough
MERLE C. VANVLEET
Jim Luther
ANNA ELIZABETH WALKER
Sam and Brenda Ezell
AGAPE IN ACTION
Memorial and Living Honor Gifts
November 15, 2024 - February 13, 2025
KAY ALDRIDGE WATSON
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
JAMES WEEKS
Bob and Linda Markus
JOANN WELLS
Judy Hornaday
CHARLOTTE WILLIAMS
Steve Williams
STEVE WILLIAMS
John and Kathryn Roberson
DON BRUCE WINTERS
Jerry and Loretta V. Winters
JIMMY WOLAVER
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
PATSY BLASINGIM GIPSON WOODS
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
CHARLES DANNY YOUNG
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
JEFFREY ALLEN YOUNG
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
MARY JANE HAILE YOUNG
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
LIVING HONOR GIFTS:
JOSH and JEANETTE ABBASI
Gary and Sheila Clark
DONNA ACKERMAN
David Ackerman
RONALD and NANCY ALDRIDGE and FAMILY
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
TROY MICHAEL and TERRIE
LYNN YOUNG ALDRIDGE
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
WAYNE ALDRIDGE and FAMILY
Jackie and Norma Aldridge
JOSH ALLEN
Kevin and Libby Collins
LEE ALLEN
Kevin and Libby Collins
MISS ANN BECKER
Richard and Marilyn Glass
WILLIAM and FRANCES
BENNETT
Sue Anderson
BRASSELL CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, and GREAT GRANDCHILDREN
