About the Innkeeper...

I am the Owner and Innkeeper of The Roanoke Inn Bed & Breakfast. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and moved with my family to San Diego, California when I was a child. I attended Eaton College in San Diego and became a Certified Legal Secretary.

I worked as a legal secretary for six years then decided to stay home and raise my two children, Dustin Echols and Tammy Adams. Several years later, I went back to work except this time in education, starting out as an Instructional Assistant in the primary school level and then as the Coordinator of a teaching credential program at San Diego State University.

During this time my daughter, Tammy, married a Marine, Gunnery Sergeant Ervin Adams, Jr., and gave birth to my two grandsons, Colson and Leighton. My son-in-law was transferred to Jacksonville, North Carolina in 2005 and had the audacity to take my daughter and two grandsons with him. So I showed him! I quit my job, sold my house, and moved to North Carolina too.

My son-in-law, bless his heart, even helped me move and allowed me to stay in his home for almost a year until I acquired my special Bed & Breakfast in Williamston. It’s all about family and following your dreams, and I pinch myself every day to validate this is the real thing.

While staying at my daughter’s I attended The Culinary Business Academy and became a Personal Chef.

So now I live the best of all worlds. I live close to my family and have the opportunity to entertain, cook, design and decorate all within my beautiful historic home. The only other improvement would be to also have my son move here from San Diego, California. I am working on him, however, he does enjoy his job and living at the beach in San Diego. But you never know…

My daughter, Son-In-Law and two grandsons

My California Kid

And Her Helpers…

I am surrounded by some very wonderful people—my family and friends. In between mothering my two and a half grandsons (that’s right—one more on the way!) my daughter, Tammy Adams, has been able to help me out occasionally in the kitchen or with technical support.

My dearest friend from California of 30+ years, Joanne Chappell, comes to visit me and I immediately put her to work painting, cleaning, food serving, or handling some computer tasks, in between some play time or touring too, of course.

Immediately upon arriving in Williamston, North Carolina, I befriended Jeanne Robertson, who I named “Just Jeanne”. She is so down to earth, very “Southern” and has been a tremendous help in every aspect of starting up The Inn. She even mows my lawn for me “for the exercise.” Of course, I told her any time she needs a workout she is more than welcome. Because she knows just about every person in town (yes, that’s right, many are kin) and has had experience in food serving and catering, she is my Lead Server.

She introduced me to Dianne Riccio, who helps serve and has graciously bailed me out at the last minute many times. She is so sweet, even when I constantly pull her from one task to do another.

Then there is Colby, a 16 year old high school student and future chef. He is a good cook already and will assist me, in between his studies, with some aspects of cooking and serving.

Daughter Tammy & grandson Leighton

Friend Joanne

Just Jeanne

Super server Dianne

Future chef Colby