Interview by Abernathy Cochran Group intern Courtney Watson
Meet Celeste Marshall! Celeste is a criminal justice professional and was born and raised in Hall County. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1995. Celeste also is an author who wrote: “Memoirs of a Barren Woman: Faith, Fasting, Fervent Prayer” which shares her journey until she had her miracle baby, Trey.
She says her favorite restaurant in Gainesville is Senior Fiesta and she loves the chimichangas there.
We want to thank Celeste for recently spending time with us and telling us more about her life and love of Hall County. 
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “I’ve always had an interest in criminal justice and when I went to the University of Georgia I really enjoyed their program and it really caught my attention. I thought I’d do something on the lines of social work, but I ended up falling towards probation.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “I love Senior Fiesta, my favorite thing to get there is the grilled chicken chimichangas!”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I’m born and raised in Hall County, I’ve made it as far as Athens when I went to college and I’ve been here ever since.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “My Pastor Jentzen Franklin would be the most interesting person.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “I would choose to travel to the Bahamas just because of all the pictures I’ve ever seen. The water and the way it looks has always appeared to be very inviting.”
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “My favorite movie that I could probably watch over and over would be ‘The Notebook.’”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Do not follow the crowd, there is so much going on in the world today, but don’t follow the crowd.”
Q: What is your favorite type of music? What are three bands you’d like to see, dead or alive?
A: “My favorite type of music would be any kind of Christian music. I’d love to see Hillsong United, Elevation Worship, and Kirk Franklin live.
Q: Choosing anyone non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Where would you take them?
A: “I’d love to eat lunch with gospel singer, CeCe Winans, but I’d like to actually take her to Free Chapel and worship with her. She’s a very interesting, beautiful woman and I’d love to have a conversation with her.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I would like to go skydiving!”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “I would definitely have to say my church, Free Chapel, because of the diversity and global platform that it has.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “I see myself continuing to raise my 5-year-old son, Trey, and really seeing what God has in store for him. He is my miracle that God gave me.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I recently did the stage set up for the half time show of the Super Bowl and it was the craziest thing I’ve ever done.”
Q: What are three words or phrases that come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Love, rest, and family.”
Q: What current/former local business makes you most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “For me, I like the feel of the entire county but I’m a really big fan of Hops Kitchen.”
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A: “I would choose Sandra Bullock because I just love her!”
Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?
A: “A housekeeper, definitely”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.