Autumn McClelland, a proud resident of Teays Valley, takes us on a journey into her vibrant family life and the warmth of her Mill Creek Crossing neighborhood. Alongside her partner Keith Schongar and their daughter, Navy Schongar and her nephew, Caleb Johnson, Autumn shares the joys, traditions, and community spirit that define their lives.

Autumn, a seasoned Mortgage Lender with Gateway Mortgage, is deeply rooted in Teays Valley, having been born and raised there. Keith, originally from Summit, New Jersey, and Autumn met during their senior year at WVU, with Keith ultimately making the  move to the valley. "No chance was I moving to New Jersey!" Autumn playfully remarks.

Their family is a dynamic mix of ages and interests. Navy, the energetic 7-year-old, is a first-grader at West Teays Elementary School, while Caleb, 19, graduated from Hurricane High School last year. Caleb has embarked on a career as a crew leader for Crede Lawn Care, a local landscaping business. The family also welcomed a furry member, Apollo, a one-year-old puppy who was brought home as a surprise by Caleb.

The family's favorite vacation destinations include beaches in North Carolina, Florida, and New York. Autumn shares, "Every trip is fun! " Autumn added, “We recently added Los Angeles to the list, too. But I think we’ve enjoyed our little weekend getaways to Great Wolf Lodge and Ace Adventure just the same!

As for sports, the family cheers for the Steelers, she offered, “My grandpa always says, if you live a good Christian life, when you die, you’ll go to Heinz Field. The family also roots for WVU and Autumn laughs, “Keith is a Vikings fan, so we pretend to be fans, too.”

Family dinners bring everyone together, with a staple being Roast Beef and noodles—a classic passed down from Autumn's grandmother. "I do make a mean homemade mac-n-cheese that Navy loves, too," Autumn adds.

Revealing a quirky family secret, she mentions, "My neighbors probably don’t know I’m a mortgage lender, and have been in the industry for 7 years! Also, Navy loves to 'ding dong ditch' our neighbors. They probably do not know that 1) it’s Navy, and 2) I have no idea or involvement with her little game lol."

The  family embraces traditions, both heartfelt and lighthearted. Every May, they visit the cemetery to commemorate Autumn's brother, Caleb's dad, who passed away in 2008. “We’ve been doing this since Navy was an infant. We try to make it a special day and spend it together, Autumn said. Additionally, they have a knack for creative Halloween costumes, Autumn commented, “two years ago, we dressed up as the cartoon PJ Masks. Last year, we dressed as the Encanto characters. Caleb was one of the sisters, Luisa—it was a hit. This year we were Barbie. I was “crazy Barbie.” Apparently not a lot of people had seen the Barbie movie yet, so it was a bit embarrassing.”

Autumn's connection to Teays Valley runs deep, having attended Hurricane High School and WVU. The family has been part of the Mill Creek Crossing neighborhood since 2019, relishing the comradery and community spirit that defines the area. Autumn highlights the strong support system within the community, saying, "My favorite part of the valley is the comradery our community has. We show up for each other."

When it comes to relaxation, the family enjoys "joy riding," as Navy puts it, through the valley with uplifting music, creating cherished moments with the windows down. Autumn adds, “We even joy ride in the winter, just with the heat blasting as loud as our music. It’s a family favorite.”

Autumn told us about Navy and Caleb's activities. “Navy danced for Kelle Boggs Dance Studio until Covid hit. Since, she has played softball at the middle school, and she is in gymnastics at Famous AllStars. Caleb was an athlete, too. He was the kicker for the high school his senior year and was a stud on the soccer field. Now he spends his time hunting and working out.”

Despite busy schedules, Autumn strives to stay connected to the community, “I do my best to

attend fun events we have in the valley, but life gets busy, as we all know, and sometimes I do fall short here. I  stay connected to the community just within my day-to-day work life, though. Helping people buy homes in our area definitely keeps me feeling connected to the community.

As their story unfolds in Teays Valley, Autumn McClelland and her family embody the spirit of connection, traditions, and the vibrant community that defines their home in Mill Creek Crossing. Autumn concludes, “It’s pretty cool living in a town where you’re surrounded by supportive and kind humans, and I think we nail it.”