Fixer Upper star Joanna Gaines grew up in an all-girls household alongside her sisters Teresa Criswell and Mikey McCall. These three sisters exemplify what it truly means to have a sisterhood. As Mikey once said:
'Sisters and plants make the best kind of therapy.'
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Key takeaways
- Joanna, Mikey, and Teresa grew up in Kansas before the family moved to Texas.
- The sisters were raised by their American father, Jerry Stevens, and their South Korean mother, Nan Stevens.
- Joanna is the middle child.
- The Stevens sisters love large families. Joanna is a proud mother of five, and her sister Mikey is a mother of six.
Meet Teresa Criswell: The Eldest Sister
Teresa Ann Criswell, the eldest of the three Gaines sisters, is 50 years old as of February 2025. Born in December 1974, Teresa has been married to her husband, Tim Criswell, for over two and a half decades. Celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary in August 2024, Teresa shared her secret to their enduring love, writing:
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So much evidence of God’s kindness and grace. God’s redeeming power being experienced on the daily moment by moment. Tim has made me laugh and smile for over 26 years! So fun! We have a tradition where we do a progressive date—appetizers at one place, dinner at another, and end with desserts and coffee. Our life overall has been like a yummy chocolate cake with whip cream! A life of Yum… tasting and seeing; experiencing that God is so good.
Teresa and Tim reside in Austin, Texas. Their daughter Tristin Rohne tied the knot with Josiah Mark Rohne in 2023, adding another layer of joy to their family.
What Does Teresa Criswell Do for a Living?
Teresa is not just a devoted mother and wife but also a creative entrepreneur. She co-hosts the popular podcast 'OH...Teresa and Tristin' with her daughter Tristin. Together, they delve into topics like relationships, family life, and the ups and downs of daily living. Her YouTube channel, Let’s Talk with Teresa, and her blog, Triumphant Victorious Reminders with Teresa Ann, are filled with lifestyle and faith-based content that resonates with her audience.
As an author, Teresa has published several Christian-focused books for both kids and adults, including 5-Minute Devotions for Mom, 12-Week Bible Study for Moms, Pandemic Devotionals, and Daughters of the King. Her work reflects her deep faith and her commitment to inspiring others.
Mary Kay ‘Mikey’ McCall: The Youngest Sister
Mikey McCall, the youngest of the trio, is married to David McCall, and together they have six children. In 2018, Mikey and her family moved back to Waco, Texas, to be closer to Joanna after spending nine years away. Her home was even designed by Joanna and Chip Gaines during an episode of Fixer Upper on HGTV, showcasing their close-knit family ties.
Mikey chose to become a stay-at-home mom to focus on raising her children, but she hasn't shied away from entrepreneurship. In 2021, she launched Ferny’s, a plant store specializing in decorative flowers and plants. In 2022, she teamed up with Joanna for a show on the Magnolia Network called The Retro Plant Shop with Mikey and Jo, though she announced the closure of her retro plant shop in August 2024.
What Does Mikey McCall's Husband Do?
David McCall, Mikey’s husband, is a talented surgeon. He attended medical school at A.T. Still University-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) and earned his undergraduate degree from Baylor University. Hailing from Waco, Texas, David often accompanied his parents, who worked as medical missionaries in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Haiti, and Cuba.
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In an interview with ATSU News in July 2018, David revealed that his parents' work inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. He said:
That’s what led me into medicine. I felt the calling to do medical mission work, serving people here in the U.S., but also in developing nations.
Joanna Gaines' Relationship with Her Sisters
The bond between the Stevens sisters is nothing short of extraordinary. Joanna often celebrates her sisters on social media, and they frequently collaborate on various projects. For Siblings Day in April 2016, Joanna shared a heartfelt throwback photo with the caption, 'Sister love.'
Teresa once described Joanna as the family’s peacemaker, writing:
Jojo, you are a first-class peacemaker with a generous spirit, a heart of gold who has an ability to gather like I've never seen! I remember our times of sweet adventures as little girls. I love you, I adore you, and I'm so blessed to honor you on this amazing day—the day you were born, born to make a difference, to be the difference, and let others know they are here to do the same.
Joanna Gaines' Parents Have an Incredible Love Story
Joanna Gaines’ parents, Jerry Stevens and Nan Stevens, have a love story that's as inspiring as it is unique. Jerry, who is of Lebanese-German descent and was born in the United States, met Nan, a full Korean from Seoul, in 1969 while serving in the U.S. military in Seoul. They married in 1972 and have been together ever since.
In April 2023, Joanna took her entire family to Seoul to visit her mother’s birthplace. She shared a touching video of their trip, saying:
We convinced 24 members of our family to come with us to visit the place where my mother was raised. We met relatives we had only ever seen in photos. We saw the cherry blossoms in full bloom. We walked the same streets my mother did as a young girl... In a lot of ways, this trip felt like coming home. Somehow, connecting with my mother's past made my own story feel more complete.
Joanna Gaines’ siblings, Teresa Criswell and Mikey McCall, have been a steadfast support system for her, both professionally and personally. Their connection goes far beyond just being sisters—it’s a lifelong bond rooted in love and respect.
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