Who’s Who in Tennessee Nursing Homes
Finding a photograph from an event in your youth, running into an old friend, seeing a car like the one you drove when you first got your driver’s license, hearing a favorite song or seeing a favorite television commercial … all of these things can take a person down “Memory Lane.”
This year, the Who’s Who in Tennessee Nursing Homes program encouraged caregivers to travel down “Memory Lane” with their patients. On their journeys, they encountered teachers, preachers, soldiers and songwriters. From a baseball player in the Negro Leagues to a marketing director at Coca-Cola, 99 patients from 78 facilities across Tennessee shared their inspiring, entertaining and remarkable stories.
“The program’s ‘Memory Lane’ theme emphasizes the importance of recounting past events in nursing home patients’ lives,” said THCA Executive Director Ron Taylor. “Helping patients reminisce about significant events not only helps them keep their memory skills intact, but it also allows them to share their stories with family members, friends and caregivers and preserve their memories for future generations. It is a privilege to honor these notable Tennesseans for their contributions to their families, communities and long-term care facilities.”
Since 1983, Who’s Who has recognized more than 1,400 notable nursing home patients for their accomplishments and contributions to society. This fall, THCA and the Tennessee Center for Assisted Living (TNCAL) will recognize the lifetime achievements of the inaugural class of Who’s Who in Tennessee Assisted Care Living Facilities.
Military Memories
Many patients in Tennessee’s nursing homes are members of “The Greatest Generation,” and many Who’s Who recipients shared their memories from the front lines of World War II. Military memories included flying fighter planes, sharp shooting, escorting famous generals and serving in the prestigious Blue Angels.
Henry Earl Buck, a patient at Westwood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, served in the European Theater from 1942 to 1945. Buck served as a high-speed radio operator and as an escort for a general during the last few months of the war.
For many Who’s Who recipients, military service did not end when the war was completed. Robert William Hoffman, a patient at Hardin County Nursing Home, attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1943 with his pilot’s license. He flew 15 missions over Europe and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he received a master’s degree in engineering from Purdue University and continued his Air Force career with the space program. Irvin Sewell Hoover, a patient at Community Care of Rutherford County, was a member of the Navy’s flight demonstration squad, the Blue Angels. Sewell joined the Navy during World War II, serving more than 20 years. After retiring from the Navy, he worked for the Air Force as a civilian employee.
While many women contributed either here at home or in the military during World War II, not nearly as many women pursued military careers. Cecelia Perfetti, a patient at St. Francis Nursing Home, served in World War II and Korea as an officer’s chauffeur and a sharp shooter during her 22-year military career.
Medical Memories
This year, memories of several nursing home patients included their time spent as caregivers – doctors, nurses and others who delivered medical care to those in need. Several Who’s Who honorees tended to patients in their communities, and some even worked in the nursing homes where they live, like Jo Pinson, who became a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at age 55. She worked at several hospitals and long-term care facilities, including working as a charge nurse at McKenzie Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, where she is now a patient.
Others with memories of their careers in medicine include Estelle Cuthbertson, a patient at Roan Highlands Nursing Center, who wanted to ensure the people in her community lived healthy lives and helped them as a registered nurse (RN) and a nurse practitioner. Bernice Duncan, a patient at Chester County Nursing Home, became a nurse after seeing a poster for the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. The war ended while Duncan was in nursing school in Memphis, so she became a nurse at Baptist Hospital and worked there for more than 30 years.
Dr. Nathan Horner, a patient at Laughlin Healthcare Center, served his community as a family physician for more than 50 years. He never missed a day of work and treated his patients from birth to death by delivering babies, setting broken arms, performing surgeries and whatever else was needed to keep them healthy.
Ministerial Memories
While some Who’s Who honorees addressed the physical needs of others, many tended to the spiritual needs of their communities. Whether serving as a local pastor or a missionary in a foreign land, these men and women made a difference in the lives of others through their ministries.
Troy Kathryn Cunningham, a patient at Sevier County Health Care Center, attended seminary in New Orleans and was appointed as a missionary by the North American Mission Board in 1948. She taught school in the bayous of Louisiana and worked as a missionary at Baptist Centers throughout the United States for more than 35 years.
Martin Luther Reed, a patient at Laughlin Healthcare Center, started preaching at age 25. He was a pastor at many churches until he retired for medical reasons at age 62. Despite being in a wheelchair, he still fills in for local churches when they need a pastor and serves as a spiritual leader for other patients in his facility by leading devotions and church services.
Musical Memories
Living in a state with such rich musical traditions, it’s no surprise that several patients are known for their musical contributions. Lillie McAlpin Page, a patient at Community Care of Rutherford County, is a noted Nashville songwriter. Page has worked with Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Eddy Arnold and several other county music performers; her most famous song is “Home of the Blue,” which was featured in the 2005 film “Walk the Line.”
Amanda Luella Barron, a patient at Life Care Center of Missionary Ridge, still plays piano for church services and musical groups who visit her facility. She and her husband, John, were members of a musical group called “The Barron’s Silvertones” — they traveled around singing with Mrs. Barron playing the piano. They had their own Sunday-morning radio show during which they played gospel music.
Sarah Nell Cooley Reeve, a patient at Life Care Center of Red Bank, has shared her musical talents with many people in Georgia and Tennessee, including celebrities like Charlton Heston, U.S. Sens. Fred Thompson and Bill Frist, and President Gerald Ford. Reeve began playing piano at age 8 and attended the Cadek Conservatory of Music. She has served as church organist at churches in Chattanooga, Atlanta and Calhoun, Ga., and has led several children’s choirs.
These are just a few of the memories shared during this year’s Who’s Who in Tennessee Nursing Homes. Click here for a complete list of honorees’ profiles.