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Presbyterian Homes Celebrates 60 Years of Service! – Presbyterian Homes of Georgia celebrates its 60th Anniversary of serving senior adults. Celebration speakers photographed above are (front row l-r): Mr. Fritz Orr, resident and former board member; Dr. Hugh Ward, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Moultrie (former Board member); Dr. Frank H. McElroy, Jr., President, CEO; Dr. W. Glenn Doak, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Pastor of Athens First Presbyterian Church; (back row) Chaplain Richard Hartsfield, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Quitman; and Chad Carter, Interim Executive Director of Presbyterian Home, Quitman. Submitted photo
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Presbyterian Homes notches 60 years
QUITMAN — Born of a question from an elderly congregant of First Presbyterian Church in Quitman, Presbyterian Homes of Georgia marked 60 years of ministry this year with a grand celebration on the Quitman campus Saturday, September 19, 2009.
Friends and supporters joined residents and staff in the celebration with a special program, reception, campus tours, a look back at a tradition of caring, and a glimpse at Presbyterian Homes today. A highlight of the event was the recognition of employees contributing 25 plus years of service: Lillie Ruth Newsome, 45; Martha Jowers, 42; Rosetta “Doll” Bivins, 41; Frank H. McElroy, Jr., 38; Helen Watts, 36; Cynthia Harris, 32; Bertha Brown, 31; Ethel Smith, 31; Jessie M. Arnold, 29; Betty Stroud, 28; Robin Sumner, 27; LouAnn Kelly, 26; and Eloise Watts, 25. Presbyterian Homes of Georgia is a Christian ministry dedicated to providing exceptional services to enhance the quality of life for senior adults.
The seed for Presbyterian Homes was planted in 1942 when 76-year-old Corinne Hubert asked her pastor, Rev. Frank H. McElroy, Sr., if the church had a place to care for “older members who don’t want to become a burden to their families and friends.” While the immediate answer was no, building the ministry became Rev. McElroy’s mission. With the first donation of $50 from widow Mrs. J.W. ”Mother” Allen, a ministry began.
With the support of the Presbytery of Southwest Georgia, the Synod of Georgia and many others, the Presbyterian Home in Quitman opened in 1949. One of the first homes of its kind, the 10-bedroom center was filled to capacity within a year. Today, Presbyterian Homes of Georgia is a ministry of five presbyteries of Georgia. It includes four communities serving more than 1,000 seniors annually with a full continuum of care through independent retirement living, assisted living, skilled nursing care and hospice services.
“Presbyterian Homes is a place where no resident has ever been asked to leave due to outliving his or her financial resources,” said President and CEO Dr. Frank McElroy, Jr. “The Christian values of loving and caring for each other are lived here everyday. We have a beautiful campus, a committed staff and excellent quality of programs. That’s something to celebrate!”
