Faces and Stories

Faces & Stories in Virginia’s Long Term Care Facilities

VHCA-VCAL member centers care for amazing individuals. Read more about some of the individuals who live in Virginia’s nursing and assisted living centers. We hope you are inspired by their service to our country and their communities, their compassion, their ability to overcome adversity, and their wisdom about how to create a life well-lived.

Nomination Package | Submit Your 2025 Nomination

Nomination deadline is November 1, 2024.

2024 Honorees

VHCA-VCAL member centers care for amazing individuals. Read more about some of the individuals who live in Virginia’s nursing and assisted living centers. We hope you are inspired by their service to our country and their communities, their compassion, their ability to overcome adversity, and their wisdom about how to create a life well-lived.

George “Andy” Tailaferro, 81

George who goes by “Andy” and the Tailaferros have been prominent figures in the city of Salem for years. The Taliaferro Complex is home to the Salem Civic Center and Salem Red Sox Stadium. Andy is a veteran who se

Paul Calloway, 58

Paul Calloway has been a long term care resident at Forest Health and Rehab for over 2 years. He has been such a joy to our community in so many ways. He grew up in Bedford County, Virginia. He enjoyed fishing and

Bobby Kagey, 82

Mr. Kagey says his favorite life experience was meeting his wife. She was working as an assistant manager in a dairy store when he went in one afternoon to buy some lunch meat for the week. He knew when he saw her,

Terry Peyton, 71

Ms. Terry Peyton’s impressive achievements throughout her life speak volumes about her dedication, passion, and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those around her. In her younger years, she exc

Shirley Freehill, 73

Ms. Shirley Freehill began her life’s journey when born in the Nation’s Capital. She moved to Fairfax, where she was reared with her four siblings. Her parents could only afford to support one child through col

Michael Shirley, 72

Michael was born in Greenville, South Carolina and his family moved to Roanoke when he was young when his father took a new teaching position. After attending a year of college, Michael joined the Coast Guard and s

Louis Albertia, 89

Never would I have thought that a little boy that grew up on a farm would become someone that would be in the spotlight. When I was younger, I was shy and overcame my stage fright. I was able to land acting roles f

Joan Edwards, 93

Ms. Joan Edwards has always had a love for animals. When Ms. Joan was raising her children, they delighted in their menagerie, including dogs, a cat, horses, ponies, a lamb, ducks, chickens, a rabbit, a guinea pig,

Janis Randolph, 70

Janis Randolph was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the third of 13 children. Her family later moved to Phenix, Virginia where she was active in the church and community. She attended Virginia State University in Petersbu

Ilse Fisher, 86

Ilse Fisher was born in April of 1937, in Crailsheim, Germany. She was one of five siblings; she has a sister who lives in New York and a sister and brother who still live in Germany, all with whom she stays in con

Anna Marks, 92

Anna Marks was born in Madison County Virginia in 1931. She attended school in Madison County and graduated from Madison County High School. Anna was from a large family, parents; John and Sallie and nine siblings.

Frances Lynch, 91

Frances was born in Roanoke in 1932 to a family of nine brothers and sisters. She grew up during the Great Depression and with limited resources, lived on ration stamps, oil lamps, and water carried from an outdoor

Eva Owens, 105

What makes Eva Owens remarkable is that she is 105 years old. Fewer than half of one percent of the total population is a centenarian. What is even more exceptional about Eva is that she has never experienced a lif

Elizabeth Ward, 87

Ms Betty is a valuable member of the Berea community. She is vibrant, social, and regularly seen at activities programing. She enjoys bingo, religious, and musical programing. Ms. Betty was a hairdresser for 52 yea

Doris Files, 75

Meet Doris, a remarkable resident at Falls Run Nursing & Rehabilitation, whose life is filled with inspiring achievements. Doris’s journey began when she was born and raised in Elmira, New York. She later graduated

Dennis Williams, 59

Dennis Williams was born in North Carolina. He moved to DC when he was in the third grade. He eventually worked for a landscaping company and became the manager of Whole Foods. Dennis has many hobbies but the most

Constance “Connie” Kramer, 83

Connie was born and raised in Giles County Virginia. Growing up, she loved playing basketball in school. Being influenced by her mother and sister who were both teachers, Connie attended Radford University when it

Charlotte Newman, 93

Ms. Charlotte Newman was born and raised in Ohio in 1930 and has led such an amazing and full life. In her younger years, Ms. Charlotte sang and danced in New Orleans with big bands and was always the life of the p

Barry Batten, 60

Barry Batten grew up in South Boston, Virginia. He joined the Navy, where he learned values of life to prepare him for the future. Barry entered the Rocky Mount Health & Rehabilitation in July of 2022 with a broken