Carillon Remembers Longtime Friends Ward and Proctor
The Carillon family is pausing to remember two longtime friends whose passing we will mourn but whose lives will go on inspiring us for a long, long time to come.
Bobbie Ward
Former executive director of Carillon Assisted Living of Newton
Barbara “Bobbie” Ward and Carillon Chief Operating Officer Ken Kirkham.
“It is never easy to lose a member of our Carillon family. On November 21st, Barbara Ward lost a long and hard fought battle to cancer. For those who knew Bobbie, as she use to say, she is “twirling” and there is peace in the knowledge that her pain has ended. Bobbie was the epitome of a southern bell with her own special charm. Her radiant smile was contagious and of course, her lipstick had to be perfect. Yet the real beauty of Bobbie Ward was found within her caring heart and effervescent personality. Bobbie was a special lady who made us all strive to be better people. Thank you, Bobbie, for the gift of knowing you and for the love and care you gave to us.”
–Mary Ann Drummond, Vice President of Operations
Dr. Lonnie Proctor
Longtime volunteer and resident at Carillon Assisted Living of Shelby
As a health and physical education professor at Gardner-Webb University, Dr. Lonnie Proctor brought the Special Olympics to Cleveland County.
“I first met Dr. Lonnie Proctor when I was a junior in high school in 1978. I helped with the Special Olympics at Gardner-Webb University that year. I knew then that she was a very special and giving person. Dr. Proctor was a volunteer with Carillon of Shelby for 10 years, teaching bible study. She also volunteered with Hospice, and actually helped feed those residents who could not feed themselves.
Ms. Lonnie, as we referred to her, had the sweetest, most gentle spirit. She was always more concerned about the other residents or staff than herself. Ms. Lonnie had the most incredible blue eyes that would light up a room and a beautiful smile. Even when she was going through her own journey with Alzheimer’s, she touched our residents and team members with her sweet spirit. I would visit her in the evening before I left work and we would talk. Before I left, she would lift up her hand to touch my cheek ever so gently and say, “Thank you so much for stopping by to see me.” It is times like these that make my job so rewarding. We appreciate all that Ms. Lonnie gave to Carillon through her volunteer work and what she gave back to us through our caring for her.”
–Carol Whisnant, Executive Director, Carillon Assisted Living of Shelby
Posted in Sage Stories on December 2, 2014