History of Kirby Pines Retirement Community

For two decades PSALMS, Inc. (Perpetual Senior Adult Life Ministry Services), better known as Kirby Pines Estates, has continued to fulfill the original vision of a self-contained community where vibrant senior adults can enjoy social activities with others who share the same common interest. A place that provides total care needs as seniors’ progress through the years, a community where no one would ever have to leave friends or family behind due to illness. 2006 marks the 23^rd anniversary of Kirby Pines, a community that has grown rich in heritage and traditions.  

It all began in 1983, the idea had been tossed around for years but the concept was so refreshingly new that a group of individuals was about to embark on creating a vision of a lifetime. Dr. James Latimer, pastor of Redeemer Evangelical Church in Memphis, Tennessee, current Regional Chaplain for the West Tennessee Region of the Federal Bureau of Investigations and current Chairman of the Board of Directors initially advanced the concept for a retirement community. A concept and feasibility committee that included; Mr. Rudy Herzke, Reverend Fred Heinz, and Mr. Bill Martin was formed to study various retirement options that might be available throughout the country. As the committee began to consider development alternatives, it was determined that the project should provide services for all the Memphis and Shelby County community. Dr. Latimer contacted five of his fellow pastors in the Memphis area, each of whom recommended representatives to be on the original Board of Directors. The original Board of Directors included; Mr. Robert Fargarson, Reverend Warren Grant, Dr. Fred Grogan, Revered Fred Heinz, Mr. Rudy Herzke, Mr. John Klinke, Dr. Jon Simpson, Congressman Don Sundquist (former Governor of Tennessee) and Mr. Max Winn. These Christian men met the challenges faced with setting trends and organizing a concept to function as a reality. With their various areas of expertise they brought knowledge and experience to the newly formed structure that has evolved over the years. Dr. Latimer was given the honor and privilege of naming both the community and the governing board, i.e. Kirby Pines Estates and PSALMS, Inc.

The committee continued to plan and engaged Total Care Systems of Tennessee, Inc. (TCS) as the original developer. Dr. Richard Coons, (former President of ACTS, Inc.) was also very instrumental in the building of Kirby Pines. He was their mentor and provided the expertise and experience that was needed to complete a project of this magnitude. In the beginning, Coons’ company, Total Care Systems of Tennessee, was the original developer and managing agent for the proposed Kirby Pines Estates. Mr. Charles Trammell was an employee of TCS and was designated as the Executive Director for the proposed project. The project evolved as the continuing care retirement community currently known as Kirby Pines Estates.

In September 1983, a forty-acre farm site was deemed the official site for the newly proposed retirement community. The groundbreaking ceremony brought out many city and county leaders; this was a monumental moment for Memphis. Dr. Walter Judd, former congressman and missionary to China, served as the principal speaker. Many who attended were watching with some hesitation, the idea seemed too perfect and they wondered if it really would come to life.

In September 1983, forty-three individuals moved into Kirby Pines Estates, exactly one year from the groundbreaking ceremony. On November 29, 1983 the official dedication ceremony was held, over 480 people attended the dedication dinner. Over 1,000 people attended an afternoon “Tea and Tour” which offered a glimpse of what a few had envisioned. Prior to the dedication ceremony, the Board of Directors called a special meeting for the sole purpose of offering up prayers of praise and thanksgiving for God’s direction and guidance in building a home for senior adults that provides beautiful surroundings, companionship, safety and a spiritual environment.

The community has always looked ahead to serve the needs of tomorrow. In 1993, the Board of Directors made a commitment to the continuum of care needs at Kirby Pines, allocating unlimited resources for the research, development and design of a state of the art Alzheimer’s facility and Day Service component. They charged Annette Couch, Director of Medical Services, with the mission to bring the project to reality. One of the proudest moments in Kirby Pines history was the dedication ceremony of Job’s Way Alzheimer’s Residence on November 17, 1996.

This year marks the 23^rd year of Kirby Pines Estates. It has been a once in a lifetime dream for many of the original individuals who invested in a vision. The original 72 individuals: E.H. Batson, Robert and Margaret Brake, Anderson Brewer, James and Frances Cartwright, Clara Caughman, Seaborne and Wilma Christopher, Edwin and Anabel Conner, Pauline Corbitt, Lousie Cottom, Hattie Cummings, Claude and Drucilla DeShazo, Arthur and Rintie Edington, Jewel Evans, Elizabeth Ferguson, Harriet Finley, Ethel Foote, Harold and Marguerite Ford, Golda Fowler, Mable Gaines, Edd Graves, Louise Grogan, Catherine HArdwich, Emma Herzke, Bert and Corinne Holmes, Alberta Huffman, Glenn and Isabelle Johnson, Johnnie Jones, Frances Leigh, Archie Liebenrood, Amy Lucke, Mary Maskey, Mayfred McCaslin, James and Loraine McFadin, Lucille Medlin, John Miller, Vinnie Murdock, Robert and Lucy Nissen, Lottie Parker, Dorothy Peacock, Odie and Elizabeth Perkins, Noreen Pleune, Martha Redus, Nell Romundstad, Clifford and Elizabeth Rose, Katherine Sevedge, Louise Shelton, Ruth Sherrill, Thelma Slaughter, Ethlyn Smith, Margaret Tate, Mildred Thorne, Polly Troter, Mary WAinright, Rosemary Waldron, Harry Ward, John and Ruth Watson, Verneille Whitworth, Mary Williams, and Audrey Wright sought the type of lifestyle Kirby Pines continues to provide today. They became the pioneers of the community, the ones who have lived and continue to live the dream.

Today Kirby Pines provides 403 Independent Living Apartments (many of the original studio and tow bedroom apartments have been expanded to suites which include multiple bedrooms/studies and updated master baths), 43 Garden Homes, 40 Assisted Living Apartments in the Fireside Villa, and 28 Assisted Living Apartments in Providence Place. 90 Nursing Facility Beds and 30 Alzhiemer’s Facility Beds. With the addition of nine acres to the original 40, Kirby Pines has been able to continue to grow and offer residents the addition of Garden Homes as another living option in the continuum of care.

Nationally Kirby Pines has received numerous awards over the years. In 2000 alone, Job’s Way Alzheimer’s Residence received awards from the National Home Builders Association, The Mature Marketing Awards and the American Institute of Architects. The recognition has continued for Providence Place Assisted Living Residence, which was featured in the American Institutes of Architect 2002 Design Review publication. Providence Place was featured for its unique use of design with regard to needs driven by the assisted living resident.

Through the 23 years Kirby Pines has never lost the purpose for the original concept. The community is about the individuals who live here. It is about what makes people unique and a vibrant part of a larger community. Through many, many events over the years each individual has left a mark on the community. For example, Rosemary Waldron planted over 1,000 pine seedlings that she received from the National Forestry Organization. Today those mature 23 year old trees stand tall and frame the lake as well as the east side of the community. Another example is the meditation area set aside by mr. and Mrs. Pearson who brought each and every rock in individually from different travels across the country. The hobby shop consists of equipment designed specifically for wood working. Various residents throughout the years have donated each piece of equipment. Marjorie Swartz painted the four seasons of Kirby Pines and these watercolors are displayed in the library. Boyd Rhodes, Sr. donated the piano that is in Job’s Way Alzhiemer’s Residence. Another example is the special tree lighting provided in the gazebo area by resident Doris Johnson in memory f her sister Peggy Wells. These are just a few of the numerous examples of how residents have left their individual mark on Kirby Pines.

Kirby Pines offers a spirit, a feeling of belonging, a sense of community and respect of individuality. The community is spectacular, with the completion of the renovation and expansion Kirby offers even more amenities and services than ever before. From the Performing Arts Center, to the Eva Christie Trammell Memorial Chapel, to the Movie Theatre, to the Library and Financial Center, and the various card rooms, gift shop and the five dining areas. Kirby has everything in a building that anyone could possibly want. But Kirby is more than a structure of interconnected buildings; it is over 650 unique individuals who give life to the community. The family atmosphere of people who genuinely care for each other, and the caring and giving staff who become integral parts of resident’s daily lives. This is the true celebration of Kirby Pines, not the beauty of the structures but the beauty of the people who have continued to come together for 23 years to care for each other like many generations of one large family.