Golden Living Center, Pell City, formerly Ingram Manor in Eden, was presented a nice selection of gospel music earlier this week in honor of a former resident. Bob and Shirley Barber, of Pell City, made the presentation in honor of Bob’s mother, 91-year-old Shug Funderburg, a recent resident at the nursing home facility and a lifelong resident of Pell City.
The nursing home was presented a VCR/DVD player and several Gaither gospel videos and DVDs by Ann Downing and Downing Ministries as part of her “Ms. Lillie” Project.
Downing has been singing gospel music for many years and is part of the Gaither Gospel Video series. Previously she and her late husband, Paul Downing, sang with the gospel group, The Downings.
Downing speaks often about her close relationship with her family. Her mom, Ms. Lillie, died on Mother's Day 2005. Ms. Lillie spent time in the Calhoun Nursing Facility in Calhoun, Miss. prior to her death.
Downing said, “We really wanted the first recipient of the project to be where Mama was. The staff at Calhoun Nursing Facility was just wonderful to her.”
During the 2006 Thanksgiving holiday in 2006, Downing and her family presented the Bruce Nursing Center in their hometown of Bruce, Miss. the first DVD/VCR player and box of Gaither Homecoming Videos as the beginning of the Ms. Lillie Project.
The continued support allows Downing Ministries' Ms. Lillie Project the opportunity to touch more people's lives in these facilities with gospel music. This on-going project will reach out to more facilities to help this oft-forgotten population and honor those who provide care for them on a daily basis.
When asked how it felt to have these items donated in her honor, Funderburg said she was absolutely thrilled.
“I am honored beyond words,” Funderburg said. “I love gospel music.”
Kim Russell, executive director of Golden Living Center, said this act of kindness is wonderful and generous.
“I think our residents will truly enjoy it,” Russell said. “That’s just another sign of how the community has supported our residents who live here. I’m sure they will enjoy it for years to come.”
To donate to Downing Ministries by check, mail to Downing Ministries P.O. Box 767 Hendersonville, TN 37077. Please mark “donation” in the memo portion of the check.
To donate by phone, call toll-free at 1-877-886-1629.
Visit Downing’s website at www.anndowning.com for more information.
