M E T H O D I S T S E N I O R S E RV I C E S
CONNECTION ...serving older adults in the spirit of Christian love. HOLIDAY 2025
A Legacy of Faithfulness Mike & Ygondine Sturdivant Imbued Their Family With A Deep Love For Methodist Senior Services “Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the
1 / 16 CONNECTION 2025 METHODIST SENIOR SERVICES minds of others and the stories they share about you.”HOLIDAY ~Shannon Alder
A Personal Message From Christie Vance PRESIDENT/CEO As we come to the close of another remarkable year, my heart is filled with gratitude and grace. GRACE has truly guided us through 2025 with new beginnings, challenges, and blessings. It has reminded us that every good thing within Methodist Senior Services is a reflection of God’s faithful provision and the caring hearts of those who serve and give alongside us. Since 2020, we have selected a focus word for the year and shared it with the statewide MSS Leadership Team through the gifting of a handmade ornament. I recently shared with the MSS Board our guiding word for 2026: JOY. This word was inspired by the book of Philippians widely knowns as Paul’s “joy letter.” In Philippians 1:4–6, we are reminded of the meaningful partnerships that exist among all who share in the Lord’s work. Paul’s words capture the spirit of this ministry so well: “I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel… being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, Throughout this year, I have reflected often on the MSS directors who gathered in 1965, prayerfully envisioning what would become Methodist Senior Services. Their dream was to serve elders through love, faith, and generosity which set in motion something extraordinary. The Sunday Fund and the philanthropic support that followed have blessed countless elders and families across our communities for more than sixty years. Today, we continue that good work with the same spirit of partnership among our board members, team members, residents, families, vendor partners, and donors, trusting that God will carry His work through us to completion. The thought of this fills me with both joy and hope for all that lies ahead. It is the same joy and hope I felt as a young child waking up on Christmas morning, and the same joy and hope I feel today whenever I can help someone in need. The ability to give of our time, our resources, and our hearts is one of the richest blessings the Glory to God in the highest, and on Lord has entrusted to us.
earth peace, goodwill toward men.
As we celebrate this holy Christmas season, may we be encouraged to shine with the same Light that entered the world on that sacred night so long ago. With heartfelt joy and gratitude,
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HOLIDAY CONNECTION 2025
CONTENTS TABLE OF
2 From Grace to Joy:
A personal message from Christie Vance, President/CEO
4 A Legacy of Faithfulness:
The Sturdivant Family’s Lifelong Love for Methodist Senior Services
7 Serving Grace Resale Shop:
Meals on Wheels of Lee County Awarded a Grant to Open Resale Shop for Fundraising
8 Love Finds a New Chapter at Traceway: Ken (102) and Jean (90) Celebrate Marriage and Milestone Birthday
10 MSS Employee Milestones:
MSS Salutes Long-Term Employment & Service
12 Connections:
Facebook Showcases Resident Interests and Residents featured in Wesley Meadows‘ Social Media Posts
14 The Art of Leadership and Life:
Jamison Joins Flowers Retirement Community
CONNECTION ©2025 MSS Connection is a publication of Methodist Senior Services. It is intended to inform and educate our many constituencies regarding our ministry. If you have questions or comments, please contact: Renee Reid Director of Communications and Creative Services P.O. Box 1567 • Tupelo, MS 38802 (662) 844-8977 (phone) (662) 844-9053 (fax) E-mail: renee.reid@mss.org Christie Vance, President/CEO Alice Gorman, Chair of the Board
Mission Numbers as of 3rd Quarter 2025 ALL
# of People Served: 1,484
EMPLOYEES 957
RESIDENTS 1,341 VOLUNTEERS 1,543 OCCUPANCY 92.55% AGE Average Age: 83
www.mss.org
METHODIST SRNIOR SENIOR SERVICES
ELDERS
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OUTREACH # of People Served: 143
HOLIDAY CONNECTION 2025
The Sturdivant Family: (L to R) Walker, Mike, Ygondine, Mike, Ygondine, Sykes, Gaines
A Legacy of Faithfulness: The Sturdivant Family’s Lifelong Love for Methodist Senior Services For generations, the Sturdivant family has embodied the spirit of faith, service, and generosity that defines Methodist Senior Services (“MSS”). Their connection runs deep, woven through decades of leadership, friendship, and love for God’s older people. Both devoted Methodists, Mike and Ygondine Sturdivant were among MSS’s earliest champions, serving on boards, supporting ministries, and inspiring others to give. “They just wanted to do what they could do for the church,” recalls their son, Sykes Sturdivant. “It was their sense of faithfulness—and being Methodists—that guided everything they did.”
as her health declined and she became bedridden for several years, her heart remained with MSS. Before she passed away, MSS’s Brittany Cuevas, Vice-President of Philanthropy, spent time by her side — a visit meant to remind her just how special she was to the organization she loved so much. MSS values those who take care of elders across MSS communities. Many of those “angels” would say that their work is a calling, not a job. “I was able to tell Mrs. Ygondine’s caregiver just
Mrs. Sturdivant was particularly passionate about MSS’s mission of “serving older adults in the spirit of Christian love”. She served as a board chairperson and was known for speaking boldly about the importance of caring for older adults with dignity and compassion. Even METHODIST SENIOR SERVICES
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Ygondine (Walker) Sturdivant August 21, 1926 ~ June 1, 2025
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“Mom was devoted to what they did to help elders,” Sykes says. “She probably understood what families go through as a loved one ages better than anyone.”
Their faith shaped not only their service but their family life. “We went to church every Sunday and ate lunch together every Sunday,” Sykes says. “Family is big for us—we still do a sibling trip every year, and I think that’s healthy. Mom and Dad instilled those values in us. We love each other, and it’s all attributed to them.”
how much we appreciate angels like her across the state, as they are the hands and feet of Christ. Mrs. Ygondine was a true delight, and it was an honor to hold her hand and pray with her.” When the family gathered in the Mississippi Delta to say goodbye, friends from far and near joined in the celebration of the woman who had always treated everyone with grace and gratitude. “People like Mom and Dad helped take care of thousands of elders,” Sykes reflects. “They did right by others.” The Sturdivant story stretches across generations and miles. The family has called Mississippi home since 1857. Mr. Sturdivant, a Harvard Business School graduate, built a career in the hotel business in the 1950s, eventually expanding into resorts and properties across the South. Along the way, he remained deeply involved in Methodist ministries, from hospitals to senior services.
At Sykes’ church home – Swanson United Methodist Church, formerly Glendora United Methodist Church, Reverend Mary Hutson once served for 7 years. “She knew Dad,” Sykes recalls. “Said he was always committed to helping the poor and doing anything he could.” Reverend Mary Hutson now lives at Traceway, MSS’s Tupelo campus, where she leads a thrilling bible study on Wednesday mornings. The siblings now carry their parents’ legacy forward. They share the same heart for Mississippi communities and the people who make them strong.
The Sturdivant family hopes that one day, an endowment in their parents’ honor will continue their mission of compassion—ensuring that future generations of older adults receive the care and dignity they deserve. As Sykes puts it, “It’s good to pass it on.”
“Those were fun days,” Sykes says with a smile. “Dad treated people right and always wanted to help.” METHODIST SENIOR SERVICES
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“All of us love Methodist Senior Services,” said daughter Ygondine, named for her mother. “It’s part of who we are.”
HOLIDAY CONNECTION 2025
Trinity Place Retirement Community Presents The
Gala
February
$50
An elegant benefit with great music, a silent auction, and heavy hors d'oeuvres.
entertainment
Blue Eyed Brass
7th Ticket Donation
Doors Open at 5:30 pm Concert 6-9:30 pm Trotter Convention Center 402 2nd Ave N, Columbus, MS
For tickets or information, call (662)370-1865 Scan the QR Code to buy tickets online! Proceeds Benefit The Sunday Fund A Benevolence Fund for Elders
Nonstop dance anthems for an unforgettable night on the dance floor! Special Thanks to Our Current Sponsors
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Serving Grace Resale Shop: Meals on Wheels of Lee County Awarded a Grant to Open Resale Shop for Fundraising Meals on Wheels of Lee County is excited to share some wondeful news. The organization has been awarded a $10,000 grant through the Night for Nonprofits event, hosted by LEAD, the Lee County affiliate of the CREATE Foundation. This generous support will help open Serving Grace, a new resale thrift store located at the Tupelo Furniture Market. Proceeds from Serving Grace will help further the mission and ministry of Methodist Senior Services and
(Above) MOW Director, Ashley McDaniel, receives the grant check for $10,000. (Left) MSS Board Member Juanita Floyd congratulates Ashley on her big win. (Below) A first glimpse at the space donated for the new resale shop.
support the Meals on Wheels of Lee County program, providing meals and care to homebound seniors. Since 1972, Meals on Wheels has served an estimated 1 million meals and continues to provide approximately 35,000 meals annually. The resale shop offers a sustainable way to conUpdates on the Grand Opening, tinue this vital work while giving the store hours, and donation drop-off community a place to shop, donate, times will be shared on the MSS and connect with the organization’s and Meals on Wheels of Lee County mission. Facebook pages. A soft opening is planned for midDecember, with a Grand Opening celebration to be announced in Janua- local nonprofit work possible. Serving ry. Meals on Wheels extends sincere Grace Resale Shop is located at the thanks to LEAD, the CREATE Founda- Tupelo Furniture Market, entrance 6-2. tion, and all the supporters who make METHODIST SENIOR SERVICES
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Love Finds a New Chapter at Traceway:
Ken (102) and Jean (90) Celebrate Marriage and Milestone Birthday At 102 years old, Ken Giles insists most people mistake him for 75. His energy, optimism, and zest for life recently led him to a new adventure—marrying Jean, a vibrant 90 year-old fellow resident at Methodist Senior Ser vices’ Traceway Retirement Community.
Earlier this year, the couple was crowned Valentine’s Day King and Queen at Traceway—a fitting prelude to their wedding celebration. Just days after Ken’s 102nd birthday on September 3, the community hosted a combined birthday and wedding party in their honor.
The two met last year after moving to Traceway within weeks of one another. Jean, who had recently lost her husband, found comfort and companionship at the community. Ken, widowed after 71 years of marriage, decided it was time to downsize and surround himself with supportive neighbors.
Ken and Jean’s families, friends, and fellow residents have all embraced their union. “I was afraid they might say I stole her away,” Ken joked. “But instead, they adopted me too.” A lifelong Methodist, Ken has been an active member of Tupelo’s faith and civic communities since the 1970s. His career in management with FMC Corporation brought him to Tupelo decades ago, where he helped establish and lead the company’s local plant. Even in retirement, he remained an avid golfer until age 97 and still keeps up a daily exercise routine. Jean describes life at Traceway as “a wonderful place to live,” adding that having found love again in her 90s is proof that . . .
Their friendship began over a shared puzzle in Traceway’s family room and soon grew into something more. “We spent so much time together,” Jean recalled. “We’d watch football, share soup and salad in the evenings, and before long it just made sense to make it official.” Ken agreed. “She’s the girl I dreamed about marrying when I was in my 20s. She’s the new love of my life,” he said. METHODIST SENIOR SERVICES
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“...it’s never too late for joy!”
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Trinity Place Place Retirement Community is thrilled to announce that due to your donations and generous support that the new transit bus has been PAID IN FULL! These funds were raised through proceeds recived from Trinity‘s Golf Tournaments over the past three (3) years and individual donations. Trinity had several board members, team members and a few elders come out to take a photo wih the bus which is less than 3 years old. METHODIST SENIOR SERVICES
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MSS Employee Milestones True leaders understand that leadership is not about them but about those they serve. - Ken Blanchard
Linda Pounds 40 Years Traceway - Tupelo
Loretta Wadlington 40 Years Home Office - Tupelo
Linda Walton 30 Years Traceway - Tupelo
Congratulations Tammy Martin, Administrator of Cedars and the Green House® Homes at Traceway in Tupelo, was recognized by the Mississippi Healthcare Asosciation for twenty-five years of dedicated service to long term care. Congratulations on Graduation of the Celebration of Leadership Class of 2025 Fellows
Wendy Cosby, Bessie Harris & Cassie Neal - 30 Years; Trinity - Columbus
All 3 started when Trinity Healthcare opened.
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HOLIDAY CONNECTION 2025
Methodist Senior Services would like to thank these employees who have reached Milestone Years of Service during 2025
Kisha Eadie 25 Years Aldersgate - Meridian
Jaqueline Jackson 25 Years Dugan - West Point
Catherine Selvie 25 Years Trinity - Columbus
Alicia Smith 25 Years Home Office - Tupelo
Eva Wade 25 Years Riggs Manor - Raymond
Debbie Williams 25 Years Home Office - Tupelo
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METHODIST SENIOR SERVICES
Facebook Showcases Resident
Residents featured in Wesley Meet Ms. Edna Pleasants and her cat, Boo! Ms. Edna recently settled into her lovely second-floor independent living apartment here at Wesley Meadows. After the passing of her husband, Ken, she knew it was time to find a place where she could feel safe, supported, and still fully independent — and she absolutely is. (She still drives and stays active every day!) Leaving the home she had lived in for over 20 years was emotional, but she brought pieces of Ken with her through the décor they collected during their travels and antiquing adventures. From artwork to unique treasures, her new home beautifully reflects their life together. Now happily settled, Ms. Edna says: “I miss my past life, but I know this is exactly where I need to be — safe, independent, and surrounded by community.” Her story is a wonderful reminder that moving to senior living isn’t giving up independence — it’s gaining peace of mind. If you or someone you love is considering senior living, Ms. Edna’s experience shows just how positive that next step can be.
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Interests and Connections: Meadows‘ Social Media Posts From Blueberry Fields to Wesley Meadows Meet Mrs. Pat Traicoff—a proud Nesbit native whose family started the area’s first blueberry farm in the 1980s. She raised five kids on that farm, and today, one of them still runs the business!
Now, she’s settling into her new home at Wesley Meadows. Just a month in, she says: “I chose Wesley Meadows for the sense of community — but most importantly, I feel safe here.” She loves the food, the view from her second-floor apartment, and the warm welcome she’s received. Her apartment door even has a blueberrythemed marker — a sweet nod to her roots. It‘s a new season of life, and Wesley Meadows is where she‘s planting her roots.
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The Art of Leadership and Life: Jamison Joins Flowers Retirement Community Since joining the MSS leadership team in July, Susann Jamison has brought a steady, compassionate presence to Flowers Retirement Communit y in C larksdale, by helping guide a period of meaningful progress across the campus. Her arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter, not only for Flowers but also in a personal journey shaped by decades of service, resilience, and a deep understanding of people. Susann often begins her story with a simple truth: “I am a Mississippi Delta girl.” The Delta’s slower pace, its unspoken lessons in community and endurance, and its appreciation for life’s quieter moments, shaped her from childhood. She carried those values into her early career, spending 30 years as a social worker and 16 of those years in behavioral health at her community hospital. In that setting, she learned how to listen deeply, respond with empathy, and support individuals and families navigating some of life’s most difficult challenges. She loved her work. She loved the people she served. And she valued the strong relationships she built with colleagues who felt more like family. But with time came a growing, quiet sense that she was being called to something new. She prayed for clarity, trusting that when the moment came, she would recognize it. The closure of her community hospital could have created uncertainty, but for Susann, it became a turning point. She describes hearing an unmistakable reassurance: “I’ve opened this door for you, but it’s up to you to walk through it.” With that, she found the courage to step into a new season of life. Supported by METHODIST SENIOR SERVICES
her children, her parents, and close friends, she embraced change with equal measures of faith and determination. She carried with her into this next chapter, leadership skills honed over three decades, a calm demeanor, her ability to bring people together, and her belief that every individual deserves to feel seen and valued. She had spent years helping patients and families navigate hard de cisions, stressful seasons, and emotional crossroads. Those experiences prepared her well for senior living leadership, where compassion, understanding, and steady guidance are essential. When Susann arrived at Flowers Retirement Community in July, she found a campus ready for momentum. She approached her new role much like she approached her earlier work in health care: by listening first. She listened to residents who had rich stories to share, to families seeking reassurance, and to team members committed to serving. What she heard helped formulate the early steps taken under her leadership. One of those recent milestones was an Open House hosted by Flowers, an
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event that introduced families and community members to the exciting progress happening on campus, including welcoming new neighbors who have joined the community. The gathering was warm and lively, filled with conversation, connection, and a sense of renewed energy about the future. It showcased the heart of Flowers, a place where people feel at home and where new beginnings are always possible. Residents and guests walked the halls, visited with staff, and met the newest members of the Flowers community. The atmosphere reflected something Susann believes strongly: that creating a supportive environment begins with people who genuinely care for one another. Her leadership emphasizes relationships, communication, and the small, daily acts of kindness that build a strong culture. For Susann, the Open
House marked an early milestone, a visible sign that the campus is moving forward with both intention and creativity. It also represented something deeply personal, a space where her leadership and her gifts intersect. Through her leadership, hospitality, and creative vision, she is shaping a n e nv i ro n m e nt where care is felt even before a word is spoken. Thoughtful touches in décor, subtle updates in common areas, and inviting spaces throughout the campus reflect her belief that the atmosphere itself can nurture residents, staff, and visitors alike. Susann’s love for design has infused her approach to leadership, inspiring a series of small yet meaningful changes that make Flowers feel warm, welcoming, and full of life. Soft color palettes, comfortable seating areas, and personalized touches create a sense of home. These changes
“I’ve opened this door for you, but it’s up to you to walk through it.” METHODIST SENIOR SERVICES
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are not merely aesthetic. They are part of a broader mission to create a community where residents feel valued, connected, and inspired. She often reflects on the unexpected beauty of crossing paths with people who share passions, spark ideas, or offer encouragement. Flowers Retirement Community has become such a place, where collaboration, creativity, and kindness are woven into daily life. In the smiles exchanged in hallways, the stories shared over coffee, and the gratitude voiced by new residents settling into their homes, Susann sees the purpose she once prayed to understand. It is a purpose grounded in people but expressed through both action and atmosphere. Flowers Retirement Community is entering an exciting new chapter, shaped by meaningful connections, thoughtful leadership, and an environment that reflects care, creativity, and warmth. The campus continues to be a place where residents feel truly at home, where spaces encourage comfort and interaction, and where every detail supports a sense of belonging. With renewed energy, fresh ideas, and a commitment to excellence, Flowers nurtures both the hearts and spirits of those who live and work there.
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YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Making a will now can ensure your wishes make a real difference and secure the future. Your will is more than just a legal document—it’s a powerful way to provide for the people and causes you care about most. When you include Methodist Senior Services or any of her 12 statewide campuses in your will or trust, you create a gift that keeps giving—supporting the needs of Mississippi elders for generations to come. Visit www.mssgiving.org for excellent resources that can help you create a lasting legacy. We offer a free Estate Planning Guide, a Guide to Gift Planning and a No-Cost Will Creator program to make things easy for you and your attorney/financial planner. You’ve worked hard to build your legacy—we want you to be a part of our Legacy Circle. Contact us today to learn how easy it can be to add Methodist Senior Services to your will by calling 662.844.8977 or emailing brittany.cuevas@mss.org Give today. Plan for tomorrow. Impact forever.
Our Mission:
to serve older adults in the spirit of Christian love METHODIST SENIOR SERVICES
Our Vision:
to ensure Mississippi elders and our team members are safe, secure, supported and loved 16 / 16
Our Core Values:
• Servant ministry • The dignity of elders • Compassion for those we serve • Equity and empowerment • Operational excellence HOLIDAY CONNECTION 2025 • Innovative service