Published: December 04, 2008 03:01 pm      

Artists and angels discovered at Wharton Nursing Home

Jewel Avery, who lives at Wharton Nursing Home, had always talked about how she wanted a painting signed by the artist who painted it. Bobbi Avery, Jewel’s daughter-in-law, had never picked up a paintbrush in her life when she decided to take painting lessons. Judy Lucas, a one-stroke painting instructor, had a class that was scheduled to start and Bobbi signed up. By the end of the course, the students had completed two paintings, and Bobbi knew the perfect person to give her signed paintings to!

Sherry Knox, Wharton’s social service director, saw Bobbi’s paintings in Jewel’s room and thought they were beautiful. She asked Bobbi if she would be interested in painting clouds on the walls of the front foyer of Wharton Nursing Home. Bobbi was amazed that someone would ask her to do this. She had never painted on walls before; in fact, the two one-stroke paintings from her course with Judy Lucas were all she had ever painted. She said yes, but once she got started, she felt that the clouds weren’t enough. Bobbi felt that painting at Wharton was a way that she could give back to Wharton Nursing Home for the care they give her mother-in-law. She wanted the walls to be perfect and spent many hours researching different ideas.

Since she had never painted walls before, she decided to seek assistance. She asked Judy Lucas to assist her in painting a mural for the residents to enjoy. Judy said yes and they began their masterpiece. Lillian Murray, a professional artist living near Bobbi in the Tansi Community, heard about what was going on and volunteered her time in assisting with the project as well.

Over time, Bobbi noticed a visitor of Wharton who would stop to watch the artists work for a minute every time she visited. The woman’s name was Rebecca Abner, and she too shared an interest in painting. Rebecca enjoys more of a realistic painting style and she eagerly volunteered to share her talent.

Not only did Bobbi want this mural to be for the residents, but she also wanted give a warm welcoming feeling to the visitors. “I can’t say enough good things about Wharton. It’s just an amazing place to be,” says Bobbi.

The residents have also enjoyed watching the artists at work. “It’s been a joy to watch them watching us,” says Bobbi. They started the mural in November 2007 and are still working toward completion.

Bruce Wyatt was at his new business, West Ave. Laundry Express, when a woman came in. The woman was Bobbi Avery and while she was there, she and Bruce got to talking about the décor in the new facility. As she was complimenting him, Bobbi mentioned her new passion for painting and that she and a few other artists were working on a mural at Wharton Nursing Home. Bobbi did not realize when she began her story that Bruce recently became a member of the board of directors for Uplands Retirement Village. She told him how much time she had spent up on a ladder, at different hours of the day and night, and how the staff didn’t even notice she was there anymore. “I watched those people when they didn’t know I was watching, listened when they didn’t know I was listening and felt the love, patience and respect that was consistently given to the residents by all the staff. They are angels.”

Bruce swelled with pride to hear Bobbi tell this story. “It is such honor, and makes me feel so proud to be involved with such an amazing organization,” said Bruce.

Bobbi also volunteers at Brown Elementary, tutoring fourth-graders. She loves helping the children, and finds it to be extremely joyful and rewarding. Bobbi Avery seems to be quite the angel herself.

Wharton Nursing Home is a long-term care facility in Uplands Retirement Village located in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. Founded in 1922 by Dr. May Wharton, Uplands Retirement Village is a nonprofit continuing care retirement community offering independent living, assisted living and nursing care.