Flo. Community Honors Historical Marker along Marion Street

Flo. Community Honors Historical Marker along Marion Street

Residents from across the Florence community gathered in large numbers on Sunday afternoon for a special event. The congregation took place at the Faith Nursing Home, where the new street signs unveiled honored the home’s founders, serving as a testament to the noteworthy legacy they left behind.

The Faith Nursing Home: A Pillar of the Community

Back in the early 1960s, two community leaders and visionaries, Dr. Vashti Smith and Mary T. Wilson, took it upon themselves to establish the nursing home. Their goal was straightforward – helping those within the community who needed it the most, with the elderly being the prime focus. Over decades, the center has grown tremendously, providing essential care and services for countless elderly residents within the Florence community.

An Event to Remember

The unveiling of the street signs was an event planned and curated by ‘Ladies of Distinction,’ an extraordinary group within the community. Barbara Brooks, one of the group members and a spearhead of the event, spoke fervently about the significance of the occasion. “We wanted to honor them for all of their hard work and for taking care of patients who needed to be cared for. They are a testament of what, if God gives you a vision, you can execute and impact many lives.”

The event saw attendees from different echelons of the community’s leadership, both local and state. Among them were key figures including Maggie Wallace Glover and Representative Terry Alexander. After the august guests addressed the gathering, the ceremony marked its end with group photos filled with smiles and heartfelt closing remarks.

Historical Marker along Marion Street

This event marks an important day in the Florence community as the street signs along Marion Street stand as historical markers, bringing honor to the founders of Faith Nursing Home. These signs are reminders of a legacy of selfless service and the act of forging a path for others to follow. They celebrate the vision of the founders and the countless lives they have touched.

This day serves as a beacon of unity and pride for the Florence community and its members, shining a historical light on the heroic efforts of Dr. Smith and Mrs. Wilson. Their impact on the community continues to thrive even now, more than six decades after making their vision a reality.