Barbara Smith knows a thing or two about Springmoor. She and her husband have been residents since October of 2020, and her mother lived at Springmoor for more than two decades.
“I’m like my mom,” Barbara says. “I enjoy every minute of it here. It’s the best place you can be when you retire because there’s always something to do. It’s just a fun place to live.”
Members of our community celebrated the 40th anniversary with a variety of special events. Barbara attended most of them and thoroughly enjoyed herself. “I really felt a part of it all and was just very thankful.”
In August, we honored second-generation residents like Barbara with a reception. “People are usually astonished by the large number of second-generation residents we have,” says Beth Holden, Director of Sales & Marketing. “We currently have 38 residents who had a parent or other older relative live at Springmoor.”
Barbara’s parents were named C.G. & Virgie Baxley; the couple were restauranteurs in Raleigh for 43 years before moving to Springmoor in 1998. Her father had Parkinson’s and lived briefly in Stewart Health Center. Her mother enjoyed 21 happy years as a resident, first in her own apartment and then in supportive living. She died three weeks short of her 100th birthday.
“My mom loved the place from the day she came until the day she died. She felt cared for,” Barbara says. She adds, “Everything was always so clean when my husband and I visited her. We had such good visits with Mom at Springmoor. She loved to eat with us in the Grill.”
A lot has changed over the past 40 years, but much has remained the same. Barbara emphasizes the importance of the camaraderie between residents and staff. “The staff has always really cared about the residents,” she says. “And the residents care for the staff as well. My mom liked everyone here.”
When they were in their late 70s, Barbara and her husband David talked about moving to a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community). They discussed how they didn’t want their kids to have to take care of them. “They shouldn’t have to spend their lives worrying about me and my care,” she says.
Barbara’s extended family is in the Raleigh area, while David’s family lives west of the Triangle in Charlotte and Lexington, North Carolina. The couple looked at many retirement communities because they were considering choosing one that was located in between.
“We never found one with as pretty of a campus and as nice a setup as Springmoor,” Barbara says. “I’ve always felt like we made the right choice. Other places were nice, but Springmoor just kept pulling.”
Barbara mentions that, when considering the cost of a CCRC, you need to remember to figure in all the things you don’t have to pay for. “At Springmoor, we don’t have separate bills for utilities, TV, property taxes, house and yard upkeep, and things like frequent trips to the grocery store.” After cooking for many years, she enjoys being able to eat in the dining room—and not having to clean up.
Barbara and David chose to move in during Covid after being on the waitlist for about four years. She points out that one aspect of life on campus that has changed significantly since her mother lived here is an increase in the use of technology.
“Some of the changes in the use of technology came about as a result of Covid,” she says. Barbara notes one example: residents can now participate in Sunday Vespers via Springmoor TV channel 1341 in addition to attending in person in the auditorium.
Barbara and her husband stay very busy enjoying many different types of activities at Springmoor. The couple sings together as members of the Springmoor Singers, our community chorus. Barbara also plays the bells with the Springmoor Ringers. “Springmoor recently purchased two octaves of beautiful bells,” she says.
“They also let me tap dance,” Barbara laughs. Another resident named Glennis Hill volunteers to help coordinate entertainment for the residents of Stewart Health Center (SHC). Recently Barbara’s husband David sang while she performed.
Barbara volunteers to deliver mail to SHC. Some of the staff members took care of her mom and remember her well. “They say, ‘We just miss your mom so much; she was so sweet.’” Barbara adds, “Springmoor was a happy place then, and it still is.”
She also volunteers once a month at Springmoor’s convenience store on a Monday. “Mondays are very busy because people have run out of things over the weekend,” she says. “The store is so nice to have. You can grab a loaf of bread, a candy bar, and other small items you need.”
Barbara serves on the Executive Committee of the Residents Association as well. Currently she’s the secretary, and during the upcoming term she will become vice president.
Executive Committee of the Springmoor Residents Association:
Front Row, l to r: Jim Bundy, Vice President; Allen Page, President; Barbara Smith, Secretary
Second Row, l to r: Tracy Hurley, Sylvia Doles, Judy Allen, John Robinson (Director); Peg Bedini, Immediate Past-President
“Being on the committee is a lot of fun,” she says. “One of the many things we’re responsible for is coordinating the programs for the Residents Association meetings every month.” Recent programs have included a presentation from Meals on Wheels, a lecture on the Mountain-to-Sea Trail, and tips regarding Scams, Fraud, and Internet Safety.
Two months of the year, they have a business meeting. “The administration does a great job of keeping us informed,” she says. “They are aboveboard about the financial aspects of the community and never keep us in the dark.”
Barbara enjoys joining other residents for putting on the Springmoor green. They often go around the nine-hole course to play 18 holes. Here she is after getting a Hole in One on the long putt. She is also a bridge aficionado and plays both regular and duplicate. Springmoor offers numerous card groups organized by residents that meet regularly for fun and fellowship.
Barbara and her husband David have been married for almost 20 years. Her first husband, Bert Brown, passed away after 45 years of marriage. They have 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. David and his first wife, Peggy, had 3 children and 6 grandchildren. “We love all of them,” Barbara says.
She says, “Both of my husbands enjoyed visiting my parents when they lived here. My husband David and I came to Springmoor every weekend to visit my mother when she was very old.” Both Bert and David were fraternity brothers in FarmHouse Fraternity at NCSU with Jud Ammons, the founder of Springmoor.
Barbara and David live on north side of the community. “Jud was a genius in the way he constructed the place,” she says. “We live on the third floor, and when we walk down the hall, it becomes the first floor. Jud designed it like this so he could save the trees.”
It takes a visit to understand what a special place Springmoor is!
Our monthly service package allows you to spend less time doing things like dealing with health insurance paperwork and more time doing all of the things that bring you the most joy. From 24-hour security and emergency call service to chef-prepared meals, life is better at Springmoor!
To learn more about our active senior living community, call us at 919-848-7080 or click here to request a personalized tour or an information packet. We look forward to speaking with you soon about all that Springmoor has to offer.
