SpiritCare Center News and Events

Adaville Baptist Church Youth Choir

SpiritCareCenter@gmail.com (Pamela Kay Overbey) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 13:50:55 GMT

Adaville Baptist Church Youth Choir

For the past three years, the Adaville Baptist Church Youth Choir, from Spindale, North Carolina, has honored the SpiritCare Center with an anointed and heartfelt music program. This year, their theme was taken from First Corinthians 15:58 and 16:13. The scripture says, “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong.”

The 29 youth and seven adult chaperones embodied the words of the scriptures through their actions and singing. The adults and the youth always show the greatest respect to our residents who love to hear the youth sing and share from the Word of God.

The minister of music is Connie Cuthbertson. She is a gifted and talented person who begins rehearsals with the youth in February for preparation for their summer tour. And when the youth sing and honor the Lord, all of their work is highly demonstrated. Their senior pastor, Dr. Jeff Pate, has two sons in the youth choir. He was at the Center on Thursday morning when the youth sang to show his support.

The Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center is very thankful that the Adaville Youth Choir Tour 2025 includes us! The highlight of the program always includes the younger and the older generations singing a song together. This year, while their pastor played the piano, the two generations sang the old hymn Amazing Grace.

Pray Without Ceasing

Tue, 13 May 2025 13:53:06 GMT

Pray Without Ceasing

The first Thursday of May is known as the National Day of Prayer. This year it was recognized on May 1. A few of our ladies were able to attend the prayer event, which took place at the Sevierville Courthouse, Sevierville, Tennessee.

The residents at the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center were prepared to pray on May 1 because it is what they do all the time. They are perfect examples of people who “pray without ceasing.”

We have people from many places who call and ask for prayer. Our faithful widows and widowers not only pray but believe God has a perfect plan for whatever the need may be. They pray for each other’s families, one another, the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, the staff and leadership at the SpiritCare Center, and anyone who needs to be covered in prayer.

Each day, before they partake of their noon meal, the residents pause to give praise and then prayer requests. I have personally heard them testify: “God supplied a specific need; God intervened on my behalf when I didn’t know what to do about a particular situation. God heard my prayer for a family situation. God is faithful.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, Pray without ceasing.

Photo in details: Left to right: Linda Faust, Joan Swallows, Candis Wood, Ruby Rathbun, Pat Wetzel

You Got Served

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:44:46 GMT

You Got Served

The New Hope Church of God, Sevierville, Tennessee, set aside Saturday, April 12, 2025, to fulfill their mission: You God Served. Their mission included doing a work project at the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center to assist our widows in the spring clean-up of their balconies. The New Hope Encore group came with their buckets, brooms, and cleaning supplies to complete the task of service for several of our residents. Not only did they come to serve physically, but to give time and energy to our residents.

Thank you, New Hope Church and Pastors Tom & Brenda Sterbens, for supporting this community outreach!

Market Place

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:00:31 GMT

MARKET PLACE

For the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center, which is nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Market Place was established when the 22-year-old edifice was envisioned by Mrs. Iris B. Vest. Even though Sister Vest did not live to see her vision become a reality, the Church of God International Women’s Ministries and many other generous people picked up the mantle and fulfilled the vision God had planted in her heart. Today, the SpiritCare Center, Sevierville, Tennessee is still going strong and blessing widows, widowers and retired ministerial couples with a safe, peaceful environment.

The Market Place was designed to help supplement the needs of the residents by providing household goods, clothes, canned food, paper products and more. The tradition continues through the generosity of churches, individuals, and businesses. The residents of the SpiritCare Center enthusiastically visit the MarketPlace on Monday afternoons whereby they have time to shop at no cost to them for whatever items are available. The SpiritCare Center is grateful to all the many donors who have given to bless the residents. Because of the generosity of others, the Market Place has a refrigerator and a freezer. With each of these items, we can provide frozen dinners, ice cream, frozen meats; in the refrigerator we provide ½ dozen eggs (great commodity at the moment), cold cuts for sandwiches, yogurt, cold sodas and more.

On behalf of all our residents who have chosen to make the SpiritCare Center their retirement home - thank you for fulfilling the mission of James 1:27 through the Market Place.

Giving Back to the Community

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:27:50 GMT

Giving Back to the Community in 2024!

The Iris B Vest SpiritCare Center is nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. Surrounding the Center is the mountains, black bears, Cade’s Cove, the lights and attractions of Gatlinburg, and the busyness of tourists which often creates a traffic backup at our well-known Exit 407! 

However, amidst the wonder of the Great Smoky Mountains is also the need for our local police department, fire department, and the EMT’s. Our local businesses such as Lowe’s, Blaylock’s, Ogle’s repair, to name just a few…are all necessary to our community. 

The residents at the SpiritCare Center are very grateful to all of our businesses, to those who keep us safe, and to those who will come to assist if someone has fallen or if they need to be taken to the emergency room….we feel very blessed by those who watch over us!

The Center has adopted a tradition of sending three to four of our residents with smiles, a word of thanks, and a couple dozen donuts to say thank you to those who make a difference.

Thank you to Danny Mendel, Pat Wetzel, Peggy Grover and Jean Hetherington for representing the SpiritCare Center in this endeavor for 2024.

Church of God Women's Ministry

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 20:23:03 GMT

SpiritCare Featured By The Church of God

Women's Ministry

Iris B. Vest Spirit Care was proudly featured on the COG Women's website, highlighting our dedication to enhancing the lives of seniors at SpiritCare Center. As an independent living facility, we uniquely cater to widows and retired ministers, offering affordable, enriching apartment living.

Read the full post to explore how SpiritCare fulfills James 1:27 and continues to thrive through prayer, dedication, and the kindness of God's people.

Joyce Jones, Our Happy Helper!

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Joyce Jones, Our Happy Helper!

Not many churches or organizations can successfully make it without people who are willing to give of themselves and serve. It is a truth we experience every day at the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center.

Recently, we celebrated Joyce Mauldin Jones for her eight years as a Happy Helper volunteer. Our volunteers dubbed the title Happy Helper because they love volunteering and making a difference for others. Ms. Joyce has been an excellent example of this title. She loves to greet visitors and make them feel welcomed and loved.

Joyce has served as a Happy Helper under the leadership of Rev. Sandra Melcher Miley and with the current Director, Dr. Pamela Kay Overbey. She has a gentle spirit and is willing to do whatever she can to assist others. Joyce loves sharing the love of God and His goodness through caring for others.

Thank you Joyce Jones and all of our Happy Helpers!

Craft Excursions at the SpiritCare Center

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 18:03:39 GMT

Craft Excursions at the

SpiritCare Center

It is amazing how two individuals can come up with so many different ideas for our residents to do on the third Tuesday of each month for their Craft Excursions.

The pictures included will show some of the cool things this group did this month for the fall season. When they meet again in November they will work on something special for Christmas.

These items are the perfect size to use to decorate the doors of their apartments.

Thank you Candis and Jane for sharing your creativity and love for crafts!

Resident Highlight: Scottie Collins

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

September Resident Highlight:

Scottie Collins

Scottie Collins was born in Arkansas and lived there until 1963 when she married her husband. The two of them moved to Texas shortly after. In Texas, Scottie went to a community college where she got her GED. After graduating Scottie worked as a CNA in hospice care and would work as a private nurse for families.

Scottie moved into SpiritCare in 2016 and continues to serve others. Scottie assists SpiritCare by leading praise and worship for chapel services, being a "Happy Helper" (Volunteer) for the front office, and bringing joy to everyone she meets. When she is not volunteering, Scottie can be found enjoying the rocking chairs outside or solving jigsaw and word puzzles.

Words of Wisdom from Scottie Collins

Scottie Collins encourages others to “Keep close to Jesus,” as she did and continues to do. Life will get tough, but He will follow through to protect you.

Resident Highlight: Joan Swallows

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 11:00:02 GMT

September Resident Highlight:

Joan Swallows

Before coming to SpiritCare, Joan Swallows lived in Wilmore, Kentucky. She and her husband, Roger Swallows, owned their store; Swallows Tack Shop. After her husband’s passing, Joan closed the shop and became a school bus driver for Jessamine County in Nicholasville, KY. She drove students for thirteen years before she moved to SpiritCare.

Joan’s favorite pastimes are taking part in the resident activities and enjoying the outdoors with long walks. She also has a passion for decorating! Joan’s room is always full of beautiful flowers, and she changes them for the different holidays and seasons. Christmas is her favorite season to decorate!

Words of Wisdom from Joan Swallows

Joan’s favorite encouragement verse to others is Philippians 4:13; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Resident Highlight: Ellie Peterson

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:51:11 GMT

August Resident Highlight:

Ellie Peterson

Ellie Peterson is from South New Jersey and has been with SpiritCare since Easter 2024. While she has not been with us for long, Ellie has still been a huge blessing to both us and the community. Ellie loves being around and serving children. She has crocheted baby blankets and donated them to the Isaiah 1:17 ministry to show their children love.

Ellie started her own small ministry for a short while collecting used baby clothes and fixing them up to give away to families who could not afford new clothes for their children. She has also worked with the Angel Wings ministry, sewing baby dresses out of used wedding dresses for families who have lost their little loved ones.

Words of Wisdom from Ellie Peterson

Ellie loves to uplift people and bring peace wherever she goes. She believes that her spiritual gift is being an encourager to those around her. She lives by the statement, “as much as we can, we should live in peace.”

Persimmon Church of God Raises $7,000

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:37:50 GMT

Persimmon Church of God raises $7,000 and lends a helping hand.

In February, the Persimmon Church of God Men and Women of Action team attended the Church of God International Men and Women of Action Rally held at the New Hope Church, Kodak, Tennessee. The director, Rev. Phil Thompson made a plea on behalf of the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center at the meeting. The plea was for assistance to remodel five apartments for the SpiritCare Center. The cost to remodel an apartment is roughly $7500 for all the materials needed. The need includes having a crew come and actually do the remodel work, as well.

At this meeting, Bruce and Donna Pendry, from the Persimmon Church of God, North Georgia, felt the “Samuel Call” and responded to the Lord by saying Here I am. Send us. The Persimmon Church raised $7,000 for the remodel of apartment 215. The Men and Women of Action team from this church commenced their remodel on the morning of May 17 and worked through Friday evening, May 19. There were seven (7) men who arrived on our property and thankfully we had enough rooms to accommodate all of the men so they could stay at the Center. The SpiritCare Center also provided lunch for the men for the three days they were here.

Their plan to work diligently each day paid off and by Friday, May 19, at approximately 7:30 PM, I received a call from Bruce Pendry telling me they had completed the bulk of the task and would be driving back to their individual homes that evening. The men, who were all skilled laborers, pulled together to create a perfect team to complete the tasks of the remodel. Clay, the electrician, was willing to help our maintenance team with a couple of electrical needs so that all of our dusk to dawn lights on the back outside patio and our third light in the parking area are all working and keeping the areas lit at night time for our residents.

The SpiritCare Center maintenance team assisted when needed and when the Persimmon crew left on Friday our team was willing to complete a few steps towards the final completion of Apartment 215.

The SpiritCare Center is very grateful for the Persimmon Church of God answering the Samuel Call and making provision for a widow (Mrs. Miriam Kirkendall) to have a remodeled home in the SpiritCare Center community. May God richly bless you for all you have done for the Kingdom!

Dr.Pamela Kay Overbey

Executive Director

Retirement Celebration for Mr. Eddy Hammond

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 17:58:08 GMT

Retirement Celebration for Mr. Eddy Hammond

May 3, 2023, we celebrated a giant / hero of the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center. Mr. Eddy Hammond’s 84 ^th birthday was on this day, along with a celebration of his career which began during the tenure of Bishop Tim Nuckles, September 15, 2015. On Thursday, April 27, Mr. Eddy announced his retirement to the residents and staff after sharing abstracts from his life history during Thursday Chapel. Mr. Eddy served as the maintenance director at the Center from the moment he was hired. His life of 84 years has been blessed with the knowledge to create and to make things unique when the situation requires ingenuity.

Mr. Eddy, and his wife, Bonnie, who serves as our office assistant, love our residents. They are always coming up with cool ideas, which involve doing something fun for the residents. Trips to the Farmer’s Daughter Market, Apple Barn, and Carver’s are just a few. Mr. Eddy also loves grilling hamburgers, steaks, veggies and more on the grill to serve meals to the residents when the dining room is closed due to a holiday or it is Sam’s shopping day for our kitchen staff.

Mr. Eddy has blessed the Center in so many ways. Only God has kept a definitive record. Since the beginning of my tenure as director, which was April 1, 2022, Mr. Eddy has been responsible for overseeing and doing the hands-on work needed for remodeling apartments. His tasks were not limited to the remodels, but maintaining all the maintenance requests which are submitted by the residents.

We are very grateful for the eight years Mr. Eddy has given to the SpiritCare Center and his loyalty to the residents who live there. He has graciously promised to come visit us often and help us with the unknown by sharing his vast knowledge of the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center.

Dr.Pamela Kay Overbey

Executive Director

Word for the Day

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:42:36 GMT

Word for the Day!

Ms. Carolyn Thompson

Ms. Carolyn Thompson, a resident of the SpiritCare Center, shares a “Word for the Day,” with each table group following lunch. She often has just the Word needed to encourage and strengthen someone for the day! Some of her words have been:

Harmony – with all people and with Jesus.
Faith – in Jesus Christ.
Life – My life is full of God’s love!
World Peace – God’s got this!
Beautiful – God’s creations are beautiful.
Friendly – You are my special friend in Jesus.
Forgive – In the name of Jesus we must forgive.
Guidance – We are guided by the Holy Spirit every step of the way, every day.
Comfort – I am comforted by the Holy Spirit.
Smile – Brings love to all who see it. It is contagious!

Carolyn states, “The Lord has given me a special “word” to give to everyone at lunchtime.” She says that at the end of sharing the Word for the Day, she seals it each day by saying, “I Love You!” (Carolyn has lived at the Center since April 2019.)

To everything there is a season

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 20:41:35 GMT

To everything there is a season…

“To everything there is a season…”(Ecc 3:1 NKJV).

The season we are approaching is Easter which will pass quickly as it is April 2-9. The blessing of this season is the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior who is a part of all of our seasons. No matter the purpose of the season we can be confident that God is with us.

We recently established a choir among our residents: The Joy Singers! Their main focus is to sing praises unto the Lord and to give Him glory through their voices! The choir is directed by Rev. Basha Zackavich. They shared their talents recently by visiting one of our assisted living homes in Sevierville, Tennessee. The Joy Singers shared the Word of the Lord through their songs: “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.” These are not just words on their lips but words expressed in their everyday lives at the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center.

Blessings to you,

Dr.Pamela Kay Overbey

Executive Director

Photo: "The Joy Singers" Choir at SpiritCare

Immeasurable Days of Grace

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 21:07:44 GMT

Immeasurable Days of Grace

April 1, 2023, I will celebrate my first anniversary as the director of the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center. There are immeasurable days of grace and mercy which have been evident from the first day until now. When one of these precious saints have a smile on their face, or a grim look because of something they are personally dealing with, they readily make it known of their faith and steadfastness in God who has been by their side for many years of ministry.

In one of our projects, I asked the question as to how long each individual had served in ministry. So many of our residents (because of current age) have gracefully served at least 40 years in ministry in some capacity. When you multiply this by just 25 of our residents the number of years served collectively is astounding. That’s a calculation of approximately 1,000 years of ministry. This includes women of God who taught Sunday school, children’s workers, builders, men and women who have been worship leaders, pastors, pastors' wives, janitors, Bible teachers, even those who served as greeters or whatever was needed in their ministry assignments.

Their service unto the Lord has not stopped. It may be at a slower pace but their heart-felt love of the Lord is stronger today than the day before. They are living examples of the song, It gets sweeter as the days go by. I personally can repeat the words of the song as my tenure at the SpiritCare Center is getting sweeter as the days go by. And I might add…quickly, the days are going by.

Dr.Pamela Kay Overbey

Executive Director

Photo: Nana from Tennessee with my Grands: Dylan, Collin & Kara

Crossroads COG Youth Group Volunteer at the SpiritCare Center

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 21:07:44 GMT

Crossroads COG Youth Group Volunteer at the SpiritCare Center

Prior to the start of the Church of God Winterfest weekend, March 3-5, 2023, a youth group from the Crossroads Church of God, Alabama, came to the SpiritCare Center to do a "volunteer work project." There were 30 young people and seven chaperones who took the time Friday morning, March 3, to bless the Iris B. Vest SpiritCare Center, Sevierville, Tennessee. Their pastor's wife, Cindy Nobles, and the youth pastors, Cory and Tara Tennyson were among the adults who participated in the project.

The youth and their fearless leaders were willing to clean windows, banisters, and tables on our six large balconies. Others were pulling weeds, raking leaves and picking up sticks from our rock beds, while others cleaned the winter debris from the garden boxes so that spring planting could start soon. This group also took time to listen to our retired seniors share their life stories and spend precious time with them.

This youth group did not come to Winterfest for just the blessings they would receive but to give back and to bless others. We are so thankful for their assistance in helping to make the SpiritCare Center look more beautiful and excited about their desire to do the same next year!

Dr.Pamela Kay Overbey

Executive Director

SpiritCare Center News and Events

Adaville Baptist Church Youth Choir

Adaville Baptist Church Youth Choir

Pray Without Ceasing

Pray Without Ceasing

You Got Served

You Got Served

Market Place

MARKET PLACE

Giving Back to the Community

Giving Back to the Community in 2024!

Church of God Women's Ministry

SpiritCare Featured By The Church of God

Women's Ministry

Joyce Jones, Our Happy Helper!

Joyce Jones, Our Happy Helper!

Craft Excursions at the SpiritCare Center

Craft Excursions at the

﻿ SpiritCare Center

Resident Highlight: Scottie Collins

September Resident Highlight:

Scottie Collins

Words of Wisdom from Scottie Collins

Resident Highlight: Joan Swallows

September Resident Highlight:

Joan Swallows

Words of Wisdom from Joan Swallows

Resident Highlight: Ellie Peterson

August Resident Highlight:

Ellie Peterson

Words of Wisdom from Ellie Peterson

Persimmon Church of God Raises $7,000

Persimmon Church of God raises $7,000 and lends a helping hand.

Retirement Celebration for Mr. Eddy Hammond

Retirement Celebration for Mr. Eddy Hammond

Word for the Day

Word for the Day!

Ms. Carolyn Thompson

To everything there is a season

To everything there is a season… ﻿

Immeasurable Days of Grace

Immeasurable Days of Grace

Crossroads COG Youth Group Volunteer at the SpiritCare Center

Crossroads COG Youth Group Volunteer at the SpiritCare Center

SpiritCare Center

To everything there is a season…