Today in Archbold History: Glenn-Mor Nursing Home Opens as Thomasville’s First Integrated Long-Term Care Facility

October 17, 1971

Glenn-Mor Nursing Home, the first long-term facility in the area that served residents regardless of race, opened on October 17, 1971, 54 years ago today.

Prior to the 1970s, there was no long-term care facility in Thomas County that would accept African American residents. In the words of William A. Morris (left), “practically none of the existing institutions in this area would accept Negro patients.”

The specific impetus for the creation of Glenn-Mor was Clara Banks, an African American woman denied access to other long-term care facilities in Thomas County. 

Before Glenn-Mor, two nursing homes for white residents existed in Thomas County. These were Whispering Pines on the Pavo Road and Camellia Gardens on S. Broad Street.

A group of Thomasville’s African American educators and businessmen rallied to remedy the injustice and need in the community. Their legal counsel and advisor was Sol Altman. The Federal Housing Administration provided $439,500 of the $600,000 needed to construct the building and purchase equipment. To aid the construction, the founders sold common stock for $10 a share. Initially, the number of shares was limited to 240, but provisions were made to increase it to 5,000 if desired. About 2,500 shares were quickly sold. Twenty-four leading stockholders funded the remaining costs.

The first legal filings to establish Glenn-Mor Nursing Home were filed on April 13, 1963. Glenn-Mor Home, Inc. was incorporated on June 11, 1963. Twelve people petitioned Judge George R. Lilly, Superior Court of Thomas County, for incorporation. These petitioners, colloquially referred to as the founders of Glen-Mor Nursing Home, were William A. Morris, Sr., Ella Lucille Glenn Morris, Elijah Hill, Jr., Clara Huggins, Paul D. Randolph, B. Fitzgerald Randolph, Marjorie Thompson Davis, William James Varner, Roscoe C. Keaton, Mildred Glenn Keaton, Rev. Arthur J. Atkinson, and Estelle Atkinson.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site on US Highway 19 on September 28, 1970. Clifford S. Campbell, Jr., Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Industrial Promotion Committee, addressed the crowd at the ceremony. H&H Construction and Supply Company of Thomasville completed construction.

The construction of Glenn-Mor Nursing Home represented both the determination of Thomas County’s African American community and a spirit of diverse cooperation. In the words of William A. Morris, “Negroes organized this project and are the major financial contributors, but strong support had been received from white people.” He said that Glenn-Mor would “always be open to all – black and white.”

An editorial in the Thomasville Times-Enterprise said the “opening of the new nursing home meets local needs,” “especially elderly people and those of the Negro race.”

The building was completed in 1971. The entire community was invited to an Open House on October 17, 1971. Glenn-Mor was advertised as the “area’s latest in modern nursing homes.” A promotion in the newspaper read, “Glenn-Mor was designed with the individual patient in mind…to offer the ultimate in comfort and care! You’ll find spacious, well-lighted rooms with most attractive furnishings. And, Glenn-Mor offers the finest nursing care available in this area.”

U.S. Representative Dawson Mathis was on hand for the opening ceremony. According to the newspaper, Rep. Mathis “joined with others in bringing into reality the dream of those who have felt more adequate provision should be made for those needing rest home care, especially Negro residents.” The open house was attended by “a large number of both white and Negro citizens.”

The first administrator of Glenn-Mor Nursing Home was Mrs. Maude Keyton, RN. Mrs. Keyton was originally from Perry, FL and earned her RN certification from Archbold Memorial Hospital. Her husband was State Representative J.W. Keyton, Sr.​

The Editorial Board of the Thomasville Times-Enterprise said, “We feel that all who gave their time, talents and money to get this project underway are entitled to the congratulations of the people of this community, who appreciate what is being done to care for the aged, infirm and those needing the care that will be rendered here.”

Residents at Glenn-Mor were admitted only on the recommendation of a physician, but the qualifications for admittance were straightforward. “We accept patients of any race, color, or creed,” said an advertisement. Residents were allowed to pay their own expenses or receive assistance from Medicare or Medicaid. In the early days, the cost of care at Glenn-Mor was between $250 and $390 per month.

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Glenn-Mor Nursing Home began a partnership with John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital in 1989. The growing Archbold system began leasing the building and operating the nursing home as it does today. The partnership provided residents with streamlined access to Archbold’s staff and other facilities while continuing the legacy begun by the Glenn-Mor founders. Nearly 35 years later, this partnership remains strong.

The Archbold system undertook an initiative to unify the four-hospital healthcare system in 2023. One of the primary goals of the project was to tie together the facilities and services across the system to build a sense of unity and demonstrate a shared commitment to serving the communities throughout the region. Many facilities, including Glenn-Mor Nursing Home, took on new names and logos.​

Today, Archbold Living – Thomasville remains a testament to the groundbreaking efforts of the Glenn-Mor Nursing Home founders. Their commitment to their community, respect for the elderly and infirm, and perseverance in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to all Archbold team members and Thomas County community members today. 

In the years that followed, the Glenn-Mor dream of accessible nursing home care was realized throughout the region. Archbold now operates four nursing homes, open to all, in Thomasville, Cairo, Camilla, and Pelham.

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