“Save Me a Room": A Full‑Circle Homecoming to Taylor House

Not many stories capture the spirit of Taylor House quite like Joyce Puckett’s. Her connection to the historic building in Albemarle began in 1946. Born here when it was Yadkin Hospital, Joyce returned decades later to support her mother in 2014, and now she calls Taylor House home herself.

“I love it here,” she said of ThriveMore’s assisted living home, adding that when her mom was a resident she already knew this is where she would like to live when she needed the support. “I had told Ginger [Harris], I said, ‘When it’s my time, I’m coming back here, so save me a room.’”

Although Joyce was born in Albemarle, she spent much of her adult life in Virginia before moving back in 2019. Her children live nearby so she said they are happy she’s made her home at Taylor House since 2021.

She said she loves the private room she has at Taylor House that she can decorate as she likes. And the community is wonderful, she said – “the people are very nice.”

She spoke fondly of the activities that Activities Assistant Kevin Nowicki organizes, like going on day trips, bingo, or baking – or really any time she gets to ride around in the bus and see what adventure comes her way.

“It’s just a really comfortable place to be,” Joyce said. The Taylor House team is supportive for the residents and responsive to feedback, like what they prefer in the dining room.

“They listen,” she said of the team. “They’ve changed a few things here and there to make things better.”

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