CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Cedar Creek Nursing Home in Malakoff celebrating 50 years

Athens Daily Review - 8/16/2017

Aug. 16--This year marks the 50th anniversary of continuous operations for Cedar Creek Nursing Home in Malakoff.

An anniversary celebration will be held on Friday, Aug. 18 starting at 2 p.m. The golden anniversary celebration will be held at Cedar Lake Nursing Home, located 1611 W. Royall Blvd., Malakoff.

Loretta Humble, co-founder of the nursing facility, has a lot to say about the nursing home she and Doug Humble started 50 years ago.

"If we had been older and wiser, we probably would't have had the courage to go for it. With no money down, no reserve capital, we signed three notes to make Cedar Lake ours," Humble said. "With a capacity for 30 residents, and occupancy of around 20, it had never shown a profit. Suddenly it had to support itself and our young family, as well. Somehow it did."

Humble has no regrets.

"If we had been older and wiser, we might not have done it, but I'm so glad we did," she said. "We put our whole lives into it, and the people who lived here and worked here became our family. They still are. Many of the first staff members stayed with us until they retired."

One of those first staff members, Frankie McCreary, who was 99, became a resident of the home.

"I remember nearly every one of those first residents. They became like family to us. Lulu Peters, Jimmy Simmons, and Rufus Simmons, three siblings were all residents at the same time," said Humble.

Humble has fond memories of those who have come and gone from the nursing home.

"Pete, as we called her, sat in the day room, dipping her snuff, chewing her twig 'toothbrush,' watching everything that went on, and freely delivering her opinion on it," Humble said. "She used to tell me she was going to sew a ruffle on the bottom of my skirt to make it a decent length."

In 1983, the home was full, but instead of adding more beds, this time the facility expanded by opening a home health agency. A few years later, the hospice program was added.

In 1988, Cedar Lake Nursing home expanded its facility to a 90-bed nursing home. The new facility was attached to the old one by a covered walkway. The original building still exists on the property owned by Cedar Lake Nursing Home.

Loretta may never be a resident of Cedar Lake Nursing home, but she spent so much time with the residents,

She said, "I ate my meals with the residents, and spent so much time with them that I got a pretty good sample of what it is like to live here as a resident. When I was satisfied that I could recommend it to anyone as a great place to live, I moved to the country."

Humble believes the home was a heavenly gift.

"It was a miracle, that we were young and broke, but could become the owners of this nursing home." Humble said. "I have always seen it as a gift from God, and felt a great responsibility to make it the very best it can be. And I think we've done a pretty good job. But that's my opinion. How about visiting us, and making up your own mind?"

The development of the Cedar Lake Nursing Home is the story of a real-life family who grew up with the healthcare industry, and as they grew, found a number of ways to respond to the needs of their community. Seeking to give their patients the best, they drew around them a staff of excellent individuals to form an extended family of caring.

The Humble family has been providing health care services in East Texas since 1967.

"We have always known that one of the best things to do for the residents is to make them feel at home," said Humble.

Loretta invites the public to come meet her, Sonny Humble and the staff at Cedar Lake Nursing Home on Friday, Aug. 18, when the facility will celebrate its Golden Anniversary.

___

(c)2017 the Athens Daily Review (Athens, Texas)

Visit the Athens Daily Review (Athens, Texas) at www.athensreview.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Nationwide News