DOMINION SENIOR LIVING OF BRISTOL SHARE THE HERITAGE OF ONE OF THEIR RESIDENTS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Bristol, Tenn. (March 2024) — Women’s History Month has been observed in the United States for over 35 years. It has been fundamental in recognizing women’s rights and the historical transformation of women’s rights in America. Never will you find women with such rich wisdom, experience, vibrancy and contribution as those living out their Golden Years at a senior living community. Such is the case at Dominion Senior Living of Bristol, who wish to honor and share the story of one of their beloved residents, Ms. Vergie Wadel.
Ms. Wadel was born in Greenville, Tennessee in 1932. Her mom owned a beauty shop, and she did not have enough money to hire a babysitter, so Ms. Wadel used to go down to her local drug store. There she would play music on the jukebox and dance for the customers who would throw nickels at her. She would collect the nickels and go to the movies. She claims that the movie theatre was her babysitter.
Ms. Wadel grew up loving dance. She learned and performed Tap, Ballet and the Twist, in which she won many competitions. She started dating a man named Peter, but he did not like to dance, so Ms. Wadel gave him an ultimatum: either learn to dance, or he had to go. Peter learned to dance, and they enjoyed a 50-year marriage before he passed.
Peter was in the Army Reserve and was stationed in Germany, but they traveled all over the world, including several countries in Europe, the Caribbean, and all over the U.S. According to Ms. Wadel, she has been everywhere except Russia.
Ms. Wadel completed her master’s degree from East Tennessee State University, and she went on to teach English and become a Librarian. She loved teaching and enjoyed making diagraming sentences fun.
Together, the Wadels had three children: Peter, Mark and Sheri, but Peter passed away from brain cancer at the age of 61. Ms. Wadel says that Peter was so smart that it killed his brain, and it killed her once too. While grieving Ms. Wadel died, but the doctors were able to bring her back. She claims that while she was dead, she saw a lot of stuff and Jesus told her it was not her time yet.
She loves all things University of Tennessee, and she watches all the UT sports, both men’s and women’s teams. Her favorite season is football, but she also closely follows baseball and basketball. Ms. Wadel is full of spunk, is always dancing and is loved dearly by her family at Dominion Senior Living of Bristol.
Ms. Wadel is just one of the many amazing women at Dominion Senior Living of Bristol whose legacies have touched the lives of many. Dominion wants to thank each and every resident for their contributions to building up the next generations.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelo
COMMUNITY DETAILS
Dominion Senior Living of Bristol is a memory care community. It is a family-owned, faith-based company with an executive team that has more than 100 combined years of experience in the senior living industry. More information can be found by visiting their website at dominionseniorliving.com/bristol/.
