It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic National Civil Rights Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Memphis, TN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Trusted, Tried & True! The only healthcare service I would trust with my loved ones!”
“This company is the best. My Dad receives care from them and they are always”
“My cousin receives services from this company. The office staff is very thorough and his”
“I had my interview and orientation. Keisha is just so sweet. She answered every thing”
“Rico Andrews and his care givers are the best. Known them for 5+ years and”
“They were excellent and treated my family member with great care. Very professional and prompt”
“They truly provide the BEST care for seniors!!!!!”
“Awesome dependable services”
“Exceptional customer service and care”
“Very professional and friendly”
“Excellent experience. Professional staff. Keisha was very helpful to me.”
“I absolutely love working at Always Best Care I been here for 6 years they”
“Top Tier Service and Care In Tennessee”
“My experience with Always Best Care was exceptional! Their staff took care of my loved”
“Always Best Care provides exceptional service. The staff is very personable and responsive.”
“This is the best Home Healthcare company in Memphis Tennessee Hands down!!!”
“ABC Senior Services is servicing our seniors with care and compassion!”
“My experience with Always Best Care was exceptional! Their staff took care of my loved”
“How to change your Life from Poor to a Multi-millionaire. Join the Illuminati Brotherhood to”
“The office staff are always very friendly, professional, and willing to go the extra mile”
“I have been working with ABC for a couple of years now they are the”
“Always Best Care has been great for our mom. Everyone is so kind & Keisha”
“Keisha is great ! I have been there for over a year now, she always”
“Trusted, Tried & True! The only healthcare service I would trust with my loved ones! Highly recommended ❤️”
“This company is the best. My Dad receives care from them and they are always available. They pop in to check on their employees and always make sure Dadhas care. They are great!”
“My cousin receives services from this company. The office staff is very thorough and his caregiver is very caring. Keisha the office manager is very passionate and hires very knowledgeable staff. We have spoken with her on a number of occasions and she is always professional”
“I had my interview and orientation. Keisha is just so sweet. She answered every thing I asked with no problem. I'm starting off PT but who knows I may turn it in permanently with the help of Keisha”
“Rico Andrews and his care givers are the best. Known them for 5+ years and they are compassionate group I routinely recommend for friends and loved ones.”
“They were excellent and treated my family member with great care. Very professional and prompt to respond if you ever need anything!”
“They truly provide the BEST care for seniors!!!!!”
“Awesome dependable services”
“Exceptional customer service and care”
“Very professional and friendly”
“Excellent experience. Professional staff. Keisha was very helpful to me.”
“I absolutely love working at Always Best Care I been here for 6 years they genuinely care about they caregivers you don't get that with a lot of jobs. I will not be going anywhere.”
“Top Tier Service and Care In Tennessee”
“My experience with Always Best Care was exceptional! Their staff took care of my loved one as if she was there own! Very caring and responsive. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for senior care!”
“Always Best Care provides exceptional service. The staff is very personable and responsive.”
“This is the best Home Healthcare company in Memphis Tennessee Hands down!!!”
“ABC Senior Services is servicing our seniors with care and compassion!”
“My experience with Always Best Care was exceptional! Their staff took care of my loved one as if she was there own! Very caring and responsive. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for senior care!”
“How to change your Life from Poor to a Multi-millionaire. Join the Illuminati Brotherhood to have a better Life, Power, Fame and Wealth. Learn the right procedures on where to join the real Illuminati Society. Contact via our official WhatsApp using +1 (709) 701-2655 the same NEW MEMBER FIRST BENEFITS You become very rich and famous in just 48hrs after your registration is Approved. weekly payment of $666,000 millions to $1,666,000millions A total life style change (house and cars). And lot more. Kindly follow up for more information illuminati official site Join us Now”
“The office staff are always very friendly, professional, and willing to go the extra mile for their staff.”
“I have been working with ABC for a couple of years now they are the Best so professional in the staff is so helpful I love working for them they have a heart of gold I would recommend anybody to work for them”
“Always Best Care has been great for our mom. Everyone is so kind & Keisha & Michelle try their best to match your loved one with the right person that best fits their personality. We never have to be concerned if their will be someone available to show up & take care of our mom. Always Best Care has been a God send for us!”
“Keisha is great ! I have been there for over a year now, she always answers my questions even when she is off ! Always professional, kind, and goes the extra mile to support the staff. She is the reason I have remained with this company !”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Overton Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Acre Restaurant or visit Ashlar Hall, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Memphis, TN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Memphis, TN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Memphis, TN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) member reversed course Wednesday after making a Facebook comment threatening to have someone deported.In a Facebook Messenger exchange, a woman told MSCS School Board Member Towanna Murphy that she is "an embarrassment to Memphis and to our students," called Murphy a "stupid (expletive)," and asked her to resign.Murphy responded, saying, "Baby be quiet before I have you deported."The school board member later posted to Facebook saying t...
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) member reversed course Wednesday after making a Facebook comment threatening to have someone deported.
In a Facebook Messenger exchange, a woman told MSCS School Board Member Towanna Murphy that she is "an embarrassment to Memphis and to our students," called Murphy a "stupid (expletive)," and asked her to resign.
Murphy responded, saying, "Baby be quiet before I have you deported."
The school board member later posted to Facebook saying that she did not know the woman who initiated the conversation.
"She was the first to display disrespect. Although I regret my response, I spoke in the heat of the moment. So my question is why did she take this action? I should have been the bigger person, but I am human, we all are," Murphy wrote.
The school board member later posted, "I don't mind you having an opinion, we can agree to disagree, but when you are calling me and my colleagues out of our name I will give you that same energy. That's not called for. I'm not accepting that PERIOD." And in a comment, Murphy wrote, "I move differently, and I will not accept that. If they come at me that way I'm coming back that way."
But a statement distributed by a public relations director on Murphy's behalf Wednesday afternoon had a different tone.
"I want to apologize to the community and my board colleagues for my interaction in a social media direct message with a member of our community," Murphy's statement said. "While I found the initial message from the individual to be disrespectful and upsetting, my response did not represent the professionalism and respect that I know should be a standard in my service as an MSCS Board Member. It certainly was not a reflection of my true feelings or intentions toward the Latino community. I recognize the trauma and challenges facing our immigrant and refugee communities and regret that this interaction did not reflect my understanding and concern for these issues. I want to assure my constituents that I know our schools must be safe and welcoming environments for all students and families. This interaction comes at a time when we need to show support to ensure public education is available for all. I am committed to learning from this experience, rebuilding trust with our full community, and working towards my goal to lead with professionalism and compassion."
Hours earlier, Shelby County Board of Education Chair Joyce Dorse Coleman released a statement condemning Murphy's deportation comment.
"I am aware of the recent social media activity of my colleague, Board Member Towanna Murphy. As duly elected officials, all board members are expected to uphold the highest standards of decorum and professionalism while representing the district and the Board at all times. I must publicly acknowledge that her recent social media comments fall well short of those expectations," Coleman said.
Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood.
Trending stories:
Memphis, TN (April 1, 2025) – A vehicle collision resulting in injuries occurred on Lamar Ave, drawing a response from local emergency services in southeast Memphis.The incident was reported around 5:50 a.m. near the 2900 block of Lamar Ave. Although exact vehicle details have not been confirmed, preliminary information indicates that the crash involved more than one vehicle and resulted in injuries to at least one person at the scene.First responders, including paramedics, assessed and treated individuals hurt in ...
Memphis, TN (April 1, 2025) – A vehicle collision resulting in injuries occurred on Lamar Ave, drawing a response from local emergency services in southeast Memphis.
The incident was reported around 5:50 a.m. near the 2900 block of Lamar Ave. Although exact vehicle details have not been confirmed, preliminary information indicates that the crash involved more than one vehicle and resulted in injuries to at least one person at the scene.
First responders, including paramedics, assessed and treated individuals hurt in the crash. A variety of injuries were reported, though no further updates have been released on the victims’ conditions.
Traffic along Lamar Ave experienced slowdowns while responders worked to secure the area and assist those involved. Authorities remained on-site to investigate the cause of the collision and gather necessary details.
Officials have confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Our thoughts are with those affected by this accident.
The crash on Lamar Ave adds to a growing list of traffic-related injury incidents across Memphis, where high-volume corridors and early morning travel times increase the risk of collisions. Lamar Ave, a major east-west artery in the city, frequently sees heavy commuter and commercial vehicle traffic, especially near industrial and distribution hubs.
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Shelby County continues to report one of the highest rates of injury crashes in the state. Contributing factors often include distracted driving, fatigue, and speeding—especially during early morning or pre-dawn hours when driver alertness may be compromised.
When a crash occurs, injured individuals may find themselves facing unexpected medical costs, missed work, and emotional stress. Understanding your rights after such an accident is vital. Victims of collisions involving negligence may be entitled to financial compensation to help with recovery expenses.
Drivers are encouraged to remain vigilant, especially during early hours when traffic is lighter but visibility and awareness can be diminished. Extra caution at busy intersections and along major corridors like Lamar Ave can go a long way toward preventing future incidents.
If you or someone you know was injured in a crash on Lamar Ave or elsewhere in Memphis, resources are available to help you move forward.
For more information or to receive help after an accident, contact Local Accident Reports.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - An unlikely army of volunteers from fourteen states spent a recent Saturday sawing, sweeping, and loading one dumpster after another at 1467 East McLemore, the site of a long-abandoned nursing home in South Memphis.The site is smack, dab in the middle of a section of Memphis drenched in illegal drug activity.The leader of the site restoration effort, Ben Owen, said, “It was the ‘Kings Daughters and Sons Home for the Incurables,’ and we’re fighting an incurable disease: addiction.&r...
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - An unlikely army of volunteers from fourteen states spent a recent Saturday sawing, sweeping, and loading one dumpster after another at 1467 East McLemore, the site of a long-abandoned nursing home in South Memphis.
The site is smack, dab in the middle of a section of Memphis drenched in illegal drug activity.
The leader of the site restoration effort, Ben Owen, said, “It was the ‘Kings Daughters and Sons Home for the Incurables,’ and we’re fighting an incurable disease: addiction.”
Owen, a recovered drug addict, has experienced an astounding life transformation with his wife Jess that has helped many others find and maintain a life of sobriety and usefulness.
The couple leads a nonprofit called “We Fight Monsters,” a Memphis-based organization that buys and renovates former crack houses for formerly unsheltered people, including fellow recovering addicts, veterans, and especially women who have been sex trafficked and their children.
Now, We Fight Monsters wants to transform the long-neglected nursing home and turn it into a drug and alcohol treatment center.
Ben and Jess Owen say they spent years abusing drugs, witnessing sex trafficking and all kinds of illegal activity on South Memphis’ Melrose Street at East McLemore, where the road dead ends into busy railroad tracks.
“We were homeless and addicted out here,” Ben Owen said, “and we prayed a prayer that if God got us out of that hell, we’d come back for everybody we left behind.”
They did.
The couple returned to Memphis from Georgia and bought and renovated the crack houses where they had spent years in addiction.
The We Fight Monsters properties sit right next door to the former nursing home campus. It opened as the Tennessee Home for the Incurables in 1908. The name later changed to “The Kings Daughters and Sons Home for the Incurables,” a national Christian non-denominational organization.
The institution became home for people who had cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, those paralyzed from car wrecks, and other conditions regarded as “incurable.”
A 1965 report describes the Kings Daughters and Sons Home as “a non-sectarian institution that cares for more than one hundred people who have non-contagious and incurable diseases.”
Starting in the 1930s, thousands of Memphians would participate in an annual fundraiser for the Home for the Incurables, in a citywide Christmas caroling campaign.
Carolers would ring the doorbells of Memphis residents, request a donation, and then would sing “Carols for the Incurables” in gratitude. In the 1950s, as many as 3,750 carolers sang their hearts out for the Home for the Incurables citywide.
When the Liberty Bowl game moved to Memphis in 1965, carolers started singing at the entrance of the stadium and requested donations. The South Memphis campus served hundreds of people for more than 95 years of uninterrupted service until the Kings Daughters and Sons sold the property and moved to a new, modern campus on Appling Road in Bartlett in 2003.
A succession of owners of 1467 East McLemore have been unable to do anything meaningful with the property, which has become 76,000 square feet of neglect, decay, and ruin.
Now, Ben Owen and Memphis attorney Vanecia Belser Kimbrow have united forces and are seeking millions of dollars in support to transform the crumbling campus into a place where people can recover and relaunch their lives.
Kimbrow, who chairs the Board of Trustees at LeMoyne Owen College, has devoted her working life to urban and community development.
“He read our vision and mission on our website, and I read his, and we knew that the purpose and mission had been married,” said Kimbrow, who became sold on We Fight Monsters’ dream for redevelopment of the long-forgotten campus.
Even though all the windows were smashed, and many walls were filled with graffiti, Kimbrow bought the “Incurables” property with the intention of restoring it to serve South Memphis as a nursing home.
“It was dilapidated, an eyesore, had been abandoned for several years,” the attorney said.
“It’s a jewel that needed to be preserved,” Kimbrow told a reporter. “I acquired the asset, and I just knew South Memphis needed some additional resources.”
Kimbrow says she searched high and low for years for the right community partner until she was contacted by Ben Owen, who shared his vision for the site.
“So, the partnership has been forged,” Kimbrow said, “We hope we have found in Ben and We Fight Monsters the right community partner to bring treatment to the most distressed segments of our community right here at this facility.”
The “We Fight Monsters” mission has attracted supporters from around the corner and far-flung locales across America.
Ben Owen maintains a robust presence on social media attracted people to the recent clean-up day, like Steve Williams from Washington, D.C., who found out about it through LinkedIn.
“My wife and I were looking for a way to help our adult children out,” Williams said in between toting loads of cut vegetation to a dumpster with his wife, who also volunteered.
The Williams’ children suffer from addiction, including a daughter who Steve Williams says uses fentanyl in San Francisco.
“We couldn’t get them out,” Williams said.
“We came to Ben and Jessica to see if there’s any way they could help,” the retiree said. “They gave us words of wisdom and fortitude and got us out on the streets of Tenderloin (in San Francisco) looking for our daughter. We’ve found her multiple times, but we’ve come back to try to give back to Ben and Jess what they’ve given us,” said Williams as he picked up another load of cut weeds that have gone untended for decades.
“I came from Washington State,” said Virginia Burton, a former addict now recovered for 12 years who hosts a podcast, “Modern America.”
Burton says she was an addict for 30 years, was arrested numerous times, and went to alcohol and drug treatment centers that failed to deliver permanent recovery.
“I consistently was intervened on by a system that ineffectively served me,” Burton said. “And I had to take a look at that and say, ‘If they knew better, they’d do better.‘”
Burton came to the clean-up day in South Memphis all the way from her home in Seattle, where she teaches a re-entry program inside Washington State prisons.
But Burton also travels to Nashville regularly to serve as a consultant for the State of Tennessee Department of Human Services.
“One hundred percent of my mission is to help people like me get up and get out of where they’re at,” Burton said. “I try to really focus on that at a policy level, because doing that one person at a time just isn’t enough for me, especially right now in our country, we are seeing people spiral out of control...
“We have a system that’s enabling that and we’re seeing a tremendous amount of self-destruction, and our system doesn’t know how to fix that, but we do,” the recovered addict said.
Burton sys she especially admires the We Fight Monsters model of recovery through service, “I love what Ben and Jessica are doing because we’re taking lived experience, meaning having the contributing circumstances and having overcome those things and coming in with a process that actually helps people turn and change their lives, “ Burton said.
“Ben Owen and I used to do drugs together on Melrose, probably about 20 years ago, and we kind of terrorized this neighborhood,” said Robert Kimbrell, a recovered drug addict who admits to dealing drugs and working as a pimp on the dead end of Melrose.
Kimbrel spent a recent Saturday sweeping the Incurables’ front driveway and remembering his old life.
“I was doing meth, heroin, fentanyl, crack and I did those drugs for like 16 years,” Kimbrel said. We Fight Monsters now owns Kimbrel’s former properties on Melrose, where once homeless people now live in far safer surroundings.
After Kimbrel was released from prison, he says he underwent drug treatment and was reunited with Ben Owen. Kimbrel became sold on Owen’s mission. “I haven’t found a better treatment than We Fight Monsters,“ Kimbrel said.
The Incurables project is a gigantic step of faith for We Fight Monsters and attorney Kimbrow. The nonprofit keeps buying former drug houses in South Memphis and has a team of recovered people working to restore them.
“Our goal has always been to shut down the ‘trap houses’ (Owen’s name for places where drugs and sex are sold), the drivers of every bit of instability and chaos in communities where they exist.” Owen said.
We Fight Monsters also operates REBOS (SOBER spelled backwards), Memphis houses where men and women find safe and sober housing, often after serving sentences imposed by Drug Court.
But this venture into the Incurables site reclamation is a bold and unlikely venture by any estimation.
“The fact that it butts up to our block is perfect,” Ben Owen said on the recent clean up day. “The name, the history, everything, it’s all God ordained... The community obviously supports it; I just can’t think of a better place to do this. We’re in one of the most impoverished and violent zip codes in America, and it’s ready for something different.”
“Amen!” said his wife, Jess.
And attorney Kimbrow offered her own affirmation: “What better cause? To save our community, to save our citizens, to save our families,“ the community development and urban renewal lawyer said.
Go to wefightmonsters.org to learn more and get involved.
Click here to sign up for our newsletter!
Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.
Copyright 2025 WMC. All rights reserved.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Good Tuesday evening, everyone:A HISTORIC RAIN AND STORM EVENT IS IN THE MAKING FOR MEMPHIS AND THE MID-SOUTH!A Wind Advisory is in effect for Memphis and most of the Mid-South Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. CT. A Flood Watch is in effect for Memphis and all of the Mid-South from Wednesday afternoon to Sunday morning. There is an Enhanced to Moderate Risk (Levels 3 and 4 of 5) for strong to severe storms Wednesday into Thursday mornin...
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Good Tuesday evening, everyone:
A HISTORIC RAIN AND STORM EVENT IS IN THE MAKING FOR MEMPHIS AND THE MID-SOUTH!
A Wind Advisory is in effect for Memphis and most of the Mid-South Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. CT.
A Flood Watch is in effect for Memphis and all of the Mid-South from Wednesday afternoon to Sunday morning.
There is an Enhanced to Moderate Risk (Levels 3 and 4 of 5) for strong to severe storms Wednesday into Thursday morning.
Tonight will become cloudier and much windier.
Tomorrow will be dangerously windy well before the first major downpour occurs. Strong to severe storms develop and arrive by mid to late-afternoon. The line of strong to severe storms moves across memphis and the Mid-South from Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night. Large hail, damaging wind, flooding and tornadoes are all on the table.
Rounds of heavy rain and storms continue through Sunday morning.
Rain chance: 0%. There'll be a Flood Watch Wednesday afternoon through early Sunday for the Mid-South. During this time, the National Weather Service said to expect "severe storms and generational flooding."
Winds: 10/15 mph.
Key Days:
Local Weather for Memphis and the Mid-South
Tuesday Night: Sunset - 7:21 p.m. CT. Increasing clouds, increasing wind speeds. Mild. Overnight lows in the 60s. Wind: SE10-20, Gusts 30-35 mph.
Wednesday: Sunrise - 6:46 a.m. CT. Dangerously windy all day as temps skyrocket. Strong to severe storms develop and arrive between 3 and 5 p.m. CT. Dangerously stormy weather moves across Memphis and the Mid-South from the afternoon into Wednesday night. Highs near 85 degrees. Wind: S 15-25, Gusts 40-50 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely with a Slight Risk of strong to severe storms. Highs in the upper 70s. .
Friday: Showers and storms likely. Highs in the upper 70s.
Saturday: Showers and storms likely. Highs in the upper 70s.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy and cooler with a chance of showers. Four-to-five-day rain totals 6 to 10 inches will be common with some communities receiving up to 12 inches of rain. Highs in the low 60s.
Monday: Mostly sunny and chilly to cool. Highs near 60 degrees
Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood.
Trending stories:
UPDATE: Billy Richmond Jr., the owner of Wing Guru, has issued a statement regarding his tax fraud and theft charges.***MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The owner of popular hot wings franchise Wing Guru has been charged with theft greater than $250,000 and two counts of sales tax fraud.Billy Richmond Jr. was indicted March 6 and jailed on a $50,000 bond, records show.He is accu...
UPDATE: Billy Richmond Jr., the owner of Wing Guru, has issued a statement regarding his tax fraud and theft charges.
***
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The owner of popular hot wings franchise Wing Guru has been charged with theft greater than $250,000 and two counts of sales tax fraud.
Billy Richmond Jr. was indicted March 6 and jailed on a $50,000 bond, records show.
He is accused in the indictment of trying to evade state sales taxes between 2018 and 2022.
Richmond played basketball for the University of Memphis and Vanderbilt University before returning to his hometown and opening the first Wing Guru location on Mount Moriah in 2016, according to the company’s website.
Wing Guru has five Memphis-area locations, plus locations in Atlanta and Houston.
People WREG spoke with said that the writing was already on the wall for Wing Guru, citing the restaurant’s high prices.
“We knew Wing Guru was getting real expensive,” Sierra Lewis said.
After learning what Richmond is accused of, they said it all made sense.
Sierra and Carmel Lewis said they like the food but have been questioning why it’s gotten so pricey.
A WREG reporter stopped by Richmond’s last known address in Collierville to ask for a statement.
We saw someone inside, but no one answered the door.
“I think it’s not right,” Carmel Lewis said. “I think we is already in a recession. We already struggling and over-priced food is crazy.”
These charges come after the Commercial Appeal reported Richmond was ordered by an arbitrator to pay Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant more than $365,000 after using Morant’s likeness without paying him.
Morant tweeted about the contract back in 2022.
Under the contract, Morant was supposedly set to be paid $75,000 a year, but after four months, he allegedly told the Commercial Appeal that the payments stopped.
“I feel like they are going to have a hard time paying that back,” Carmel Lewis said.
WREG obtained court records from January of this year, which show Richmond has yet to be served despite several attempts from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
901-414-2388
