Celebrating Residents’ Stories: Life Lessons From Our Seniors

Every hallway at Lakeshore holds a story, and if the walls could talk, we’d probably need to pull up a chair and pour another cup of coffee. Our residents have lived big, beautiful, sometimes messy lives, filled with love, laughter, hard lessons, and moments that shaped who they are today. And the best part? They’re still learning, growing, and happy to share a bit of hard-earned wisdom along the way.

In this post, we’re celebrating the incredible voices that make our senior living community feel like home. From gentle reminders about what really matters to stories that make us smile, these reflections are proof that experience is a gift. Consider this a love letter to the spirited people who define Lakeshore Senior Living.

Why These Stories Matter

Before we share individual stories, it’s worth pausing to reflect on why listening to our elders matters so much. When we take the time to listen, we gain:

• Perspective that only years can provide; the kind that helps us see challenges with patience and clarity
• Lessons shaped by real experience, not trends or quick fixes
• A deeper appreciation for resilience, especially through change and uncertainty
• Stories that connect generations, reminding us how much we actually share
• Gentle reminders to slow down, laugh often, and hold onto what matters most

The reflections that follow come from residents who have lived fully, loved deeply, and learned along the way. 

Voices of Our Community

Mr. Dwaine “Bud” Blackman

At Lakeshore Senior Living, every resident carries a lifetime of stories, wisdom, and experiences. One of those residents is Mr. Dwaine Blackman—though he’ll quickly tell you he prefers to be called Bud.

Bud is originally from Arab, AL, and has been part of the Lakeshore Senior Living community for the past seven months. His life story is rooted in service, love, friendship, and a deep respect for others; values that continue to guide him today.

At just 20 years old, Bud entered the United States Army, where he served as a transportation truck driver. During his time in the military, he made many friends, but two of those friendships stood the test of time and continued throughout the years. Bud often reflects on how important those connections were, saying that friendship truly is a way of life. “If it wasn’t for friendship,” he shares, “there’s no telling what we’d do in this world.”

The Army also shaped Bud in other lasting ways. As a young man, he admits he was a “know-it-all,” but military life quickly taught him humility, respect, and the importance of listening. Bud believes strongly that the draft was a good thing and feels that everyone could benefit from serving in the military, even if only for a short time. His biggest life lesson is simple yet powerful: do your best, show respect to others, and take the time to listen.

While stationed in Virginia, Bud’s heart remained back home, especially with a young woman named Patricia. In one of his favorite memories, Bud recalls receiving a three-day pass and driving 250 miles straight home just to see her. The two had met at church in Arab and were married in 1960. This year marks an incredible 65 years of marriage.

Bud proudly says they’ve only ever had “one fight”—a joke he learned in the Army that, according to him, started on their wedding day and never ended. Ms. Pat, who now resides in Lakeshore’s Memory Care community, has never found that joke quite as funny.

Ms Patricia also has an impressive career of her own. She worked for 35 years on the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville as a secretary for NASA, supporting work that helped shape history.

Together, Bud and Pat raised one son and are proud grandparents to one granddaughter.

After his military service, Bud worked for PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company) in Huntsville, where he helped design windshields for airplanes, another role that required precision, teamwork, and pride in his work.

In his free time, Bud enjoyed fishing, traveling, and especially trips to the Tennessee mountains, which were a favorite for him and Pat. One of his most unique hobbies was rewiring and collecting old fans, a pastime that combined curiosity, patience, and skill.

Today, Bud says he enjoys living at Lakeshore Senior Living because it’s convenient, social, and feels like home. He appreciates being close, just 12 miles from where he grew up, enjoys the food, and values the opportunity to stay connected with others.

Miss Dorothea “Dot” Presten

Meet Miss Dorothea Presten, though she prefers to go by Dot. Born in Luedenschied, Germany, Dot’s life story is filled with adventure, resilience, and a love for family and community.

As a young woman, Dot loved to dance, and it was during one of these nights out that she met a young G.I. from Arab, Alabama. He was a fantastic dancer, and their shared love of music and movement sparked a lifelong connection. At just 20 years old, Dot married and moved to the United States. She fondly recalls her very first American meal, noting the surprise of seeing corn on the table: “What’s that doing on the table? We only feed corn to chickens!” Despite the small cultural surprises, she quickly adapted to her new life.

Dot cherishes her German roots, especially the food, which she says she misses the most. She was the youngest of five siblings and experienced the deep sorrow of losing her older brother during World War II in France. Though she lived in the United States for 35 years before becoming a U.S. citizen, Dot maintained a strong connection to her homeland, visiting every other year.

Her passions include knitting, cooking, gardening, and she has always been an avid dog lover. Her precious little Yorkie companion is Noel. Dot believes in living a life guided by faith and wisdom, offering this advice to others: “Believe in the Lord and take advice from your elders.”

Dot has been a cherished member of the Lakeshore Senior Living family for two years. She loves the friendships she has formed with both staff and fellow residents and enjoys being an active, social part of the community.

Mardia “Buddy” Strickland

Meet Mardia “Buddy” Strickland, a cherished member of the Lakeshore Senior Living community. Born and raised in Rossville, Georgia, Buddy’s life has been full of faith, family, and music.

One of his fondest memories is marrying his beautiful wife, Laura—they have been happily married for 70 years. Beyond family, Buddy has always loved playing the piano, fishing, and sharing snacks and conversation with friends. His warm spirit and love for people shine in everything he does.

Buddy has devoted his life to ministry, serving as a minister since he was 18 years old. His greatest advice to others is simple yet profound: “Give your heart and life to Jesus,” and raise your family in a godly manner. Buddy lives by these principles, cherishing the company of others and taking comfort in knowing he is living a meaningful life.

For the past year, Buddy has been a wonderful resident at Lakeshore Senior Living. He enjoys connecting with staff and fellow residents, sharing his wisdom, and bringing joy to everyone around him.

Lakeshore Living is a Place Where Stories Continue

The stories shared here are just a small glimpse into the heart of Lakeshore. Every day, laughter fills the hallways, friendships form over shared meals, and moments, both big and smal, are celebrated together. It’s a place where experience is respected, individuality is embraced, and no one’s story ever feels finished.

If these stories resonated with you, we’d love to welcome you to Lakeshore. Whether you’re exploring options for yourself or a loved one, there’s no better way to understand what makes this community special than experiencing it firsthand.

Schedule a visit, meet our residents, and see how we support meaningful living; one story, one connection, and one day at a time. Contact us today to learn more.