BHHM Articles - Baptist Homes Healthcare Ministries

Tools of an Estate Plan

Just as a carpenter has a wide range of tools, there are various tools to create an estate plan.

Will – A will is a document outlining a person’s wishes for distributing their property and assets and directing the care of dependents like children and special needs adults. Without a will, decisions about one’s estate are left to the state. It’s best to have a will prepared by an experienced estate planning attorney. Gifts to charities and ministries can be made through a will.

Trust – A trust is a fiduciary relationship where a person(s) gives a trustee the right to hold property or assets for the beneficiary’s benefit. Trusts can help transfer appreciated assets tax-efficiently, ensure continued care for a special needs loved one, and facilitate charitable gifts.

Guardianship – A will and trust instruct parents’ wishes for guardianship of their underaged or special needs children at their death.

Financial Power of Attorney for Finances allows the person you choose to manage your assets and pay your bills at death or incapacitation.

Power of Attorney for Healthcare (Advanced Health Care Directive) – A healthcare power of attorney lets your chosen person make healthcare decisions for you when you become incapacitated.

Estate planning is taking steps now to make carrying out your plan easier later. Do you need a will or trust? This is a conversation to have with an estate planning attorney or professional.

Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries has expertise in estate planning and connections with estate planning attorneys. To assist you with estate planning, contact Ron Mackey (rdmackey@bhhm.org) or Nick Davis (ndavis@bhhm.org) for a confidential conversation.

Nick Davis, Director of Advancement

Neighbor Spotlight: Sharon Lamberson

Faith, Family, and Memories

Sharon Lamberson was born on December 22, 1947, in Hannibal, Missouri, where she grew up surrounded by family, faith, and meaningful memories. She fondly remembers spending time with her sisters, Yoland and Zandra, riding bikes downtown and window shopping together. After moving to Park Avenue in third grade, Sharon recalls hearing train whistles and watching trains come in—especially remembering a kind worker who would share a piece of gum from his lunchbox.

Faith was an important part of Sharon’s upbringing, as her father served as a deacon at their Baptist church. She also cherishes memories of family trips to the St. Louis Zoo and the time spent together growing up.

Sharon graduated high school in 1965 and married the love of her life, Truman Lamberson, at South Side Baptist Church. Together, they raised four children: Truman, Shawn, Tessa, and Conn. Sharon shares that family has always been very important to her, especially Sunday mornings spent sharing breakfast together before church.

She also enjoyed attending Mark Twain Days in Hannibal, where she looked forward to getting a brat and homemade kettle corn.

When asked what she would share with the younger generation, Sharon spoke about the importance of faith, saying it helps carry you through life’s darkest times. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 121.

We are grateful to have Sharon as part of the Baptist Homes family and thankful for the faith, love, and memories she shares with our community.

Employee Spotlight: David & Judy Atkins

Together in Life & Service

David and Judy Atkins serve together as Dietary Aides at Baptist Homes of Ozark, bringing not only dedication to their roles, but also a shared heart for serving others. Judy has been with Baptist Homes for four years and was honored as the 2025 Employee of the Year at the Ozark campus. David has served for about two and a half years.

Judy finds joy in the details of her work, especially dishwashing, and takes pride in making things “look just right.” David shares that his favorite part of the job is serving the residents and offering encouragement throughout the day.

This year, David and Judy celebrate 40 years of marriage, a milestone that reflects their strong foundation of faith and commitment. Judy fondly recalls the night David proposed. They had enjoyed a nice dinner at a Chinese restaurant, where her fortune cookie read, “An outstanding opportunity will soon present itself to you.” As it turns out, it couldn’t have been more fitting.

While they do not have children of their own, David and Judy share that God has given them many opportunities over the years to invest in the lives of others.

Outside of work, they enjoy hiking, taking walks, kayaking, working on puzzles, reading, and singing together—simple moments that reflect the joy they share in both life and service.

David and Judy are a beautiful example of what it means to serve with purpose and live with intention. Their kindness, encouragement, and dedication make a lasting impact on both residents and staff.

We are truly grateful to have David and Judy as part of the Baptist Homes family and thankful for the love, faith, and joy they bring to our Ozark campus each day.

Serving with Clarity & Love

By Rodney Harrison, BHHM President

As we enter the spring season, we do so with gratitude for God’s faithfulness and renewed confidence in the direction of Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries. Over the past year, we have focused on strengthening the foundation of our ministry—ensuring our people, processes, and policies align with our mission to provide Christlike care that honors God, minimizes fear, and maximizes peace of mind.

One of our most significant efforts has been an organization‑wide focus on clarity and consistency. Teams across our campuses and home office have worked together to strengthen systems and processes so team members have clear, accessible guidance that supports quality care and regulatory readiness. This work reflects a commitment not just to compliance, but to excellence—removing unnecessary complexity so caregivers can focus on what matters most: serving our neighbors (residents) with dignity, compassion, and respect.

A simple example of this work is the effort to streamline and standardize key campus & healthcare policies. By organizing these resources in one shared, easy‑to‑navigate location, we are helping frontline staff spend less time searching for answers—and more time fully present with our neighbors. While much of this work happens quietly behind the scenes, its impact is felt daily through calmer workplaces, greater confidence, and more attentive care.

At the same time, we have continued to invest intentionally in leadership development. Conversations around servant leadership, shared learning, and cultural alignment have reinforced a long‑held conviction: strong organizations are built by strong, mission‑anchored leaders. Growth does not happen by accident; it is cultivated through humility, curiosity, prayerful reflection, and a willingness to be shaped together for the sake of those we serve.

Beyond our internal work, the past year has also required thoughtful engagement with the external environment in which we serve. Legislative updates and advocacy efforts have helped us stay informed and prepared as policy decisions continue to shape senior care across Missouri. Remaining attentive and proactive in these conversations helps protect our mission and ensures we can continue serving neighbors without compromising our Biblical values.

Equally encouraging has been our continued emphasis on community and connection. Efforts to strengthen volunteer engagement and deepen relationships with churches are bearing fruit. These partnerships extend our work beyond our walls and reinforce a simple but powerful truth, beautifully articulated in 1 Peter 4:8–10: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

As we look ahead, the work before us remains meaningful and necessary—especially as the number of seniors continues to grow each day. Challenges will remain, but so will opportunities to demonstrate faith, resilience, and unity. We are deeply grateful for the donors, volunteers, and team members who show up daily with servant hearts. Together, you are faithfully stewarding this ministry today while preparing it to serve generations to come.

Legislative Issues

By Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement

One of my responsibilities, alongside Dr. Harrison, is to represent our ministry among our legislators at our state capital in Jefferson City. We meet with senators and representatives and testify before committees for or against various legislative measures.

Currently there are two very similar pieces of legislation being presented in the House of Representatives which advocate for legalized assisted suicide. There are 13 states in America that now have legalized assisted suicide. Missouri is one of 19 states that have pending legislative proposals to legalize assisted suicide. Fortunately, the House of Representative bills, one proposed by Rep. Ian Mackey (no relation!) from the St. Louis area, and a second from Rep. Carolyn Caton from the Kansas City area, have not made it out of committee and may not move forward in this legislative session.

Mackey, author of one of the assisted suicide bills, references the high cost of caring for the aging in his argument for assisted suicide. So, this legislation which would end a life is motivated by saving taxpayers money.

We at Baptist Homes are strong and vocal advocates for the right to life from the womb to natural death. Advocates for assisted suicide use colorful euphemisms to describe their practices, but in reality, the laws are often confusing and many who choose assisted suicide do not have terminal illnesses but are dealing with significant psychiatric and mental health issues.

The Psalmist reminds us, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;” (Psalm 139:13-14). Aging does not diminish the value of human life. In fact, scripture teaches us that the aged have much to impart to our society. Leviticus 14:32 encourages rising in the presence of the elderly, framing this respect as a direct fear of God. Job 12:12 states, “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” Paul exhorts us in 2 Corinthians 4, ^“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” He concludes this passage with a beautiful reminder in verse 16, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

Aging is not the enemy of living, nor is it a threat to a meaningful existence. Scripture teaches us that aging is the pathway along which a new and vital understanding of the work of God is experienced. Thus, Baptist Homes and Healthcare Ministries will stand for the aging, speak on behalf of the aging, and most importantly serve, minister, and seek to further the faith of the aging that God has entrusted to our care.

I would encourage you to make a call or write an email to your local representative to share your concern over these proposed assisted suicide measures. Most of our representatives are unaware of this legislation and it would be prudent for them to be informed sooner rather than later.

Employee Spotlight: Connie Ducker

From Family to Front Desk

Connie Ducker serves as the receptionist at Baptist Homes of Ashland and has been part of the team since November 2025. In her role, Connie is often one of the first faces people see, and she takes great joy in creating a welcoming environment for all who walk through the doors.

When asked about her favorite part of the job, Connie shared that she truly enjoys interacting with guests and neighbors each day. Building those daily connections and offering a friendly presence is something she values deeply.

Connie was married for 41 years before the passing of her husband. She is the proud mother of 4 adopted children and is blessed with 4 grandchildren. Her family is incredibly important to her, and she cherishes every opportunity to spend time with them.

Outside of work, Connie enjoys a variety of music, cooking, and spending time near the water—whether it’s at a lake, pond, or the ocean. Being near the water brings her peace and joy, especially when shared with her loved ones.

Connie’s warm spirit and welcoming nature make her a wonderful part of the Baptist Homes family. We are grateful for the kindness and connection she brings to our Ashland campus each day.

Neighbor Spotlight: Jean Theiss

Choosing Care & Community

Jean Theiss was born on August 30, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in Bismarck and later lived in Owensville before making her home at Baptist Homes of Arcadia Valley.

Jean was married for 20 years and is the proud mother of one son, Carl. Her family has continued to grow over the years, and she is now blessed with four grandchildren. While she has worked many jobs throughout her life, Jean shares that her most cherished roles have always been being a wife, mother, and grandmother.

Before moving to Baptist Homes, Jean was living with her son and daughter-in-law. Wanting to give them their privacy back while also recognizing her need for additional care, she made the decision to move to Baptist Homes of Arcadia Valley.

Jean has embraced this new chapter with a positive and active spirit. She enjoys swimming, bowling, bingo, dancing, and exercising, and stays involved in many activities throughout the community. Her outgoing personality and love for staying active have helped her quickly feel at home.

In her own words, Jean shared, “I think I did the right thing to come to Baptist Homes. The staff are so nice, and the residents are just as nice. I’ve gotten close to a couple of ladies here and I’m still making friends.”

We are grateful to have Jean as part of our Baptist Homes family and are thankful for the joy, energy, and warmth she brings to our community.

The Importance of Estate Planning

Who will receive your estate if you die? Does everyone need an estate plan? What happens if you die or become incapacitated without one?

What is an estate plan?

Everyone has an estate consisting of assets such as a car, home, real estate, checking and savings accounts, retirement accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture, personal possessions, and collectibles. If you died, who would get them? If you became incapacitated (e.g. coma, unable to care for yourself), who would care for you and your finances?

An estate plan is a legal plan that states who receives your belongings upon your death, whether individuals, organizations, charities, or ministries.

Dying without a will in Missouri

In Missouri, someone who dies without a will is said to have died “intestate.” Their property will be passed along based on intestate succession. This is the state’s way of making decisions for an individual who passes away without an estate plan. This means the state of Missouri will distribute a person’s possessions, which may differ from their actual wishes. There are no exceptions for special needs, circumstances, or charitable intent.

The deceased’s property will go to their spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandchildren, nieces, aunts, and uncles. If no living relatives exist, the assets will go to the state.

A will, trust, and power of attorney are important estate-planning tools for orderly asset distribution. An attorney or estate-planning professional can help with the steps to distribute assets, protect property, and care for loved ones.

Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries has expertise in estate planning and connections with estate-planning attorneys. To assist you with estate planning, contact Ron Mackey (rdmackey@bhhm.org) or Nick Davis (ndavis@bhhm.org) for a confidential conversation.

BHHM Hires New Executive Director for Shelbina Campus

Timothy Brooks joins Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries as the new Administrator for the Shelbina campus, bringing a deep commitment to Christ-centered leadership, a heart for older adults, and more than a decade of experience serving Missouri’s long-term care communities.

Timothy has been married to his wife for 16 years, and together they are raising two wonderful children. Their family lives in Hannibal, Missouri, where faith, community, and service are central to their daily life.

Timothy felt a calling to Baptist Homes of Shelbina because of the ministry’s unwavering commitment to compassionate, Christ-honoring care. The opportunity to serve a community with such a rich history—now transitioning from county ownership into the Baptist Homes family—resonated deeply with his belief that leadership is an act of stewardship.

His journey into long-term care began as a radiologic technologist, where he learned firsthand the importance of dignity, patience, and presence in moments of vulnerability. Those early clinical experiences shaped his leadership philosophy: to serve with humility, to listen before acting, and to build systems that honor both residents/neighbors and the staff who care for them.

Timothy holds a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Administration from Ottawa University, and an Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology from Carl Sandburg College. He is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Missouri and an ARRT‑registered radiologic technologist.

Having served multiple Missouri-based providers, including roles in administration, compliance, risk management, and community relations—Timothy brings a well-rounded understanding of the regulatory, financial, and operational realities facing long-term care organizations. His leadership has been shaped by lessons in resilience, transparent communication, and the importance of building trust with staff, residents, and families.

As he steps into leadership at Baptist Homes of Shelbina, Timothy sees both challenges and opportunities. Transitioning from county ownership to a faith-based ministry requires thoughtful change management, strong community engagement, and a clear vision for sustainable growth. He is committed to honoring the home’s legacy while strengthening its future through quality improvement, staff development, and Christ-centered service.

Timothy’s short-term goals include stabilizing operations, strengthening communication, and ensuring staff feel supported and valued. Long-term, he aims to position the Shelbina campus as a model of excellence within the Baptist Homes family—known for exceptional care, strong community partnerships, and a culture rooted in compassion and integrity.

He looks forward to working closely with staff and residents to cultivate a warm, supportive environment where everyone feels known, respected, and loved. His message to families and community members is simple: “We are here to serve you with excellence, transparency, and Christ-like compassion. Your loved ones matter deeply to us, and we are honored to walk alongside you.”

Neighbor Spotlight: Mary Hopke

Faith, Family, & Devotion

Mary Hopke was born on December 9, 1944, in Hannibal, Missouri. On September 9, 1960, she married Bill Hopke, and the two shared 45 wonderful years together before his passing. Their marriage was built on love, commitment, and devotion to family.

Mary is the proud mother of four children and is blessed with six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Family has always been at the heart of her life, and she treasures the time spent with those she loves most.

Throughout her working years, Mary was employed at Maple Grove Nursing Facility in Louisiana, Missouri, where she cleaned floors. Though her role may have seemed simple to some, it was work she took pride in, helping create a clean and welcoming environment for others.

Mary accepted Jesus as her Savior around the age of 20, and her faith has remained an important part of her life ever since. Her steady faith and caring spirit have shaped the way she loves and serves others.

In her spare time, Mary enjoyed making quilts and crocheting, creating beautiful handmade pieces that reflect her patience and creativity. Above all, she loved spending time with her family, making memories that will be cherished for generations.

We are grateful to have Mary as part of our Baptist Homes family and are thankful for the warmth, faith, and kindness she brings to our community.

Complications with Simple Gift Designations

During my tenure with Baptist Homes, I have regularly encouraged donors to designate gifts to our ministry via the beneficiary designation for cash-based accounts such as checking, savings, and Certificates of Deposit. In general, these designations are simple to create. Your local financial institution can provide instructions on how to designate an individual or ministry as a Payable on Death or Transfer on Death designee.

Upon the death of the account owner, the account becomes ‘payable’ or ‘transferable’ to the designee. Simple, straightforward, no need for legal counsel to create any complicated document—once you’ve done this, all is well, right? Unfortunately, we’ve come to learn that it is not as simple as it should be. Over the years, I have had several occasions in which receiving the intended gift was anything but simple.

For example, we learned of the gift of a woman’s checking account from her widower, who was perplexed that we had not claimed his wife’s gift in over three years. Upon further investigation, we learned that the bank had held the account open for over three years but never notified the Baptist Homes that we were the designee of the Payable on Death designation. Upon further discussions with the bank, I learned that they are under no legal obligation to notify any Payable on Death designee of the arrangement. After six visits to the bank and several notarized documents, I was finally able to receive the donor’s gift. The donor’s husband was not happy with the bank he had done business with for years.

Another, more recent account involved the designation of several Certificates of Deposit for Baptist Homes from multiple banks, all from the same donor. In this case, the donor had no direct heirs and left her financial Power of Attorney in charge. In order for the Power of Attorney to represent the donor, the courts had to appoint the POA as the Executor of the deceased estate. It was at this point that the Executor reached out to us about the donation. We attempted to handle things via technology, but this was impossible. We dealt with three different banks, and they all had very different requirements. The result was an overnight trip and multiple visits to the banks accompanied by the Executor.

Recently, I have learned of potential legislation working its way through our Missouri Legislature. This legislation will require consistent and simple procedures to ensure the wishes of donors are honored. However, it doesn’t appear to be moving out of committee this year. A call or letter to your elected representative would be very helpful. Ask them to support House Bill 1924.

So, is it still a good idea to use POD and TOD designations for gifts after the passing of a donor – yes. I would suggest this follow-up information. Please provide your Financial Power of Attorney or the Executor of your estate with a written explanation of the accounts, the banking institution and the name of the charity, with instructions for your representative to notify the charity with the proper information.

Thank you for your continued support of Baptist Homes.

Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement

Employee Spotlight: Lynn Zehnder

Caring Heart, Adventurous Spirit

Lynn Zehnder serves as the MDS Coordinator and Registered Nurse at Baptist Homes of Adrian and has been part of the team since April 15, 2025. In her role, Lynn plays an important part in ensuring residents receive quality, personalized care.

When asked about her favorite part of the job, Lynn shared that she truly enjoys getting to know the residents. She appreciates that Baptist Homes of Adrian is a smaller facility, which allows her more time to spend with each resident and build meaningful relationships. She also values the supportive environment and enjoys working alongside her coworkers each day.

Lynn has been married for 25 years to her husband, whom she met on a blind date — a story that makes their journey together even more special. They have one son, Zachary, who is 23 years old.

Outside of work, Lynn enjoys gardening, reading romance novels, and traveling. One of her personal goals is to visit all 50 states — and she is well on her way, having already traveled to 39. Lynn and her family live on a farm, where she enjoys caring for their animals, especially her cat and dog.

Lynn’s compassionate heart, dedication to her residents, and love for connection make her a valued member of the Baptist Homes family. We are grateful for the care and commitment she brings to our Adrian campus each day.