Resident Stories

Culpepper Garden assisted living resident Bertha Zimmerman looks forward to celebrating her 97th birthday this December in the community she calls a “wonderful place” with “the best service.” And she should know. She moved into Culpepper Garden independent living in 1992 with her husband. After 20 years in independent living, she moved into assisted living…

“Culpepper Garden is the best thing that has happened to my mother in her life,” says Shirl Smith, youngest daughter of Francine Smith. After living in Culpepper Garden independent living for seven years, Francine began having memory problems and the family was concerned for her health and ability to care for herself. Francine was reluctant…

Tesfaye Yemane moved to Culpepper Garden in 2012 and works as a salesman at Koons Arlington Toyota. As a participant in his Koons’ Fit & Healthy Challenge employee program Tesfaye walked 1.04 million steps in 90 days earlier this year. Although the competition is over Tesfaye continues to wake at 5:30 am most mornings and…

Julia, a gracious lady, has lived at Culpepper Garden for seven years and loves being here; she says, “I call it my home.” Julia was born in Oruro, Bolivia, the youngest of five children of a German father who was in the mining business, and a Bolivian mother. Julia attended a German school until high…

Where to begin with Dee Bivens — she is such an active lady! Residents know her as the wonderful person who plays the piano in the Solarium every Tuesday evening. She also plays for Assisted Living residents twice a month. Dee first discovered the piano at age 6 when she stayed with a neighbor while…

Greg, the President of our Resident Association, is a vital part of the Culpepper Garden community. He was fortunate to find a home at Culpepper Garden and remain here in the Arlington community where he lived and worked for over 40 years. Greg graduated with a Bachelor’s of Art’s degree from the University of Richmond…