Emma and Charles Vernon: A Hospice story spanning 25 years

Methodist Hospice has been a part of Emma and Charles Vernon’s family’s story for 25 years.

From 1995 to 2019, the Vernons have cared for five of their loved ones at the end of their lives in their home on their farm, Vernon Farms Beef — and Methodist Hospice was there to help.

“Methodist Hospice is the best of the best. It is like having the Methodist Hospital in your home,” Emma shared.

Starting with Emma’s Aunt, Fannie Hipp, who passed away in 1995, the Vernon’s observed something special about Methodist Hospice and the team of caregivers.

“Methodist Hospice goes above what anyone would normally expect. They are so perceptive to what’s going on with the patient that they try to make their best days ever their final days. That is why we stayed with them,” Emma shared.

In the years that followed, Emma and Charles would choose Methodist Hospice again and again to care for their loved ones, including Emma’s Father, Herbert Garrison, Charles’ Father, Bruce Vernon, Emma’s Mother, Margaret Garrison, and Emma’s Uncle, John Garrison, Jr.

“When I think about all of the wonderful caregivers — the nurses, the aids, the chaplains — one word I feel is how blessed I was," Emma reflected. "These Hospice caregivers are our angels here on earth.”

One example of the extraordinary level of care the Vernon’s experienced happened with Emma’s Uncle, John Garrison Jr. in 2019. As a Navy Veteran, he did not feel appreciated for his service. Emma shared, “Methodist and all the workers really picked up on that, and they came together to give him a wonderful 95th birthday party. They brought in a Navy officer dressed in uniform, and they gave him a Certificate of Appreciation. He actually cried.”

For Emma and Charles Vernon, the Methodist Associates who took care of their loved ones are now like family.

“They have given us some of the warmest memories of our loved ones because we had them here in our home, and we heard their ‘Thanks Yous’. Methodist Hospice caregivers were the instruments who allowed us to hear those ‘Thank Yous’," Emma concluded.