Ralph E Cowart, Jr. ALA-NBC, FACHCA is a native of Emanuel County, having attended public schools and graduated from Swainsboro High School. He attended Ogeechee Technical College and the University of Georgia. After completing his education, Ralph worked in the family business, Johnson Funeral Homes, for several years before pursuing a career in Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Care administration. He then served as the Director of Business Development for Gentiva Hospice. In 2011, his love for geriatrics led him to Southern Manor Retirement Inn which he purchased in partnership with Alan Skipper, MSN, ANP-BC. Subsequently, they acquired Lakeview Manor Community in Springfield, GA in 2015, The Gardens at Southern Manor in Statesboro in 2016, and opened Southern Manor Companion Care in 2015, a private sitter service for people who wish to stay at home.
Ralph is currently serving as the President of the Assisted Living Association of Georgia (ALAG) Board of Directors where he has also served as the Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President. He serves on The Board of Directors for the Averitt Center for the Arts, The Emeritus Board for the Statesboro Bulloch County Breast Cancer Foundation, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). In 2012, Ralph became dually nationally certified in his field. Through these certifications, he serves as a member of the American College of Healthcare Administrators (ACHCA) and, in 2017, became a Fellow of The American College of Healthcare Administrators as well as the National Association of Long Term Care Administrators’ (NAB).
Ralph is a member of the Bulloch and Effingham Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, he was named to the Statesboro Herald’s “Top 20 under 40.” Ralph is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro and the “Golden K” Kiwanis Club for seniors of which is was a founding member in their facilities. Ralph and Alan attend Statesboro First United Methodist Church.
Alan Skipper, DNP, FNP-BC is a native of Guyton, GA, having attended public schools and graduating from South Effingham High School. In 2005, Alan obtained his Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from the College of Coastal Georgia. Fueled by a passion for helping others, Alan was accepted to Georgia Southern University and quickly worked to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 2008. After attending Georgia Southern, Alan enrolled in Valdosta State University and graduated in 2012 with a Master’s Degree in Nursing with a focus on adult health, concentrating in geriatrics. Alan also attended the University of Massachusetts, Boston to obtain his Family Nurse Practitioner Certification. He completed his Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa in 2017.
Alan’s extensive work portfolio includes experience working as an RN for Memorial Health University Medical Center in Critical Care and working as the Regional Clinical Director for Gentiva Hospice. Alan purchased Southern Manor Retirement Inn in March 2011 in partnership with Ralph E. Cowart, JR ALA-NBC, FACHCA. They subsequently purchased Lakeview Manor Community in Springfield, GA in 2015, The Gardens in Statesboro in 2016 and Southern Manor Home Care, a non-medical home care service that assists people who wish to stay at home.
Alan is a Georgia Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and a National Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In 2012, Alan served on the honor council at Valdosta State University. He was named Outstanding Master’s in Nursing Student of the Year and was invited to be a member of the honorable Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Society which is open to only the nation’s top 5% of nurses who excel in scholarship. Alan has also served on the Board of Directors for the Assisted Living Association of Georgia (ALAG). He is a member of National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), the Bulloch and Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, and the United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Georgia. In 2016, Alan was named to the Statesboro Herald’s “Top 20 under 40” and Georgia Southern University’s “Top 40 under 40 Alumni.” Alan also has a love for flying and is currently working to obtain his private pilot’s license. He and Ralph attend Statesboro First United Methodist Church.
Grace is a native of Bulloch County having attended public schools and graduated from William James High School class of 1964. She obtained her nursing degree from Swainsboro Technical College in 1975. Ms. Grace was employed by Bulloch Memorial Hospital from 1971 until 1976. From 1976 until 2008 she was office nurse for Stephen Jordan, MD. After 32 years with Dr. Jordan she began as Health Services Director at Gentilly Gardens Assisted living from 2009-2014. Grace’s experience and knowledge in both the hospital and out-patient setting make her a wonderful asset to the residents and staff of Southern Manor Senior Living. Grace is the daughter of the late Moses and Virginia Jackson and Mother of Bert & Rodney Holloway. She is a member of The Original First African Baptist Church of Statesboro where she sings in the total praise choir and is President of the church nursing ministry. She is a member Statesboro Chapter of the NAACP.
Luvirn was born and raised in Bulloch County. Luvirn was taught to cook at age 14 at the Parkwood Inn by Ms. Willie Mae Goodman. She trained under Mrs. Goodman for over a decade and then continued working in food services at Orchard Manor Nursing Home. In 1995 joined Southern Manor’s staff as the Head Chef and is the longest serving employee of Southern Manor. In addition to her work at Southern Manor she also owns her own catering business. She has 4 children and 4 grandchildren. Luvirn is a member of Mount Zion A.M.E. in Leefield, Ga.
RuthAnn (Smith) Newton was born and raised in Candler County Georgia. She graduated from Metter High School and Ogeechee Technical College with a 4.0 GPA and Presidents List in Medical Assisting and Administrative Services. RuthAnn was the Social Services Director for Azalea Nursing and Rehabilitation in Metter, Georgia for 14 years before coming to Southern Manor Senior Living in 2002. RuthAnn is the second longest serving employee of Southern Manor. She is a member of Mt. Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church where she serves as the financial secretary, announcement clerk and Sunday School secretary. She is also a member of the Candler County NAACP. RuthAnn has two children, 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Judith Eastman was raised in Amherst, N.Y. Judith graduated from Williamsville High School in 1962 and Erie Community College. She was the Activities Supervisor at Beechwood Continuing Care in Amherst, N.Y. for nearly a decade before coming to work as the Lifestyle Director at Southern Manor in 2006. Judith is a Certified P.A.C.E. Instructor. She is a member of New Covenant Church where she leads the intercessory prayer and is on the welcome committee. Judith has 3 sons, 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, two dogs, and two cats.