Riggs Manor would not be here today without the vision, dedication, and tenacity of these two individuals. Through their hard work and leadership, Dr. Muse and Dr. Ball served on the fundraising/steering committee to build Riggs Manor.
Both gentlemen are very well respected community leaders to whom no one can say "no". Thus, they were ideal for the task at hand. Fortunately, there was a very special couple who worked at Hinds Community College who were lifelong Methodists and believed in the project. It was Dr. Muse's relationship with Marvin and Virginia Riggs that secured the initial $1 million plus gift and also led to being one of two benefactors in their will.
Dr. Ball and Dr. Muse are very much alike. They both went on to reach the pinnacle in their chosen professions: Dr. Ball as a well-loved and respected Ob/Gyn physician and Dr. Muse as the "godfather" of education in the state. They both have been actively involved in the Methodist Church. Dr. Ball served at Alta Woods and now Christ United Methodist and Dr. Muse predominantly at Raymond United Methodist Church. But more importantly than any of their accomplishments, they both understand and live by the concept of being faithful servants to others and giving back.
Riggs Manor in Raymond opened in September,1998. Riggs Manor has 80 independent living units and 24 personal care units. In 2002 the campus grew as construction began on the cottage homes at Riggs Manor.
UMSSM, now known as Methodist Senior Services led the nation in developing a new way of providing long term care by opening the Green House® Homes at Traceway in 2003. People from over 40 states and 4 foreign countries have been to Tupelo to learn about the Green Houses® because it has been so successful at providing person centered care through an in-home setting. Thanks to the significant gift of $1 million from Mrs. Virginia Riggs, the nation's first assisted living Green Houses® were opened in 2006 at Riggs Manor.
During the Spring of 2015, Riggs Manor converted its two Assisted Living Green Houses® to provide Memory Support Services to meet the growing demand for dementia care in the Jackson area. The change to the Green Houses® has been well received and they have remained full since its conversion.
The Board voted to dedicate the Activity/Conference room in their honor: "The Ball-Muse Room."
Thank you Dr. Ball and Dr. Muse for your hard work over the years to develop Riggs Manor into a great retirement community.
December 1, 2018 History & Dedication written by Board Members Alice Goreman & Jackie Granberry with Edits by Renee Reid, Director of Public Relations