State Gazette photo/Vanessa Cain The family of Mrs. Elizabeth Todd enjoys a moment on the bench in the beautiful memorial garden created at Canterbury Place in her honor. Todd, who served on the Canterbury Board from the very first meeting until she passed away, helped to create and nurture the warm atmosphere that exists at Canterbury to this day. From left, seated, daughter Bet Todd of Dallas, Canterbury Place Administrator Tracy Childress, daughter Kathleen Rose of Arizona; standing, Wesley Housing Corporation of Memphis Vice President and COO Jim Nasso, son Hugh Todd of Dyersburg, brother John Hoff of Dyersburg, Wesley Housing Corp. of Memphis Director of Healthcare Sally Ostheimer, and husband Jack Todd of Dyersburg. Not pictured is grandson Hunter Todd of Dyersburg.

Community leaders, residents and staff of the facility, church members and friends joined together on Tuesday for the dedication of the Elizabeth Todd Memorial Garden, a part of Canterbury's celebration of its first decade of ministry to seniors in the Dyer County area.

"I think it is very fitting and appropriate that we name a garden after Mrs. Elizabeth," said Canterbury board member Hubert Jones, who compared Todd's work and dedication for Canterbury place to his wife's four rules of gardening.

Jones said a good gardener prepares the soil, selects the appropriate flowers, maintains the plants and enjoys the beauty of the finished bed.

"Mrs. Elizabeth was involved (in Canterbury Place) from the get-go," said Jones, who said Todd's participation in the facility from its first planning sessions helped to prepare the soil for the ministry. "Second, she wanted a facility that would be a home, not an institution. Third, she was on the Canterbury Board until she passed away. She nurtured Canterbury through the good times and bad times."

Finally, Jones said that a garden should be a thing of beauty, a site that glorifies God.

"I don't think anyone who knew Mrs. Elizabeth could say that her life was anything but a thing of beauty," said Jones. "Her purpose in life was to glorify God."

Wesley Housing Corporation of Memphis Vice President and COO Jim Nasso presented the opening remarks, giving a short history of Canterbury Place and applauding the dedication of the community in the creation and growth of the facility. A prayer was offered by Dr. Phillip Cook of First United Methodist Church, with resident Peggy Bradshaw also sharing memories of Todd at the ceremony.

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"In our 10th year of gracious living in this Dyersburg area, (we are so proud to honor) a true believer and a dreamer of Canterbury Place, Mrs. Elizabeth Todd," said Canterbury Place Administrator Tracy Childress. "We are so proud to have a spot for beautiful flowers and beautiful moments (that) Mrs. Todd will watch over every day."

Several members of Todd's family traveled from the Western United States for the dedication and were reunited with local family members. The group was treated to a moment in the beauty of the garden where Childress was careful to plant many of Todd's favorite flowers.

"This (garden) is good for the soul," said Todd's husband, Jack Todd. "But we thank you even more for what you do inside. Taking care of people, because that's where Elizabeth's love was."