A Mother’s Fighting Spirit. A Sisterhood’s Mission.

About a decade ago, Joyce Gottlieb began noticing changes in her mother, Bessie Ledbetter — a former English professor at Johnson C. Smith University. The signs became clearer when Joyce discovered a stack of legal pads at her mother’s house, filled with notes referencing Alzheimer’s disease. “I think my mom knew something was wrong,” Joyce […]

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A Daughter’s Devotion, A Company’s Commitment

The Story Behind The Fresh Market’s Partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association® When Meredith Barnes walks into her office at the headquarters of The Fresh Market in Greensboro, she sees a shelf of awards the company has earned from the Alzheimer’s Association for its years of fundraising and partnership. For Meredith, this commitment is rooted in […]

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What Alzheimer’s couldn’t take: a Charlotte family’s story of love

For nearly seven years, Annie Benn and her family cared for her father, David Roseman, as he lived with Alzheimer’s disease — and through it all, love, humor and connection never left their family. “Caring for him was truly one of the greatest honors of my life,” Annie says. It wasn’t easy. But even in […]

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Charlotte Memory Gala raises over $650,000 for Alzheimer’s research and support

More than 250 guests attended the 9th annual Charlotte Memory Gala on Saturday, May 2, raising over $650,000 for Alzheimer’s research, education and quality care through the Alzheimer’s Association – Western Carolina Chapter. Chaired by Wes & Allison Misson, the 2026 Memory Gala was held at The Westin Charlotte and featured a live and silent […]

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Inspired by a Mother’s Love: Wes and Allison Misson Chair an Evening of Impact

The youngest of three boys, Wes Misson always turned to his mother, Judy, for inspiration and guidance. She was his biggest supporter, and her family adored her. “My mom was my everything,” Wes recalled. In 2004, when Wes set out for his first year of law school at The Ohio State University Moritz College of […]

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Finding purpose in caregiving

By Sarah Osment Alzheimer’s has woven itself into the fabric of June Lederle’s family story – touching generations and reshaping lives. Her daughter-in-law, Ellen, lost her mother to the disease. Ellen’s oldest sister was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s at 58. Then, in 2019, June’s own daughter, Cathie, received the same diagnosis – at the very […]

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Honoring Jazzy Jan

When you hear the nickname “Jazzy Jan,” you can’t help but smile. It evokes energy, warmth, and a spark of joy – all of which perfectly describe the woman behind the name. Jan Codd was a vibrant soul, a beloved mother, and an elementary school teacher whose love for children never dimmed, even as Alzheimer’s […]

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When the cards changed

For Walter Nowicki, the earliest sign of his mother’s cognitive decline came during a cherished family ritual: playing cards. His parents, lifelong New Jersey residents, loved poker and blackjack. Every visit to Winston-Salem, NC with their grandsons, Robert and Michael, began with a deck of cards and a game for pennies. “It was a ritual,” […]

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Remembering the moments in between

By Sarah Osment Brian Garrison’s parents, Allen and Linda, had lived in his childhood home in Morganton, North Carolina, since he and his brother, Keith, were young. “They were first loves in a faithful marriage of 53 years,” said Brian. His dad was called to serve in Vietnam, where he earned a Purple Heart. When […]

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In the weeds, but not alone

When Janet Long’s mother, Elaine, began showing signs of memory loss, it was easy to chalk it up to aging. Janet’s father was battling cancer so they were preoccupied with his care. Following his passing, they noticed that Elaine’s occasional lapses were turning into more frequent confusion, and she was getting lost on familiar routes. […]

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