Colleen Gilmore spent much of her adult life in India as a career missionary, but now the retiree embarks on a different adventure every day at Heritage House Nursing Center.

Gilmore set out for India in 1949 with an organization that was the precursor to the Peace Corps. She served as Bishop J. Waskom Pickett’s secretary, taught classes and performed other missionary work in numerous cities in India over the course of several decades.

“You probably know the story of Doubting Thomas,” Gilmore said. “He did not believe when the others told him Jesus was alive until he saw him. He knew that he really had resurrected, and he decided to go to India in 52 A.D. to spread the gospel.”

Like Thomas, Gilmore also enjoyed spreading the gospel in India, and she was there as recently as 2009; however, living a life full of adventure took a toll on her.

“The doctor told me I had about eight things wrong with me,” she said. “To tell you the truth, I’m only here by God’s grace and a lot of prayer. I just about died.”

Gilmore said she has since landed in the best place possible, Heritage House Nursing Center.

Saturday concludes Nursing Home Week in Mississippi, and Gilmore and numerous others in the Vicksburg and Warren County community have had plenty of cause for celebration.

Gilmore said the food is her favorite part, particularly that she doesn’t have to cook it.

“If you don’t want what they have on the menu, they have a short alternate choice,” she said. “But it’s always good food.”

Just next door on Wisconsin Avenue, at Belmont Gardens, an assisted living center, John Anderson and James Earl “Sam” Price say they’ve enjoyed their time as well.

“It’s a good place to live if you need the accommodations,” Price said. “They see you take your medicines, check on you and the food is delicious.”

Price moved into the facility while recovering from an injury. The staff literally got him on his feet again.

“I was getting over that and trying to learn how to walk again,” he said. “I needed a little bit of help.”

Price admits he was unsure about what it would be like moving into an assisted living facility but added it’s worked out for the best.

“I was hesitant and I didn’t much agree with it, but I really didn’t have much choice,” he said. “I had to have somebody to help me, but I’ve been very much pleased with it.”

Anderson echoed the good things Price had to say about Belmont Gardens and said he’s had no complaints about the facility.

“[My favorite part is] no yard work,” he said. “I used to have several acres. When it gets hot in July and August, you can regret having a big yard really quickly.”

Anderson said he also wanted to give his compliments to the chef.

“It’s made me lose my girlish figure, but other than that it’s excellent,” he said. “I’ve gained a little weight sometimes, but that’s because the food here is so good.”

Anderson added the staff is very congenial.

“They’re very nice to deal with,” he said. “If they can put up with me, they can put up with anybody.”