By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
June 22, 2001
Kemper Community Hospital and Nursing Facility in DeKalb is under new ownership after being purchased Thursday by John Kingery, co-owner of Hometown Hospice in Meridian.
Leslie Kingery, John's wife and also a Hometown Hospice co-owner, said her husband worked toward the purchase for some time. He closed the deal late Thursday afternoon, she said.
She said John planned the move into Kemper County because he wants to help the community.
She said the facility's name will change but she does not know when. Located at the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 39 North, Kemper Community Hospital will become Kemper Homeplace Nursing Facility.
Mike McGrevey, executive director for the Kemper County Economic Development Authority, said local officials are excited about the new owners' plans for improving "specific segments of our health care system."
After a year of planning and work by the owners, the staff at Hometown Hospice began caring for their first patient in July 1998. The Kingerys also own Challenger Paint Ball and Pro Security, all on Highway 19 North.
John Kingery is a native of Texas and lived in Kemper County for 20 years. Leslie Kingery is a native of Meridian.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.