Goodwill Nursing Home was the dream of Louise Yarbrough Lockhart. Louise wanted to become a nurse so she took the opportunity to travel with the only physician in the area who treated ill and infirmed individuals in rural areas. It was the beginning of Louise's love of ministering to others in need.

Louise obtained her nursing training at McCall Hospital in Rome, Georgia, and obtained her licenses in the early 1930's. She and her husband, Charlie, moved to Macon, Georgia, in 1942, and her passion for caring for the needy led her to begin working at the Mercy Hospital.

On July 2, 1952, after much prayer and determination, Louise and Charlie opened their home and began caring for four ladies who needed care and had no place to live. Goodwill Nursing Home was founded as a partnership with God, based on the desire to administer to those in need. Louise was well-grounded in her faith and trusted in God to provide all her and the residents' needs. She had a favorite Bible verse that she lived by and practiced daily: "Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me," Matt. 25:40 (KJV). Goodwill Nursing Home is God's home.

Charlie quit his job with W. M. Good Construction Company in the late 1950s and began construction on the present buildings of Goodwill Nursing Home. These consist of four wings: Faith Hall I, completed in 1960; Faith Hall II, completed in 1963; and Haven of Rest I and Haven of Rest II, completed in 1967. Upon completion Goodwill's bed capacity became 172. It was all made possible by faith in God, love, and the determination of Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart. Louise Lockhart had finally accomplished her dream.

On April 11, 1968, Louise went home to be with God after suffering congestive heart failure and a stroke. Her legacy lived on with Charlie Lockhart and their children who continued to operate the facility until 1982, at which time the family leased the facility. Charlie Lockhart went home to be with God on January 4, 2000. The facility remained leased until December 2005, when the Lockhart family once again began operating the home.

Throughout the years there have been other operators of Goodwill Nursing Home. However, with the return of the Lockhart family, the values upon which the home was founded will remain the primary focus. Goodwill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is and will always be operated on the Christian principals of love and care for the aged and infirm. We strive to give them "A Home Away from Home."