As we celebrate Black History Month, Lucy Corr proudly honors the life and legacy of Austin Minnis Jr., whose quiet generosity helped make this community possible.
Minnis was born in 1877 in Chesterfield County to formerly enslaved parents. Through perseverance and faith, he built a life rooted in service to others. A lifelong member and deacon of Bethesda Baptist Church, Minnis believed deeply in giving back — not for recognition, but out of fidelity to his community.
In 1969, Minnis — then 92 years old — donated proceeds from the sale of 13.5 acres of his land to the Chesterfield County Nursing Home Foundation. His gift became the first substantial donation to the foundation and directly supported the construction of the Chesterfield County Nursing Home, which opened in April 1970 and would later become Lucy Corr.
Minnis’s generosity did not end there. Over the following decade, he proudly maintained a vegetable garden and regularly donated fresh produce to the nursing home’s kitchen. He also supported organizations now known as Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU Brook Road Pavilion and HopeTree Family Services.
In a full-circle moment, Minnis eventually became a Chesterfield County Nursing Home resident, spending his final years surrounded by the care and community he made possible. He passed away in 1981 at the age of 103.
Nearly 60 years after Minnis’s initial donation, Lucy Corr stands as a thriving continuing care retirement community serving hundreds of seniors. This would not be possible without Minnis’s determination that compassion and dignity should be accessible to all, regardless of means. His legacy is further honored through the Austin Minnis Jr. Fellowship Hall, a multipurpose space in the Lucy Corr Health Care Center dedicated to connection and community.
“Mr. Minnis was the embodiment of servant leadership, going from the humblest beginnings imaginable to enriching the lives of countless seniors across generations,” said Michael Cunningham, CEO of Lucy Corr. “His generosity laid a foundation that continues to shape our mission today. We are honored to carry forward his legacy and memory.”
