Palliative Care Month: Family’s Legacy of Compassion at Hospice of Davidson County
{Contributed Photos}
By Antionette Kerr
Davidson Local
For one local family at Hospice of Davidson County, compassion isn’t just part of the job — it’s a way of life.
Ashley Walters, a registered Hospice nurse, didn’t find her calling in a classroom. It found her in heartbreak. When her father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015, she realized how unprepared she was for what came next. “I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “His Hospice nurse didn’t tell me what the sounds meant or what to look for. The grieving was harder because I didn’t understand the process. After that, I decided I wanted to help other families understand — so they could find peace where I didn’t.”
{Dakota and Tyson Waters/ Contributed Photos}
That moment changed the direction of her life. Now, Ashley is the one guiding families through those difficult days — and she’s doing it with the support of her family, including her son, Dakota Walters, who also works at Hospice of Davidson County.
A Certified Nursing Assistant and graduate of West Davidson High School, Dakota says the medical field always intrigued him. “Even when I was a kid, I’d play doctor,” he said with a grin. “We’ve got pictures of me wearing a surgical mask and using a tongue depressor on my brother.”
These days, Dakota’s playing a very real role in caring for patients and families. “She wakes me up for work,” he joked. “I leave home where Mom is, and I come to work where Mom still is.”
While Ashley and Dakota rarely share patients, they share a deep respect for the work — and for each other. Ashley says it’s been special to see her son gain skills that few nurses learn early. “He recognizes the signs of end-of-life,” she said. “That’s something not everyone gets to see. It’s hard, but it’s important.”
Dakota carries those lessons close. He still remembers one of his first patients — a man who loved fishing, racing, and Kenny Rogers. “I’d show him pictures of my weekend races and the fish I caught,” he said. “He’d wear his Kenny Rogers shirt, and we’d sing while I gave him a bath.”
When the patient passed away, Dakota said he couldn’t help but think of their last conversation. “He always shook my hand and said, ‘Thank you, I appreciate you.’ That sticks with me.”
Now, Dakota is continuing his education and working toward becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) — a goal inspired by his work at Hospice and the people he’s cared for along the way.
That kind of connection is what defines the Hospice experience, says Laura Owen, president/CEO of Hospice of Davidson County. Owen explained that many Hospice employees have personally experienced the organization’s care within their own families — experiences that deepen their empathy and strengthen their commitment to the mission.
“When we’re brave enough to lean into these experiences, we become better human beings,” Owen said. “Our staff walk with people through the hardest moments — helping them find dignity, comfort, and peace.”
Ashley Walters agrees. “We’re a family here,” she said. “I once left for another job but missed this team so much. They’re my second family.”
As Hospice of Davidson County marks its 40th service year, the organization celebrates under the banner: “Compassionate Care at Hospice of Davidson County.” The agency’s Marketing Manager, Ashley Milam, is spearheading community engagement efforts throughout the year, including a soon-to-be-released series of podcasts highlighting the people behind the mission.
The new series will feature staff members, founders, and families who have helped shape the organization’s legacy over four decades. Listeners can look forward to stories of courage, comfort, and connection — the same qualities that define Hospice care every day.
For the Walters family, that mission is personal — and ongoing. Every patient, every song, every shared moment is a reminder that compassion is more than a word on a brochure. It’s a legacy.
Last May, Hospice of Davidson County placed second in the medium category of the Triad Business Journal’s Best Places to Work Awards.
For more information about Hospice, visit www.hospiceofdavidson.org
