Emily Shotwell is the kind of person who makes you feel instantly at home. Her smile is the first thing you notice—bright, genuine, and quick to appear. Spend a few minutes with her, and you’ll understand why everyone at Renaissance Assisted Living of Greene County looks forward to crossing her path. Emily’s laughter bubbles up easily, and she’s always ready with a witty comeback or a story that leaves you grinning.

Emily’s story begins in the small, spirited town of Madison, Virginia, where she was one of seven siblings in a house that never ran short on love or laughter. Those early years shaped her outlook: family first, kindness always, and there’s no such thing as too much fun around the dinner table.

Hard work has always been Emily’s way. After graduating from Madison County High School, she poured her heart into raising her own two daughters and spent an incredible forty years nurturing children as a Home Daycare Provider. Her love—steady, patient, and overflowing—has touched generations, including her grandchildren, who are the apples of her eye.

Emily is no stranger to adventure, either. She’s wandered the beaches of Hawaii, marveled at Arizona’s canyons, soaked in Maine’s sea breezes, and stretched out under Florida’s sun. Every trip gave her new stories, but her heart is happiest at home—tending her garden, sharing a home-cooked meal, and sipping a Club Soda or Ginger Ale on the porch.

She’s got a legendary sweet tooth (cookies, ice cream, pie—you name it, she’s game!) and a soft spot for the drama of soap operas and the fun of game shows. She still loves to reminisce about growing up on a farm, where she never shied away from hard work or muddy boots.

Faith is the steady thread in Emily’s tapestry. A lifelong Rose Park United Methodist Church member, she’s never missed a Sunday and now treasures attending services with her daughter and joining Bible studies at Renaissance. Her mornings start with a cozy cup of decaf tea or coffee, a little local news, and a lot of heart.



To know Emily is to be reminded of the joy that comes from a life steeped in love, laughter, and a healthy dash of adventure. She’s more than a resident—she’s the warmth in our halls and the sunshine in our days. We are so grateful for Emily Shotwell, whose heart is as generous as her smile is bright.