“I knew this place was for me the moment I walked in."

Phyllis Guarjardo was born in 1959 in Gastonia, North Carolina, at the very hospital where her mother worked as a nurse. She grew up in a large, close-knit family as the oldest of nine children. “We were all close in age,” she says. “My mom even had a set of twins, and we were raised together in Charlotte with a lot of love and a lot of watchful neighbors keeping an eye on us.”

Phyllis’s early life had a distinctly Southern rhythm, but she knew she wanted to see more of the world. After working for the South Carolina Department of Mental Retardation, a job she found deeply rewarding, Phyllis made a decision that would shape the rest of her life. She joined the U.S. Navy in the early 1980s.

“It was the best thing I ever did,” she says. “The Navy gave me purpose, opened doors, and gave me opportunities I never imagined.” She rose through the ranks to become a Senior Chief (E-8), which was a significant achievement, especially as a woman in a male-dominated field. She served as a logistics technician, which she describes as similar to human resources and office management. Her role took her all over the world, alternating between overseas and stateside assignments. “I liked taking care of the people who worked for me. That was always my goal.”

Phyllis met her husband while serving, and later had a son named Phillip. Today, Phillip lives just down the street with his wife and two young children. “He’s a psychiatrist,” Phyllis says with a smile. “He wanted me nearby, and I’m glad. It’s such a blessing to be close to him and my grandchildren.”

After more than two decades in the Navy, Phyllis retired and then took a position in the federal government’s HR department, continuing the kind of work she had done in the military. “It was another blessing,” she says. “I had good people around me, and I knew when it was time to retire for good.”

Today, Phyllis lives at Royal Atrium Inn, which she considers her final and forever home.

“I knew this place was for me the moment I walked in. I feel safe. I feel at home. The people, both staff and residents, are so friendly and welcoming. It reminds me a little of the Navy again, having our own rooms and that shared sense of purpose.”

She stays active through daily activities and field trips for residents. “We walk to another building and stay until about 11 a.m. doing crafts, games, and different outings. It’s nice to have something to look forward to each day.”

Even in retirement, Phyllis remains a proud advocate for the Navy and often encourages young people to consider a career in the service. “The Navy gave me structure, discipline, and a future. You go in, and they train you for a career. You’re part of something. I always tell people, if your kids are looking for direction, the Navy is a good place to start.”

Now fully retired, surrounded by a supportive community and her nearby family, Phyllis reflects on her journey with gratitude. “This is where the Lord wants me to be until He calls me home,” she says. “And I’m thankful every day.”