TobeMc Senior Daycare was born from the unwavering compassion and legacy of Bettye Wright, a woman whose life has been defined by courageous care and steadfast service. Raised in a Kansas City home where elders were not just respected but embraced, Bettye watched her grandfather, Tobe McDaniel, walk door to door, helping widows and aging neighbors with groceries, mail, and friendship. That devotion rooted deeply in her heart, planting the seeds for what would become a powerful mission.

 

When Bettye moved to Detroit in the early 1950s, she carried her grandfather’s spirit with her. Over decades, she served as a nurse and caregiver, always attentive to the needs of those around her. After retiring from a long and impactful career, she refused to rest. She saw a gap in support for older adults in her city and believed deeply that seniors deserved more than isolation—they deserved a community. In 2017, inspired by her grandfather’s name and legacy, she launched TobeMc Senior Daycare on Detroit’s southeast side.

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From day one, TobeMc wasn’t just a place to “hang out.” It was a living, breathing home. Bettye invested her own savings to get the center off the ground. She filled it with warm, welcoming furniture, spaces for exercise, crafts, and conversation, and created programming rooted in respect, dignity, and connection.

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Over the years, Bettye’s devotion has only grown bolder. She launched a memory café to support residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia—a place where seniors can reflect, remember, and feel heard. She organized food delivery, managed clothing donations, facilitated medical clinics, and led weekly Bible studies, always making sure people were taken care of, body and soul.

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Even during hard times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, Bettye refused to step back. She personally delivered food to isolated seniors, partnered with local churches, and found creative ways to keep connections alive. Her work has never been about recognition; she doesn’t seek praise. She simply knows she was blessed, and giving back is her life’s work.

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Bettye’s journey—from a young girl watching her grandfather serve, to a nurse, to a global volunteer in Ghana, and now a tireless advocate for Detroit’s seniors—reflects the heart of TobeMc. Her courage, care, and conviction fuel our nonprofit’s mission: to honor our elders, uplift their spirits, and build a community where every senior feels safe, seen, and empowered.