Our Family

Darlene Austin Crider

Executive Director

Darlene was raised on the mountain in our rural community and was adopted when she was three years old by her natural mother’s sister and her husband. They were both older, and she loved them very much. Growing up, she never wanted to worry them by being late or not telling them where she was. Darlene believes by growing up with them, the love for older people was instilled in her. In church, it was always the older folks that she had emotional attachments to. She always enjoyed her friends’ parents, and especially grandparents (since she never had grandparents of her own). So, as long as Darlene can remember, love for older people has been part of her character.

Darlene graduated from Whitwell High School at the top of her class in 1983 but chose to get married and raise a family instead of pursuing higher education. She was fifteen when she started working and has worked hard all her life. There is not much that she hasn’t done! Darlene has owned and operated a trucking company, as well as a restaurant. She sold insurance for several years, with the majority of her clients being seniors. She also managed a business in Chattanooga for a businessman for a few years. Darlene did all these things while raising two boys, working, and taking care of her home. Needless to say, the art of multi-tasking has definitely come in handy now.

Darlene would just really have to say that she ended up as Administrator of Valley View in 2008 as part of God’s plan. “He knew the residents would love me, and I would love them even more. He knew this because he had been preparing and instilling the qualities I would need to oversee these precious residents that he has given me. He equipped me with great staff who all feel the same way I do about our residents and their family.”

Darlene adds, “I always thank God for the opportunity to serve and thank all our families for entrusting their loved ones to our care. We are not just an Assisted Living, we are family, and this is Home!”

Alicia Condra, LPN

Director of Nursing

Alicia has been a Licensed Practical Nurse since 2005. She began her career in the medical field as a CNA working at the Generation Center of Spencer in Spencer, Tennessee while completing the Licensed Practical Nursing program at Chattanooga State Community College. She has always felt that working as a CNA, before receiving her nursing license, allowed her to gain a great appreciation for teamwork and valuable insight of just how important every employee is to providing the best care possible for residents. Alicia has always said, “I don’t know anything else besides taking care of people, and I feel as though nursing is a calling God placed in my life.”

Alicia has been married to her high school sweetheart (who is also the Maintenance Director at Valley View) for over eight years, and together they have a son. She joined the Valley View staff in 2009 and has had the opportunity to raise her son with a whole host of grannies and grandpas! Alicia feels so blessed to work in a place that feels like home and to work with people that are more like family than employees. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family in the great outdoors and hunting turkeys every chance she gets!

Brandi Graham

Activity Director

Hello everyone! I’m honored to be the new Activity Director at Valley View Assisted Living. I’m truly looking forward to getting to know everyone and making some wonderful memories with everyone but first I would like to introduce myself. My name is Brandi Graham. I’ve lived here in Whitwell my whole life and I love my hometown. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 17 years! His name is Jonathan Graham and we have three wonderful children Macey, Mylee Jo, and Cody. My husband is a pastor at Community Harvest Church God in Coalmont Tennessee. We love our church and our church family! I worked at Weeones’s Christian Daycare here in Whitwell for 10 years. I’ve truly been blessed throughout my life and I’m looking forward to this new chapter.

Kandice White

Dietary Manager

Kandice joined our Valley View team in 2020. She has recently taken over the kitchen manager position with great determination and leadership skills. Kandice has been very attentive on learning the assertiveness and readiness for preparing and severing good meals. She previously worked for other fast-paced restaurants. She has a passion for health and nutrition.

Kandice says her passion behind her comes from her husband and 3 kids. She lives her own healthy lifestyle and expects to have the resident’s dietary needs met also.

Maryann Layne

Office Manager

Maryann started her journey at Valley View in 2016 as a Resident Aide. She came to Valley View ready to start a career to support her family. Maryann started as a PN worker, working just as needed. After a short time, she advanced to a full-time 3rd shift position where she stayed until the opportunity came for the Office Manager. Maryann now works diligently with Darlene to ensure transitions to Valley View area as smoothly as possible.

Maryann is married to Gabe Laybe, and together they have 3 children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, watching her kids play sports, and swimming.