About.

Established in 2009

Lorry, DeAnna & Ken Branum started our first Alzheimer's Support Group meeting in January of 2009.  We started out with one member in a small classroom in the Ministry Center of FBC Canyon.  Before COVID, we were averaging around 24 support group members.​

Our Mission

The mission of Canyon Dementia Support is to offer a lending hand to those with a dementia diagnosis and those providing care for them.​

Our Team

Lorry Parker
The Cottages

Lorry lost her Dad to severe dementia and has a special place in her heart for those who are memory impaired. Lorry's background is in assisted living management.  She was the Executive Director of The Cottages, certified memory care unit, for seven years and is now back at The Cottages serving as the Executive Director.  She is a certified dementia practitioner and has spoken about memory loss and caring for a loved one with memory loss at several local conferences.  Lorry understands the journey of both those affected with cognitive impairment and those caring for a loved one with cognitive impairment.  She has been involved with the Canyon Support Group since its inception about twelve years ago.​

DeAnna Sheets, MA, LPC-S
First Baptist Church Canyon

DeAnna Sheets, M.A., LPC-S is a Canyon native and is employed at First Baptist Church in Canyon as the Director of Counseling Ministries.  She counsels from a Biblical perspective and desires to walk alongside others through their struggles.  She serves as a chaplain with the Texas Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief, a spiritual care provider and trainer for the Crisis Resiliency Team, and she is an Affair Recovery Specialist  In addition to individual, marriage, and family counseling, DeAnna leads groups in dementia support, grief support, and recovery.​ She has been involved with the Canyon Support Group since it began in January of 2009.

Marla Gales
True Blessings

Marla grew up in Nazareth and was the baby of 10 children.  She went on to WTAMU in which she was able to attain her Bachelor in Science degree in Social Work.  After working for Child Protective Services, she was fortunate enough to start a part time job to be able to stay at home to start her family with her husband Shawn Gales.  They have two wonderful sons Brady 23 and Ross 20.   In 2010, her Dad began speaking to her about helping seniors remain in their own home by starting a service with caregivers that provide basic services such as bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, transportation, etc.  January 2011 this dream and vision became a reality when she opened the doors of True Blessings.  This state licensed Personal Assistance Service is still today providing service in the honor of Marla’s Dad, Ed Ramaekers.  In this line of business, we have been blessed to assist many families caring for a senior living with dementia.  Dementia has become one of Marla’s passions, so she became a Certified Trainer for Teepa Snow and her program “Positive Approach to Care”.  Marla has learned a lot through this program and has found it to be very beneficial when working with a senior living with Dementia.  Marla  has made assisting seniors her ministry and loves assisting caregivers through all different walks of life.​

We're Here for You 

The Canyon Dementia Support Team includes many other professionals in our area.  These wonderful professionals from care facilities, home health agencies, Texas Tech, WTAMU and area hospices are often at our support group meetings.  Frequently, we have former caregivers come and offer their support, as well.  Even after their loved one has passed, they come and provide encouragement and wisdom.