Century Tree Assisted Living is a senior care facility in Littlefield, TX, that provides housing and daily support for elderly residents who are no longer able to fully live independently.
Previously known as Library of Legacies, Century Tree has been owned by Vicki Flenniken since she purchased the assisted living center back in June 2025.
“We kept all the staff. We kept the manager, we kept everything pretty much the same,” said Flenniken, adding that the decision was made to help residents feel comfortable and maintain a sense of stability during the transition.
When picking the new name, Flenniken wanted something that held meaning, settling on the name “Century Tree.” Named after a tree at Texas A&M University, the Century Tree is widely recognized on campus as a symbol of lasting relationships and connection, reflecting the values and goals they hold at Century Tree Assisted Living.
“My husband and I both went to Texas A&M University, and the sentry tree is there on campus, and aggies get engaged under the century tree, and so that’s where the main thing comes from,” said Flenniken.
According to Flenniken, Century Tree aims to make daily life as engaging as possible for residents and has structured routines and activities to keep them engaged, such as bingo, karaoke, and group games. Century Tree also brings in outside services, including a cosmetologist who visits weekly for hair and nail care. These routines are designed to give residents both structure and choice, allowing them to participate in activities while still maintaining independence in their daily lives.
Before purchasing Library of Legacies, now known as Century Tree, Flenniken had spent more than 20 years working in retail management, and at the time, she saw her future continuing in that field for many years to come. That perspective began to change seven years ago, though, after she made the move to Shallow, TX, and moved her husband’s parents in with them.
After that, Flenniken and her family became the primary caregivers for her inlaws for more than six years. During that time, she helped manage daily needs, health care routines, and long-term support in her own home. Flenniken said the experience gave her a different understanding of aging and the level of care seniors often require, especially in terms of patience, time, and dayto- day attention.
“You know, there are a lot of things they can still contribute to; you just have to slow down. And talk to them. Yeah, and so that’s where my passion is from, is taking care of my inlaws,” said Flenniken.
According to Flenniken, it was when her father-in-law passed away a year ago at 91 that she decided to buy the Library of Legacies assisted living center and move her mother-in-law into the facility, where she continues to live and receive care today.
“ I connected with the owner of Library of Legacy’s, I connected with her through a hospice doctor that had taken care of my father-in-law… and so when I connected with her, we came out, we walked it, and I’m like, yeah, this is what I want to purchase,” said Flenniken.
For Flenniken, the transition into assisted living ownership was not a planned career move but rather something that developed over time through experience, shaping the way she now approaches caring for others.