As she first met her great-great-great-grandchild from her nursing home, the 98-year-old matriarch of a Kentucky family was photographed with six generations of women in one room.
On February 24, 98-year-old MaeDell Taylor Hawkins was holding Zhavia Whitaker, a baby of seven months, while she was surrounded by her daughter and grandchildren.
Gracie Snow Howell, the matriarch’s granddaughter, posted the image, which quickly went viral.
When Gracie and MaeDell were cast as co-stars, they said, “We thought it was special because it’s all girls”.
The family in the viral photo includes MaeDell’s daughter Frances Snow, granddaughters Gracie Snow Howell, great-granddaughter Jacqueline Ledford, and great-great-granddaughter Jaisline Wilson. Sheryl Blessing, her grandchild, snapped a photo.
MaeDell lived a long life and will turn 99 in July, as Gracie remembers.
MaeDell married her first husband, a 50-year-old railroad worker with ten children from a previous marriage, when she was 16 years old, according to Fox News.
Gracie Taylor, Bill Taylor’s wife, claims that they were still able to have 13 children despite Bill Taylor’s continuous business travel. Taylor’s ex-wife passed away during the delivery of the twins.
MaeDell and her husband lacked running water and other modern conveniences like a washer and dryer because they were not wealthy.
Gracie told People, “I know she had a tough life, but she never complained.
Gracie added that her mother Frances has never complained about not having enough food or clothing despite MaeDell’s lack of luxuries.
MaeDell left a legacy through her offspring in addition to transferring her well-known tomato preserves recipe.
Fox News reported that when someone once asked Gracie what her favorite memory of her grandmother was, she responded, “Her tomato preserves.”. Without a doubt, they were the best.
MaeDell’s devotion to and sacrifice for her family will benefit subsequent generations.
According to Gracie, if everything goes as planned, Grandma and the baby will both be doing well.
Fox reports that the Kentucky grandmother has 106 grandchildren, 222 great-grandchildren, 234 great-great-grandchildren, and 37 great-great-great-grandchildren spread out across the nation.
