This 98-year-old matriarch of a large Kentucky family finally got to meet her first great-great-great-grandchild.Zhavia Whitaker, who was seven months old, was first held by MaeDell Taylor Hawkins in February.
Granddaughter Gracie Snow Howell shared a picture of the incident online, and it quickly became popular.
Between the offspring of her own daughters and the offspring of their children, MaeDell currently has more than 620 grandkids.
“We thought this was special because it’s all girls,” Gracie, who appeared alongside MaeDell, remarked.
Frances Snow, Gracie Snow Howell, Jacqueline Ledford, and Jaisline Wilson, all great-granddaughters of MaeDell, are shown in the picture. The image was taken by Hawkins’ granddaughter Sheryl Blessing. In July, MaeDell will turn 99.
At the age of 16, she wed a 50-year-old railroad worker with 10 children from a previous marriage in 1940.
Her husband Bill Taylor frequently traveled for work. According to Gracie, the two still had 13 children together, and they were all without the majority of modern amenities. The household did not have running water or a washer and dryer.
“I know she had it hard, but she didn’t complain,” Gracie told People.
Gracie went on to claim that she had never heard her mother Frances lament the lack of anything in their home. MaeDell’s love and support have undoubtedly contributed to generations of joyful, healthy women and children, as can be seen in this snapshot of six generations of women.
“If everything goes well, the baby’s doing well, Grandma’s doing well – we’re all going to meet back in June and get another picture,” Gracie explains.
The Kentucky matriarch is said to have 37 great-great-great-grandchildren residing outside of Kentucky, along with 106 grandkids, 222 great-grandchildren, and 234 great-great-grandchildren.
With such little resources, we can’t imagine raising so many great kids! Comment below and let us know what you think!
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