In a heartwarming encounter, the remarkable 98-year-old matriarch, MaeDell Taylor Hawkins, had the joyous opportunity to meet her first great-great-great-grandchild within her extensive family in Kentucky.
During the month of February, MaeDell Taylor Hawkins cradled seven-month-old Zhavia Whitaker in her arms, an experience that held immense significance for her. Capturing this precious moment, her granddaughter Gracie Snow Howell shared a photograph that quickly gained widespread attention, becoming a viral sensation. MaeDell, with an astonishing count of over 620 grandchildren encompassing the offspring of her own daughters and their descendants, continues to be a beacon of love and care within her family.
Gracie, who stood beside MaeDell in the photo, expressed the significance of the moment, highlighting the fact that all the individuals present were female. “We thought this was special because it’s all girls,” Gracie shared with People magazine. Joining MaeDell in the photograph were her daughter Frances Snow, granddaughters Gracie Snow Howell and great-granddaughter Jacqueline Ledford, as well as great-great-granddaughter Jaisline Wilson. The photo itself was captured by Sheryl Blessing, MaeDell’s granddaughter.
As MaeDell approaches her 99th birthday in July, her incredible journey becomes even more awe-inspiring. At the age of 16, in 1940, she married Bill Taylor, a 50-year-old railroad worker who already had 10 children from a previous relationship, as reported by Fox News. Despite Bill’s frequent absences due to work, the couple managed to raise an astounding 13 children together, enduring a life without many modern conveniences. Their household lacked basic amenities like a washer, a dryer, and even running water. However, MaeDell’s admirable resilience and positive outlook never wavered, as Gracie recalled. Gracie further emphasized that her mother, Frances, never complained about any scarcity within their family home.
The photograph capturing six generations of women stands as a testament to MaeDell’s unwavering support and love, which has fostered a lineage of happy and healthy women and children. Gracie shared her anticipation of another family gathering in June, expressing hope for everyone’s well-being and the opportunity to capture yet another picture. Fox News reveals the astounding numbers within MaeDell’s family, with 106 grandchildren, 222 great-grandchildren, 234 great-great-grandchildren, and 37 great-great-great-grandchildren spread across the United States.
The incredible feat of raising such an extraordinary number of wonderful children with limited resources leaves us in awe. We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below!
