Happy Mother's Day!

“Treat others as you would want to be treated” is something Gina Meade’s mother always reminded her. She described her mother as “loving and selfless” and said her fondest memory was the girl trips they would take together!

“I have the world’s greatest mom and it’s easy to compliment her.” Akers shared. He said that a lesson he grew up learning and still continues to learn from her is “Christ-like sacrificial service to others” Speake shared. “She always prioritizes me and my children above herself and does it with a loving heart.

Kara Bastin’s mother is also her best friend. “My momma Kris Morris, now known as Grammy, is such an amazing mother and grandmother. She was my first best friend, then my first boss at the music store she runs,” Bastin shared. “As my first manager, she taught me how to work hard and take care of people first.”

Bastin’s favorite memory was going to a Lisa Loeb concert with her mother. “My mom, as the proud mother she was, told Lisa that she was very talented, but that I sang her song better than her,” Bastin said. “At the time, I was so embarrassed, but now being a proud mother myself, I appreciate the belief and pride she had in me! I have sure been blessed with one rockstar of a momma!”

Lanie Gardner’s mother raised five girls, and she shared that her “mom was like a palatial tree – she branched out everywhere, had a solid trunk (base), stood tall and proud, and her flowers (love) were and continue to be priceless. Wherever Mom is, that is where home is.”

Bryan Fuller’s mother is a consistent example of what selfless service is supposed to look like. “She always puts other’s needs before her own and does it with an amazing attitude!” he said. “This is a trait that I strive to emulate, and I owe her so much.”

“Stay true to who you are and what you believe in” was a memorable lesson from Michelle Wyatt’s mother. “My favorite memories of my mom are the many many belly laughs we’ve shared anytime we do things together,” Wyatt shared. She described her mom as “beautiful, strong and fun!”

Susan Wells described her mother as “selfless and caring” and fondly remembers “her endless support for her children and grandchildren.”

Her mother taught her to “be kind and do what’s right,” and she was able to live that out by caring for her mother. “In the last few years of her life, I had the honor of staying at her home along with my brothers as we took turns caring for her,” Wells said. “We laughed and talked, and she was in her own world, but it was a time I’ll always cherish.”

“My mom taught me to work hard, be respectful of others and give from the heart,” said Heather McWhorter. “She taught me to never look down on others no matter what situation they are faced with because we never know what someone is going through.”

One of McWhorter’s best memories was playing with Barbie dolls with her mother. “She had such a big imagination. She would build me dollhouses out of bookcases and use objects around the house to make play dishes and Barbie clothes.”

Alyssa Ryan’s fondest memory with her mother was simply growing up with her. “It was just her and I for such a long time, and we didn’t have much of anything, but we had each other!” Ryan said. It is fitting that the two words she used to describe her mother are ‘Best Friend.’ Her favorite lesson from her mother was “to be a generous friend. To always be there for others.”

Laura Ann’s favorite lessons from her mom included her strong work ethic and a love of sewing and cooking. Brandon shared a memory of the first Christmas after joining the First Southern team. She purchased two Christmas coloring books and spent quality time together coloring the books, playing Christmas music, and decorating the whole house for Christmas.

“Today I decorate my whole house at Christmas and smile because it brings back happy memories of that day, and I know Mom would be proud,” said Laura Ann.

Rex Speake’s mother was “humble and loving,” and he learned countless lessons from her. “She was a school teacher for 52 years right up until the day of her death, and she taught more by example than in words,” Speake shared. “She gave me the example of a strong work ethic; perseverance through difficulty and tragedy; showing dignity in the face of loss and adversity; humility and a desire to put others needs ahead of self; respect for others regardless of their station in life; and most importantly, faithfulness and trust in God’s grace and mercy.”

Speak said that his favorite memories with his mother “were the times she was able to go on vacation with us (often to Disney with me, my wife, and our two daughters) and to attend my girl’s softball games.”

Two words Mary Nita Thompson uses to describe her mom are “love and comfort,” and these characteristics are part of her fondest memory. “My favorite memories of Mom are about her always providing a hot meal and a clean home,” she shared.

Ryan Lanigan’s mother encouraged him to think for himself. “She was always encouraging me to ask how or why things are the way they are and to seek to make them better,” he said.

He attributes his career choice to the early times he spent with his mom. “My fondest memory of my mom is the time she spent reading to me as a child. I remember beautiful picture books with amazing art. It probably has a lot to do with why I became an artist and a designer initially.”