Elwanda Peters can hardly believe her good fortune.
She has a nice home, a husband who dotes on her, children, stepchildren and grandchildren who visit frequently, a special pet and plentiful plants and flowers in bloom.
She has a close church family at New Heights Baptist Church in Summit and is apt to break out in song at any moment. She surrounds herself with pictures to remind her of strong family ties. She’s also eager to share her talents with others, even playing piano for local nursing home residents.
And today she is the Enterprise-Journal’s Mother of the Year.
In her letter of nomination, Peters’ daughter, Wanda Thomas, said her mother is “kind and caring and puts others’ needs before her own. She has always been there for us. The best thing is that she loves unconditionally. She may not agree with you, but she does not ever make you doubt her love for you.”
Elwanda was fortunate to find love the second time around. She met her husband, Garland, through her job — both are retirees of the state department of transportation’s law enforcement division. She was divorced and he was widowed.
“He’s a good Christian man,” Elwanda said of Garland. “We’ve had 18 wonderful years, and he’s not for sale.”
Elwanda was born in Pike County to Fred and Ouida Pine, who, coincidentally, also was named mother of the year by a local radio station some years ago.
Elwanda, who’ll soon be 77, is proud of her family. Son Dwayne is a technology specialist at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Daughter Shelia Thornton is a contract worker in Baghdad, Iraq, along with her husband John. Daughter Susan Froman works at the Stennis Space Center, and Wanda is an account manager at Evergreen Industries in Liberty.
The Peters family closeness extends to in-laws, too.
Dwayne’s wife, Yvonne, said of her mother-in-law, “She’s my soft place to fall. Everybody’s got one. She’s also my spiritual mentor.”
Elwanda said she “wouldn’t take anything” for being a mother, but she acknowledged the hard work necessary to raise a family.
“I thought when I had my first baby it was the grandest thing ever,” she said. Then came three more, adding more love — and work — to her household. But she made sure her unconditional mother’s love was a constant.
When the whole family gathers, the house is full. Elwanda has 13 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Rounding out the family is 10-year-old dachshund, Teenite.
As in most homes, the kitchen is a favorite place for Elwanda and her family to share news and meals.
Wanda and her sisters have a running “battle” for title of The Favorite Daughter — a family joke.
But Elwanda doesn’t play favorites. She loves them all equally.
“They’re mine. Good bad or independent,” she said. “You’ve got to be there for them.”
