77-year-old woman named SC Mother of the Year 2012 | Community Spirit

A Chesterfield mother of seven children has been selected as the SC Mother of the Year 2012.  Miriam McLaurin Gulledge, who will be 77 on Thur., Jan. 26, will be feted by her family on Sunday in a double celebration as they gather to honor her also as a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and wife.

Sponsored by Chesterfield Baptist Church, Mrs. Gulledge was selected from among nominees solicited statewide through media notices by the S. C. Mother of the Year Search Committee.  Each year since 1942 this standing committee of the S. C. Association of American Mothers Inc. names an outstanding woman to represent mothers in S. C. and compete for the national title of American Mother of the Year.  There have been four national winners from S. C.

“To honor Mrs. Gulledge and celebrate the 70th anniversary of the S. C. Mother of the Year award a special day is planned this spring in Columbia,” says Mrs. Larry Flynn of Spartanburg, Search Committee chair.  It will include a luncheon with past S. C. Mothers of the Year, followed by a recognition ceremony at the Statehouse by Gov. Nikki Haley and a tea at the Governor’s Mansion hosted by Gov. Haley and the Search Committee.  

Mrs. Gulledge continually serves her church and community as she has cared for husband Robert who is disabled since an on-the-job accident in 1991, an aged now deceased mother, and several children and others during their illnesses and disability.  

Becoming a teenage bride and mother, she later earned her high school diploma in 1969 at a night school program.  She has managed a home, co-owned a community grocery store, was a bookkeeper, and still continues as a church and funeral home musician while nurturing her family.

As adults her three sons have become a mechanical engineer with Progress Energy Carolinas, an operating technician with Domtar Inc., and a network engineer with Sandhill Telephone Cooperative and served their community as well.

Her four daughters have become an office manager and medical assistant, president of the Assoc. for Hospital Medical Education with a doctoral degree, a pediatric physical therapist, and Commissioner for the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Dept.  Civic and church volunteering is important to them, as well.

She says, “I tried to instill in my children integrity, manners, respect for themselves and others, responsibility, and dependability.  I am so blessed---they have shown those virtues throughout their lives and we share a great love for each other.  My goal was to give my children wings---maybe I did SOMETHING right!”