AK's Column: Mothers, memories and moments: Davidson Locals reflect on Mother's Day
This Mother’s Day, the Davidson Local team is honoring the women whose strength, love, and faith shape our lives. In We’re sharing heartfelt tributes like this one—stories of moms who show up, lift us up, and keep us grounded with grace and grit. From quiet sacrifices to unwavering encouragement, these women are the heartbeat of our homes and our communities.
As brunch reservations fill up and flower sales skyrocket, it’s easy to forget that the origins of Mother’s Day are deeply rooted in activism, service, and sacrifice. Here in Davidson County, many local mothers are living examples of that legacy — not just one day a year, but every day.
Anna Jarvis, who established Mother’s Day as a national holiday in 1914, might not recognize the glittery greeting cards or spa gift packages we now associate with the occasion. In fact, she likely wouldn’t approve. Jarvis spent the latter part of her life fighting the commercialization of the day she created to honor her mother — Ann Reeves Jarvis, a peace activist and community health advocate who served wounded soldiers on both sides of the Civil War.
Ann Jarvis’ legacy lives on in the work of women across Davidson County. From small business owners to nonprofit leaders, from single moms balancing multiple jobs to community organizers planting seeds — quite literally — in the soil of our neighborhoods, local mothers are continuing the work of care and community upliftment.
Take, for example, the mothers behind local school supply drives and youth mentorship. “We’re just doing what needs to be done,” said one mother who asked not to be named, but whose fingerprints are on nearly every community initiative in her neighborhood. “We don’t do it for recognition. We do it because we see what our kids — and other people’s kids — need.”
There’s Danielle Clodfelter, a mother and community leader who is spearheading several initiatives through her new church, Transformation Church. From organizing efforts to provide clothing to those in need to launching a summer garden that will help feed local families, Danielle is putting her faith into action and creating tangible support systems for the community. Or mothers like Tamara Jones, who after working overnight shifts, shows up at school board meetings to advocate for better classroom support. Their work is rarely paid and often invisible — but vital.
For some, the influence of a strong mother is a daily compass. Davidson County native Michael Evans reflected on how his mother, Wilma Evans Fuller, shaped his life:
“What a great lady! The reason I love her so much is for raising me to be tough and mentally strong. She taught me life wasn't going to be fair and that, due to circumstances, I had to be two times better than everybody else. She taught me to think fast with reason and logic, to work two times harder than everybody else. She told and taught me to read—read, read, read—on all subjects. The more I learn, the more I earn. She taught me about cause and effect, the importance of comprehension, the power of body language, survival skills, cooking, cleaning—I can go on and on. The life skills she gave me show on a daily basis. So today in 2025, I am who I am because of her discipline and principles, and I love her so much for that.”
Some tributes come from a place of deep love and grief.
Most people don’t know that I suffered a heart attack on the one year anniversary of my mother’s death. Thanks to doctors and counseling through Hospice, I came to understand that being brokenhearted is more than just a feeling—it’s a real medical condition. Writing columns has been a form of therapy for me, and over the years, I’ve shared numerous stories about Rosalyn. She once told me Mother's Day tributes and lunch was all the gift she needed. I hold her in my heart this Mother’s Day, Mama.
These are modern-day versions of the “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” that Ann Jarvis once organized — women banding together to improve health conditions, care for the sick, and support families through difficult times. The tools may have changed, but the heart of the work has not.
So this Mother’s Day, as we celebrate with cards and calls, let’s also remember the deeper purpose: honoring the women who not only raise children, but also raise communities. And in Davidson County, those mothers are still making it happen.
