Grandparents' Day 2012

Mildred Bobo holds her little Christmas angel and great-grandson, Gage Miller, son of W.G. and Kenzie Miller and grandson of Ronnie and Connie Miller.

We are so blessed to have Lawrence and Jean Brown as pillars of our family. They are the most selfless people I've encountered. Many know "Granny" as the spunky little lady that irons for the public. She's amazing, and loved by many. My granddaddy is the sweet man that sweeps the lot and cleans the bathrooms at Hardees. He has the gift of gab, so working at Hardees gives him a place to exercise that. Their mission in life has always been to be there for family. They truly are my heroes -- the wind beneath the wings of our family. -- Tina Corley

Sunday will be Mike and Patty Coop's last Grandparents' Day in Tennessee after 16 years, as they are moving to North Carolina. Kassidy Honaker will miss her Mawma and Pawpa deeply, but cannot wait to spend part of next summer with them at the beach.

Happy Grandparents' Day to our Pa and Granny, Micky and Cindy Phelps, and our Gammy, Lisa Phelps -- Chance, Abi, Haylie, Sara, Dylan, Blake and Aidan.

Jim and Faye Hester of Shelbyville share smiles with their grandchildren, Haylee, Justin and Heidee of Riverside, Calif.

We love you so much, Grandma and Grandpa Stilwell! Happy Grandparents Day! -- Sara, Julie and Christina

Grandmas always give the best hugs! Here, Margaret McGee hugs her two great-granddaughters, Emma Embry and Kennedy Miller.

My grandmother, Macie Russell is one of the strongest women I know. The oldest of 12, she helped raise her siblings. My "nana" has worked hard for what she has. She makes sure I have what I need and more. No matter what, she makes it happen. I hope she knows I love her to the moon and back, and am grateful for her being in my life! -- Amber Russell

Sandy and Jeff Bailey are the greatest grandparents a child could ask for. I am blessed to have them in my children's lives. -- Kelly Mallett

Happy Grandparents' Day to my Nini, Janie Dale. -- Jacob

Seth Miller made it to the top of the Lincoln Memorial looking back at the Washington Monument with his GrandDoc and Grammy, David and Shirley McGee. Seth loves to go on trips with his grandparents.

From left: Chad and Lisa Hall, Earl (holding great-grandson, Gage) and Ann Lindsay, and Kenzie and W.G. Miller. You two are a great example to us all, and the best grandparents in the world! -- Kenzie Miller

My grandmother, Peggy Smith is the strongest, most selfless woman I have known. She was and is the grandmother you read about in books. She picked me up from school everyday, and would always take me to Burger King for an after-school snack. She and my grandpa lived next door for the first 10 or 12 years of my life. I visited daily and stayed the night a lot. There was always something to do at her house. I speak of her in past tense even though she is still with us. She has dementia and rarely speaks. She is cared for by my mother 24/7, who clearly took the selfless trait from my grandmother. I only hope that I can be half the woman that my grandmother was and is to us. -- Crystal Nowlin

Happy Grandparents' Day to Charles and Charlene Clanton, grandparents of Ryan and Matt Clanton, and Chris Davis.

I was blessed as a child to have such loving grandparents, Willie B. and Lucille Davis. They were the parents of 9, grandparents of 19, great-grandparents of 39, and great-great to 8. My Pawpaw was the greatest man I've known. He taught my family strength, love and how to lead. They don't make 'em like that anymore. I was heartbroken when he passed away in 1994 because I wanted my kids to know him. I miss him every day, but am thankful to know that he watches over us. My nanny is also a great woman. She's the toughest lady I know. She'll turn 92 on Sept. 13, and still has a sharp mind. In her 92 years of life she has endured a lot. But through all of it, she stayed tough and was there for our family. In the last 20 years she has lost her husband, two grandchildren, a great-grandchild (Korley Davis), a daughter-in-law (Jane Davis), and a son (Harvell Davis). Through all of this she was our rock. My heart overflows with pride and my eyes with tears that I got to spend my childhood with her and pawpaw. They both made such an impact on our lives. There is a lot to be learned from the older folks of our families, we just have to listen. In my eyes my Nanny and Pawpaw were the true meaning of grandparents and my family is very blessed. -- Michelle Bayne

We are so thankful for you, Grandma Chick! Happy Grandparents Day! -- Sara, Julie, Christina, Chelby and Megan

Polly Pearce was thrilled to watch her granddaughter, Taylor Overcast swim in a meet with the Sharks this summer. Taylor was just as thrilled for her grandmother to be there. Taylor's aunt, Betty Royer of Knoxville also made it to the meet.

My Nanna and Pappa are special to me because they raised me as their own kid and took care of me. They take me on trips to different places, like Gatlinburg. -- Shari Locke

Happy Grandparents' Day to our Pa-Pa and Granny, Rick and Brenda Overcast -- Chelbie, Chloe, Channah, Charleigh and Channing Gannon, and Zane Reid.

Kandace Brown and her daughters, Kayleigh, Keeley and Kinsley are pictured with their Nanny, Barbara Turner.

Nana and Papaw with three of their great-great-grandkids. -- Adell, Bill and Issiah Love, and Gabby, Nevaeh and Madeline Richards

Wallace and Virginia Jones of Shelbyville are a major influence in the lives of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their grandson, Brad Martin wanted them to attend his graduation from MTSU last month. Despite their health issues, they were able to attend the graduation and celebrate this special day. They're pictured here at the ceremony.

Lilly Brown with her Nana, Vicky Baucom, then her Papa, Jeff Baucom.

Happy Grandparents' Day to Nana and Paw Paw, Tonya and Gene Weber -- Haylie, Abi, Sara, Sydney, Cayden, Logan and Austin.

Happy Grandparents' Day to Josef Alexander Lopez-Jolly's Nina, Billie Shelton and great-grandmother, Roberta Jolly, both of Shelbyville.

Wishing our grandparents, Derrel and Brenda Parsons are Happy Grandparents' Day! You have always been there to support and love us every step of our way. We can't thank you enough, and we're blessed to have such great memories with you. -- Brittany, Mark and Chelsie Leverette