Woman, 98, with 230 great-great-grandchildren meets great-great-great-grandchild for first time
A 98-year-old woman with over 230 great-great-grandchildren was pictured holding her great-great-great-grandchild for first time.
The heartwarming photo shows six generations under one roof, with Cordelia Mae Hawkins, better known as MaeDell, sitting firmly at the top end of the age scale.
At the other end is seven-week-old Zhavia Whitaker, MaeDell's first biological great-great-great-granddaughter, who sits comfortable in the arms of her relative.
The Kentucky family hit the headlines this week after the snapshot went viral, with MaeDell's granddaughter Gracie Howell speaking to People about their incredible brood.
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Making Cheaper By The Dozen’s Baker family look small, the 58-year-old explained that the next baby born from descendants of the 98-year-old will be number 622.
How did they get to this point? Well, it all started in 1940 when a then-16-year-old MaeDell married her first husband, who was 50 years old at the time.
As well as having 13 children of their own, she became the stepmother to his 10 kids from a previous relationship.
Their massive brood grew up and had children, and then their children's children did the same, and so on.
The photo was shared on Facebook by Gracie, who wrote: "SIX (living) Generations. MaeDell, Frances, Gracie, Jacqueline, Jaisline, and Zhavia."
Elaborating on the snapshot, she told the outlet: "We thought this was special because it's all girls."
Though Hawkins, who currently resides in a nursing home, is going to turn 99 in July, Howell said she's still 'smart as a tack' – and she certainly knows a thing or two about raising children.
Gracie explained that at one point 'Zhavia got a little fussy', but MaeDell stepped in and 'swooped her right out of mama's arms'.
"We have a picture of her actually tickling her little feet," she said. "Sweet moments."
The 58-year-old said that while her grandma didn't have much while raising her kids, she always made sure they were well looked after with clean clothes and hot meals.
"She had no modern conveniences, no washer dryer, no dishwasher, no running water," she said.
"I mean, I can remember I was a teenager and she still didn't have running water.
"I know she had it hard, but she didn't complain. She just went about her day."
With MaeDell approaching a century on this planet, she's outlived all of her husbands as well as many of her stepchildren.
But her lineage continues to grow, with Gracie adding: "She's had a full life. I just love her."
Dozens of people have commented on the incredible photo, with one writing: "What a wonderful, precious photo for your family!"
"Such a moment in time and memories to last forever," said another, while a third added: "Great, very rare to see six generations."
Daisy Phillipson