A group of women recently got together to photograph a special family photo with all six generations. Gracie Howell, 58, claims her 98-year-old grandmother has held “hundreds of babies” throughout the years, and a recent photo shows MaeDell (Taylor) Hawkins cradling her great-great-great-granddaughter Zhavia, who was born in December.”We thought it was unique because it was all girls,” says Gracie.

Gracie is shown with her mother, Francis, daughter Jacqueline, and granddaughter Jaisline, as well as the baby’s mother, MaeDell, and Zhavia. Gracie believes her 99-year-old grandmother is still “as sharp as a tack” and isn’t afraid to “tell you how to take care” of a child.”Zhavia got a little fussy” during the visit, so MaeDell, who now resides in a nursing home and sleeps on a bed, “swooped her right out of Mama’s arms.”

“We have a picture of her tickling her little feet,” she says, going on. “Sweet times.” While she admits that her family’s story is “amazing,” Gracie says she had no idea their photo would cause such a stir. She says she was “overwhelmed” by the positive response after privately sending the photo to a local meteorologist and detailing her grandmother’s story. It has also given her granny a “amazing” opportunity for “a little recognition,” she says.

Gracie believes she has never heard her grandmother complain about her grandmother’s life. MaeDell married her first husband when she was 16 and he was 50, a railroad worker who was gone most of the week. They had 13 children together and became stepmothers to his ten. “She lacked modern conveniences such as a washer and dryer, a dishwasher, and running water.” “I remember when I was a teenager, and she still didn’t have running water,” she adds.

Nonetheless, she maintains her mother never went without a proper dinner, supper, or clean clothes to wear.” I know she had it tough, but she didn’t complain,” she said. “She just went about her business.” And the family grew in size over time. “We have a big family,” she says. MaeDell has “outlived her husbands” and all of her stepchildren except one. “She’s had a full life,” says Gracie. “I simply love her.” The songwriter for Dolly Parton has died at the age of 82.