Leaving a lasting legacy is not some abstract concept. It is the result of one’s hard work empowered by love and purpose. My mother, Marcia Alethia Clayton, is the most extraordinary woman I have ever known, and she left a powerful and indelible legacy of unwavering devotion and determination. I dedicate this episode to her, a woman who lived 84 years and dedicated her life to raising eight children on her own. Join me in looking back on the unconditional love she poured into us and how it continues to inspire us to live a purposeful and fulfilling life.
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Honoring The Life And Legacy Of My Mother, Marcia Alethia Clayton
Celebrating The Life Of My Mother
I come to you with a heavy heart but also with immense gratitude as I share a deeply personal and emotional tribute to the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever known, my mother, Marcia Alethia Clayton. Mommy passed away surrounded by family members who loved her dearly on Thursday, January 16th, 2025, at the age of 84.
No doubt, she was the backbone of our family, a single mother who raised eight children, Joyous, Sheree, Marcia, Deborah, Kim, Shirley, Van, and Sheryl. We were stair steps, each of us born between 12 to 16 months apart. Mommy loved each of us equally. She had no favorites. She would tell us all the time, “None of you are my favorites. I love you all equally.” She was determined and resilient and poured her entire being into ensuring that we grew up to be the best versions of ourselves.
In this episode, I want to celebrate my mother’s incredible life. I want to share her remarkable story and honor the legacy of love and strength she left behind. Mommy’s journey is a testament to the power of unconditional love, selflessness, and determination. My mother’s life was not easy, but she faced every challenge with grace and unwavering determination.
Legacy: Life was not easy, but my mother faced every challenge with grace and unwavering determination.
Marcia Alethia Clayton was born on August 26th, 1940, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the oldest of two daughters. My mother loved children so much that she had eight of her own. Mommy was a single mother raising eight children. Think about it. Eight different personalities of feet that would overwhelm most people, but not her.
She made sacrifices every day to make sure we had what we needed. As a single parent, she could not afford all the things each of us wanted, but she made sure we got what we needed. She labored tirelessly over her children, often going without herself so that we had food on the table, clothes on our backs, and love in our hearts. There were days when there was no food set on the table, but we knew we were loved. Mommy’s love for us was so profound that it shaped everything she did. She wanted nothing more than to raise her eight children to be law-abiding, respectful, and kind individuals, and she succeeded phenomenally.
Legacy: Mommy’s love for us was so profound that it shaped everything she did.
Mommy was not only our mother. She was also our father. Remember, I said she was a single parent. She was our teacher, our guide, and our protector. I remember when Mommy was pregnant with my youngest sister, Sheryl, who was her eighth child. The burden of caring for the other seven of us became overwhelming for her, with no one to help. She had to make one of the hardest decisions of her life, placing six of us in foster care temporarily until she gave birth and got back on her feet. It wasn’t a decision she made lightly by no stretch of the imagination.
Once Mommy got back on her feet, she came back for each one of us. She was determined to bring all her children home, and she did. That’s the kind of woman she was, selfless, brave, and filled with love. It was because of her strength, her determination, and her sacrifices that we all grew up under the same roof, bound together by her unwavering love. Mommy’s legacy is one of resilience and the kind of love that moves mountains.
Legacy: My mother’s legacy is one of resilience and the kind of love that moves mountains.
Facing My Mother’s Final Moments With Love
The last year of my mother’s life was incredibly challenging, but it was also a time filled with love, compassion, care, and connection. In April 2024, my mother suffered her first stroke and it changed everything. The bounce-back muscle she had whenever she was hospitalized was gone. Mommy spent the last eight months on a ventilator with a trach. She was moved between 3 different skilled nursing facilities and a repeat visit at 1 of the facilities.
No doubt, without hesitation, I traveled back and forth from Virginia to Philadelphia every chance I got so that I could be close to my mother. Those visits were difficult at times but very precious to me. I did not like seeing my mother in a hospital bed, unable to speak to me. She was unable to say my name. I knew I would never hear her say or tell me, “I love you.” I knew I was not going to hear that, so I made the best of my time with my mother.
Even when she was asleep, my time with her was so precious. I combed her hair, washed her face, and rubbed lotion on her arms and legs. When I needed to, I cried on her bosom. I wanted my mother to come home so badly. Though she couldn’t speak because of the trach, we found ways to communicate. I would ask her to squeeze my hand. For a while, that worked, but as her condition worsened and her arms swelled from the IVs, even the small gesture became impossible. Despite everything, she remained a pillar of strength. Even when her body grew weaker, her spirit was unbreakable.
Legacy: I made the best of my time with my mother. Even when she slept, that time with her felt so precious.
On December 30th, 2024, she suffered a second stroke and I knew the end was near. As a family, we had to make the heartbreaking, gut-wrenching decision to remove Mommy from the ventilator. This decision was not only heavy, but it was the hardest decision of my life. I knew it was what Mommy would have wanted. She was ready to rest, and she deserved to rest.
As I reflect on my mother’s life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the woman she was and the life she gave us, the life she gave me. I am so grateful. There are only seven of her children left. We lost one of our sisters, Marcia Alethia Anderson, On October 1st, 2023. She was named after my mother. We said goodbye to Mommy on January 16th, 2025. It feels surreal, like a piece of our foundation is gone, but I know that Mommy and Marcia are together, watching over us.
A Heartfelt Tribute To My Beloved Mother
Mommy, you poured 61 years of wisdom into me. You shaped me into the woman that I am now. You taught me how to be strong, compassionate, and unapologetically me. I miss you dearly and deeply. I am so grateful for the time we had together and for the little moments like kissing you on your cheek and combing your hair, helping me with my homework and combing my hair, holding your hand, and sitting by your bedside while you slept.
The lessons you learn from your mother throughout your life are a gift. Cherish them forever.
The lessons you taught me throughout my life and every memory with you is a gift I will keep close and cherish forever. I promise to continue making you proud and to keep your memory alive in my heart. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and for being the incredible woman you were. My life will never be the same without you, but I look forward to the day when we will meet again.
Mommy, this episode is especially for you. Thank you for being my mother, my rock, my role model, an example of a phenomenal woman, and being a phenomenal mother and father. Thank you, Mommy, for your sacrifices, your love, your kisses, and your strength. You were the heartbeat of our family. Your legacy lives on in each of your children, Joyous, Sheree, Deborah, Kim, Shirley, Van, and Sheryl. We are who we are because of you. I’m so grateful for having you in my life. God knew what he was doing when He gave me to you.
Legacy: My mother was the heartbeat of our family, and her legacy lives on in each of her children.
Honoring Loved Ones Through Grief And Gratitude
I am so grateful to my audience. If you experience the loss of a loved one, know that grief is a testament to the love you shared. Honor their memory by carrying their love and lessons learned with you each and every day wherever you go. My mother’s love molded me. It shaped me to be me, unapologetically. Her strength continues to guide me every single day. I will always love my Mama.
Mommy, rest in peace because I will always love you. I miss you, and I’ll carry you with me until the end of my days. Thank you for being my mother. Thank you, readers, for tuning in to this special tribute to my mother. You are you, unapologetically. Until next time, take care of yourself and love your loved ones. Tell them that you love them. That’s it for now. Ciao.