Momma

"Everything I became began with the woman who believed in me before anyone else did."

Her Story:

Florence Ford Martin was born on August 4th, 1923, in the Hurricane Creek community near Gurley, Alabama, to Pearlie Brooks Ford and George Ford. She was the third of eight daughters and step brothers George and Robert.

She attended a one-room pre-school house in Hurricane Creek, Hurricane Elementary School of Gurley, Alabama and Councill High School of Huntsville, Alabama.

Education was simple, faith was central, and hard work was a way of life.

Mother Florence Martin retired from Hill Haven NursingHome as a cook.

Raised by sharecroppers and the granddaughter of formerly enslaved Americans, she learned early that dignity was earned through perseverance rather than possessions.

Growing Up in Hurricane Creek:

one-room schoolhouse
cotton fields
church
sisters
prayer
family

Sisters for Life:

List the sisters beautifully.
1. Martha Jane
2. Mary
3. Florence
4. Ozell
5. Annie Bell
6. Georgia
7. Ernesteen

Stepbrothers:
1. Robert (R.H.)
2. George Jr.

The Values That Shaped Her:

She was an active member of Zion Progress Missionary Baptist Church. She was member of the choir and Mother's Board. She was also a member of Silver Jewel Order ofEastern Star, Chapter #508, O.E.S.

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13

Verses like these became the foundation upon which she saw the death of one child and raised eleven children.

The Mother I Knew:

Momma never preached about hard work. She lived it. She never asked us to become successful. She asked us to become good people. I never drank, smoked, or used drugs—not because someone forced me, but because I couldn't bear the thought of disappointing her.

The Gift She Gave Me:

This may become the most emotional part of your entire website.Tell this story exactly like you told me.When Auburn offered me a football scholarship, my mother and father drove me to school.Daddy drove.Momma sat in the middle.I sat by the passenger door.Years later, after I reached the NFL, Momma told me never to come back home.It took me years to understand what she meant.Today I believe she wasn't pushing me away.She was trying to save me.She knew the environment I had escaped.She wanted me to keep moving toward the life she had prayed for.