Loganville Woman Chosen as Georgia's Mother of the Year

When Katherine Ellington lost her 21-year-old son, Justin, in a car accident in April 2012, she was devastated. But she didn't let it stop her doing what she's always done - reached out to others in the community. In fact, she used this tragic event to reach out even more, helping her daughter,

Ellington has also helped with many other community outreach programs in the area and it was for that reason that one of them, nominated her for 2013 Georgia Mother of the Year.

"Shepherd Staff nominated Kathy because she optimizes the modern mother with traditional values who cares deeply for her family and community," said "Her story is so inspirational that it needed to shared and recognized. Kathy gives tirelessly to her family, church, job and local organizations with the basic desire to help people. She truly has the heart of a servant and we feel blessed to have her as a regular volunteer at Shepherd Staff."

In announcing the Georgia winner, the Georgia Mothers Association of American Mothers, Inc. ®, wrote the following.

Katherine Ellington, of Loganville, Georgia, was nominated by Shepherd Staff Ministries. Most all of her life, she has “mothered” many, many others.  Her heart has always longed to reach out and make a difference for people in crisis, stress or need.  She has 2 children.  Last year, her 21 year old son, Justin, was killed in an automobile accident.  This opened her understanding heart to also helping mothers who have lost a child.  Her daughter Kayleigh, helped start a grief group at the Loganville Community Village. Kathy leads a single mom’s ministry at the Oasis Church, in Loganville, where she is an active partner. She volunteer’s with several non profit organizations in Walton County, and she is on the Board of Walton County Special Olympics. She is indeed a person who gives herself in many ways to reach out and lift the lives of people in her community and in the State of Georgia.

The announcement was made at the Georgia Mothers Association’s annual meeting on Feb. 2, 2013. Each year, states like Georgia with a State Association of American Mothers, Inc., have the opportunity to name a State Mother of the Year, a State Young Mother of the Year and a State Mother of Achievement. These state-honored nominees are then sent to American Mothers, Inc.®, which is the only organization in the USA that may name a National Mother of the Year, a National Young Mother of the Year, and a National Mother of Achievement.

As Georgia's Mother of the Year, Ellington will now travel to the National Convention at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City at the end of April. For receiving this nomination, Ellington receives an all paid trip to the convention where the national title holders will be announced.