Mother Of The Year

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ A 77-year-old Chesterfield woman is being honored as South Carolina’s Mother of the Year. Miriam McLaurin Gulledge was recognized in Columbia Thursday and accepted her award from Gov. Nikki Haley. She was honored at a luncheon, recognized at the Statehouse and was invited to a tea at the Governor’s Mansion. Gulledge is a mother of seven who has also been taking care of her husband since he was disabled in a 1991 accident. All seven of Gulledge’s children are professionals and still live in South Carolina, with five of them residing in Chesterfield County. Gulledge raised her children while helping run a community grocery store and doing bookkeeping. Gulledge will represent South Carolina in the American Mother of the Year competition.