Around East Cobb
From even before birth, our mothers protect us and care for us, loving us when we don’t deserve it. Life after birth isn’t much different, as our mothers cheer us on through the hard times and support us through the difficult days. And they are the first ones to celebrate when something good comes our way. One special day out of the year, the nation takes a moment to say, "Thanks, mom!" At Around Town East Cobb magazine, we would like to honor all the mothers who invested time, love, and effort into their children by taking a moment to spotlight one of the great mothers in the world. June Stroup is a beloved mother and grandmother to her family. June’s youngest daughter, Carolyn, nominated her mother for Around Town East Cobb Mother of the Year because of the close relationship they have shared throughout the years. "We’ve always been a very close-knit family," Carolyn shared. "We’re a very simple, loving family, but many people have told us how much they envy our family because of our closeness." The whole family continues to spend quality time together, even as adults, as they frequently gather on weekends for meals together. A resident of Woodstock, Carolyn hopes to move back to East Cobb, the community in which she was raised and where her parents have lived for the past 50 years. While June raised her children, she also impacted other children in the East Cobb community as a bus driver for the Cobb County school system. Now retired, June drove the bus for 20 years, encouraging and advising the students in her care while transporting them to and from school. "It was a very rewarding job for me," remarked June. "So many students on my bus had problems that I helped them through over the years. Some of my students still come by to visit to me, even after all these years. It’s rewarding to know that I was able to help them." "My mother always taught us to hold up our heads and be proud of who you are," Carolyn noted. "At the end of the day, it just matters what’s in your heart and how you’ve been raised." Despite the challenges she has faced, June has invested in her children, her students, and in the future, providing hope and support for a new generation as they learn to grow in themselves and in life. While June Stroup may not be known the world over, she has impacted the world through her children. June’s legacy will live on as her children teach their children the same values they learned from their mother. On behalf of the Around Town East Cobb staff and community, we would like to thank June and other mothers like her for their dedication and love to their children and the future. Thank you, June, and congratulations! My mother has told me every day of my life that I am her sweet girl and she loves me. She never completes a conversation without "God bless you. You’re in my prayers and I love you." I’ve never been ashamed to say, "That’s my mom." She has walked a hard-trodden path in life of working hard for everything she has ever had. She has been a mother of 52 years, a wife of 57 years, a prayer warrior for her family, and a natural, honest Southern jewel. The most important lesson my mother has taught me is to love my fellow man, always walk a narrow path, have a conscience that you can live with, and your family is the most important part of your life.