Woman Of The Year

Woman Of The Year MELISSA CHAVERS

Scott and Melissa Chavers between their dogs Hank and Hank. Chavers said they had one for 13 years then when they got the other he was already named Hank.

Big Mama loves her new title

BY | REGINA BUTLER

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

It never gets old. Although she has been in the kid care business for eight years, she still loves all her 140 something grandkids that call her Big Mama.

You see, Melissa Moss Chavers was content with her life as a nurse in California. Yes. I said California, you know, that state that is as far west as you can go before jumping off into the Pacific Ocean.

Growing up in Pontotoc, her nursing career took her to that big state and she spent quite a number of years there before small voices brought her back to these hills, the small voices of her grandkids, the originals who call her Big Mama.

Her daughter, Dallas, encouraged her to buy this daycare that was for sale so she found herself owning the Learning Tree Academy and in charge of 70 or so children. But that quickly mushroomed into more than 140 over a short period of time because of the love and care she insists on from herself and her staff.

“I don’t think I could have done this as a young person,” Melissa said, “but as a grandmother, this is perfect. Working in the nursing field I saw that people didn’t have a lot of food to eat or someone to take care of them, and I am determined that that won’t be said about the children here.”

Her parents, Harrell and Lovell Moss, had the greatest influence on her life, that still resonates in her character today.

Enjoying time at the lake are from left- Hallie Grace Clark, Jack Clark and Ross Clark. Grand children from left are Jack Thomas Chavers and Cayson Chavers.

Grand daughter Lyza Kate Freeman, daughter Dallas Freeman, grand son Hampton Freeman enjoy a moment with Big Mama Melissa Chavers.

“Mama said ‘Don’t judge people.’ She grew up poor. She said for me to let people’s character come through. ‘Be good to everybody no matter what they say or think,’ was something else she always said.”

Melissa said that her mama was a meek and mild person “and she always thought the things I did was funny.” She smiled broadly.

But Melissa probably wouldn’t have known the joy of cooking if it wasn’t for her grandmother, Dovie Black.

“She let me cook what I wanted and however I wanted. If I wanted to put green food coloring in something she let me. The first thing I learned how to cook was cornbread.”

Today that cooking art is coming in handy with so many mouths to feed, but it has its rewards that go beyond the walls of her day care center.

“I never walk into War-Mart and not hear ‘Big Mama’ from across the store somewhere. It’s like having a whole bunch of grandchildren.”

And perhaps they love her so much because they know she loves them, and is teaching them how to love back. “Common courtesy and kindness is as important as the curriculum. Because they need to know how to be respectful.”

When she is not making sure 140 something children are learning and eating Melisa enjoys spending time watching SEC Football with her husband, Scott Chavers, who is from Washington, D.C.

“He is in the military and plans on retiring in three years. Since the Covid, he has been here working on his computer and helping me out. It has been great. He asked if he can get a job here when he retires.” She laughed out loud.

But how does she get through her days? “I am a fixer,” she admitted. “I think I need to fix everything in life. You do get so busy and sometimes you have to stop and get before God and Be still and know that He is God and trust that he is going to take care of it. I have to look to Him and say this is something I can’t fix and You are in charge.”

Melissa realizes that one day she will no longer walk on this earth, “But when I die I want these kids to say ‘Oh! I loved Big Mama! She was so good to us!’”