Amanda Fleming

From the very beginning, I have been favored in my life. My Pearlie ("Mama Pearlie") sheltered me from everyone. I only had to say I'm going to tell "My Pearlie" and everyone had to step back. When I was born in 1944 in a little country house in Selma, Arkansas, "My Pearlie" was there to deliver me -- she was my doctor. She taught me how to work hard, how to cook and sew, and, at four years old, I could French-braid hair.

My mother, Genora, was a hard worker, also. We stayed with my mom on the weekends. We spent time with her in Warren, Arkansas. My mom and her sister, Aunt Hattie Mae, were both gospel singers. I was six years old when my mom passed away, and "My Pearlie" was the love cushion who helped me through the transition. When I was separated from "My Pearlie" at age eight, it broke her heart, and she became very sick. Papa became too sick to provide for us, so my brother Joe, sister Hazel and I had to leave Arkansas. We were taken to Portland, Oregon to live with my dad, J.P. Trotter, and his new wife, Margaret. Not only did my life change, but I received a new name. I was no longer called Mandy, the birth name that came from my grandma. My new name was Amanda. I had a new family including a new brother named Lamar. My older brother, Arthur, had gone to Kansas City to live with my Aunt Hattie when my mother passed away.

Life in Portland was very different. I became my dad's favorite. He would always save something from his lunch pail for me. My schoolteachers also favored me, helping me to read and write. They taught me to make dresses, which I modeled, and they entered the pictures that I painted in exhibitions and in our 1962 graduation yearbook at Jefferson High School. After graduating, I attended PSU for one year on a scholarship from Vancouver and First Baptist Church. During my teen years, Mother Elizabeth Warren took me under her wings and helped raise me. As soon as her car started up, I was there with her ready to go to church. To this day, when I preach, she supports me -- all I have to do is call.

At the age of 28, in 1972, I was filled with the Holy Ghost. That is when I really began to live. The spirit led me into all righteousness. God became my song, and this is the song I wrote: "I Have No Lack." God became my writer too. The books He inspired me to write are "Suffering with Dignity" and "Death Is In the Port." God instilled in me a love for vegetables and fruits, grains and nuts. I stay healthy without even trying. In 1974, I took a course in nutrition at Oregon State University through their extension program. I taught students in the school to eat healthful foods.

But my greatest contribution to the community is my ten children. I have a child who is a pastor. One is a supervisor for 911 in Florida. I have a business honors student, a medical assistant, a truck driver, a nurse's assistant, a secretary, a senior class historian, an administrator, and musicians (they began playing in the "Hallelujah Band" as children). My children have memorized a new chapter from the Bible every month. They have received several scholarships from their high school and they have been a blessing to me -- I have 24 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren -- and this is just 2005.

In 1986, my husband and I started an outreach ministry to the senior citizens in our community. We have now been active for 22 years encouraging and helping seniors at Marquis Nursing Home (formerly Dale's).

I give thanks to my mentors, and "My Pearlie," who made me know that I was special from the time I was born and taught me to sew. Margaret Trotter taught me to cook, and clean the house. Mother Warren showed me the value of a family. Mother Grace Osborne taught me to pray and how to have devotion in my family. Mother Doris Scott taught me to respect my husband.

Even though God saw fit to take my mom home to Him when I was 6 years old, He has put other people in my life to help me. God has taken care of me. God has done a great job taking care of me. I have no lack. In conclusion, I would not change a thing in my life and I give thanks to God.

Honored by Women's Federation for World Peace. Written by Amanda Fleming