20 Apr 2015 Legacy of love

Story and photos
by Callie Sterling

Delbra King, mother of 11, has taught her children to value God, education and family above all. With her guidance they have found success.

“I have always taught my children to first love God,” Delbra said. “I also have taught them to love themselves and respect themselves. You have to love yourself before you can love others.”

Delbra considers motherhood to be the best accomplishment she has ever achieved.

“For me motherhood is the best thing that has ever happened to me,” she said. “My children are my greatest assets. Motherhood is not for cowards though. I like to say when they are little you carry them in your lap and when they are older you carry them in your heart.”

Delbra’s children value education and many have gone on to graduate from college and military academies. Some of their current occupations range from mechanical engineer, registered nurse, teacher, family physician and an entrepreneur. Two of her children are currently enrolled in college as well as two that attend Conway High School.

“All of my girls so far have gone to the University of Central Arkansas, the same place their dad went,” she said. “One of my daughters is a biology teacher and another is a family physician in Tennessee.”

Delbra attended Hendrix College but postponed her education in order to raise her family. She has been married to her husband, Milton, for 35 years. The two met while in college.

“I attended Hendrix when I met my husband while he was attending UCA,” Delbra said. “I took a break from school to raise our children. I did go back to Hendrix though and got my degree in 2010 when I was 52 years old.

“Although I have encouraged my children to get an education and be successful, I didn’t encourage them to do so for money. Although they have made a good living, it’s not about money. It’s not about material things. It is about bettering yourself and the community. If you can help someone, that is what is important.”

Each of Delbra’s children as well as her husband speak in the highest regard when it comes to the selfless mother and wife that she has proven to be.

“My mother is so supportive of all of us,” said biology teacher Kamela King. “She is so encouraging and she never gave up on her dreams. She went back to school after several years and got her degree. Now she is applying for a program to make her dreams officially come true so she can teach full-time.”

It is apparent that Delbra King has shaped her children in various aspects of their lives.

“I am just like my mom and I know it,” said Conway High junior Mykela King. “Just watching her motivates me. She is full of energy. She never makes excuses and has taught us never to make excuses either.”

A consistent characteristic that King’s children described her as having is high energy.

“She has more energy than anyone that I know,” Geneva King said. “I just love her energy; I don’t know where her energy comes from. People that meet my mother always remember her; she never ever meets a stranger.”

Delbra has instilled strength in her children.

“My mother is my strength and you have to have strength before you can have peace,” said UCA junior Chris King.

In addition to being a strong role model for her children, she also influences her four grandchildren.

“My mom is a wonderful grandma to my daughter,” said Kamela. “She has taught me that you have to be a strong disciplinary figure but you don’t have to punish your children for every little thing. Sometimes you just have to let your child act like a 2-year-old because they are 2.”

Although Delbra has had significant struggles in life, including the loss of two sons, her faith remains steadfast and concrete. She lost one son in a tragic automobile accident involving a neighbor. Her second son passed away in 2012 in a motorcycle accident.

“When our neighbor hit and killed my brother while he was riding his bike, my mom really leaned on her faith,” Kamela said. “She invited that neighbor over to our house and made sure he was emotionally alright. She is incredible.”

Delbra’s husband feels that he and his wife are the perfect match for one another.

“She is so loving, caring and compassionate,” Milton said. “We are perfectly compatible. She is a great example for our kids. By seeing her example, our boys know what to look for in a wife and our girls have learned what it takes to be a good wife.”

Delbra hopes to continue to make a difference in the lives of her kids and grandchildren in the years to come. She has already made an incredible impact on those around her. Her children truly are her legacy.