The caseworker then told Crawford that the girls were going to be divided into separate homes . The couple immediately decided to move forward with adopting .
“ We adopted and it ’ s been great . Without them , I wouldn ’ t have been able to get through losing my oldest child ,” she said fighting tears .
Mackenzi passed away in December of 2018 after suffering complications with thyroid cancer that transitioned to lung cancer . Doctors later discovered she had developed polyposis , which affects the colon . She is survived by her mother and one daughter , Isabella “ Bella ” Clausen .
“ She ’ s inspired me to do a lot of things that I thought were hard . She ’ s inspired me in that way ,” Crawford said .
Wonderland Childcare Center has been home to several generations of Moultrie and Colquitt County families . Ally Mercer attended the center as a child . Now , she and Brandon Mercer , her husband , have planned for their three children to attend the center . Her oldest son and middle child have already attended the school . Their youngest son is next in line .
“ They are like family here . My oldest son still wants to visit ,” Ally Mercer shared .
The Mercers have not missed any family milestones while their children are at the center . Ally Mercer recalled receiving videos and photos of her children throughout their care here .
Tamara Moore found the center after moving to Moultrie as a reference from a previous coworker . At the time , she wanted her oldest child Jamya to interact with more children as a child . Her two younger children also followed her footsteps .
“ It ’ s my first choice every time . If I had to do it again . I would always choose here ,” Moore said . “ Jamya always talks about Mrs . Crawford ’ s mother and her time at the daycare .”
Laurie Harper has worked in childcare for over 40 years with the last 20 years at the Wonderland Childcare Center . She has cared for several parents while they were infants and now their children their 123s and ABCs .
Angie Saldanha entered the center under Harper ’ s care at five months old . Her son Lukas is now Harper ’ s student and her oldest child Malory has attended as well .
“... I love childcare because it ’ s the simplest things that make a child happy and feel loved , and when your child is safe , happy and loved , parents are happy and lives are made easier .”
— Elisabeth Crawford
Pictured standing from left are Wayne and Beth Crawford ’ s children Chole , Lois , Bella , Petra , Mike , Isabella , Makayli and Selena . Lois holds a photo of Crawford ’ s deceased daughter Mackenzi , who is Bella ’ s mother . One other daughter , Melissa , is missing .
MAY 2023 MoultrieScene 19