Mother & Son

This book consists of the first collection of poems and writings by Jo Ann Sumbry and her son, Gerald Griffin. The authors’ writings are based on their passion for writing and the experiences they have encountered over the years. Jo Ann and Gerald are God spirited and are greatly concerned about others’ well-being. 

Not often do parents and their children grow together and form a relationship that lasts from childhood through adulthood. Jo Ann Sumbry and her son, Gerald, are an exception. Since Gerald was two years old, his mother bonded with him to help him to become the best of the best. They have always been inseparable. When you would see one, you would see the other. Of course, there were occasions when Jo Ann had to stand back and allow Gerald to be coached by his father, but there were only a few such occasions during Gerald’s childhood and adolescent years. For the most part, it was mother and son fighting the battles with God on their side.

Jo Ann and her son, Gerald, began getting really serious about their writings when Gerald was in the 7^th grade. As the years passed by, Jo Ann and Gerald continued to write and put together their best writings. These are included in this book. We hope you will be inspired by their writings to release some of your own inner feelings through words.

Jo Ann Sumbry

Jo Ann Sumbry is a born-again Christian and woman of God. Born in Columbus, Georgia and raised in Phenix City, Alabama, Jo Ann is a licensed preacher and Associate Minister at the Saint Luke A.M.E. Church in Opelika, Alabama. She is a former elementary teacher, assistant principal, principal, system-wide curriculum director, and state special-services administrator. She is presently the field-based experiences coordinator, instructor, and university supervisor at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. In addition, Jo Ann is pursuing her Ed.D. in educational leadership at NOVA Southern University. She is known by many for being warm-spirited, inspiring, and motivating. Her greatest gift from God is her son, Gerald, co-author of this book.

Gerald D. Griffin

Gerald D. Griffin was born on January 1, 1981, in Columbus, Georgia and raised in Phoenix City up to grade five. Like his mother, Gerald has a special God-given spirit about him that touches everyone he meets. Gerald is known by his friends and others as the “perfect” intelligent gentleman. He is blessed with multiple gifts and talents. In 1996, Gerald was selected to be a participant in the United State Collegiate Wind Band, performing in more than eight countries throughout Europe. He graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York on May 25, 2003 with a B.A. degree in biology, specializing in neurobiology. He was nominated as a National Dean’s List Scholar recipient twice consecutively while attending Cornell. Gerald also received many awards and scholarships while attending Cornell. Presently, Gerald is working on his Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Gerald’s greatest gift from God is his mother.