If Mekissa Webb sat down to type up a “mom resume,” the bullet point highlights might mention she’s a single mother with two children; one child is autistic, both are teenagers and she works full-time; she was a full-time student until a breast cancer diagnosis put that on hold.

     Have things been tough? Yeah, things have been tough, even before the cancer diagnosis.

     “There’s been a time I was working three jobs,” Webb said in a recent interview at her home. “Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.”

     Through it all, Webb’s passion for children and motherhood has remained undimmed. There’s her own children she has to raise: Eric, 15, who has autism, and Jessica, 13.

     Sometimes, though, her children have learned to share their mom.

     “Everyone at church calls me their sister because they think of her as a momma,” Jessica said of the other kids at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church, where the family attends.

     Webb never thought of her passion for children as notable. In a Bible study on gifts, Webb told the group she didn’t have any gifts. Her pastor offered a different opinion. Her gift, Webb’s pastor informed her, was working with and caring for children.

     After a little thought, Webb decided she agreed.

     “Everything I do there is centered around the kids,” Webb said.

     She teaches a Sunday school class that averages 10 or more students most Sundays, the ages ranging from 3 to 11. She helps with youth choir and every years ends up as a VBS teacher.

     Webb got to practice those mom skills when she was younger.

     Webb, originally from Union Church, had to pitch in and help care for her younger sister after her parents separated. Tending to her sister suited her strong independent streak.

     “I’ve always wanted to be that shoulder for others to lean on,” Webb said.

     She hasn’t stopped looking for others that need someone to lean on. Inspired by her experiences with Eric, Webb wants to eventually become a special education teacher.

      Webb graduated from high school in Franklin County in 1995 and moved to Brookhaven in 1996 for a marriage. In 2007, she began as a full-time student at Alcorn State University studying special education.

     Then, Webb had a need to be strong for herself and not for others.

     In July of 2008, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The strength she needed was there, waiting for Webb to find it.

     “It wasn’t an option for me to give up,” Webb said. “I wanted to see these kids graduate and grow up. I want to see their kids.”

     Webb underwent surgery in August of 2007 and began chemotherapy treatments in September. To get through that time she was the one that needed some shoulders to lean on and her own mother was always there to provide.

     “Every surgery I’ve ever had, she was going to be there,” Webb said, speaking of her mother, Debra. “Whenever I had to stay overnight, she was going to be there.”

     Her mother and father both helped how they could, alternating taking Webb to Jackson for her treatments.

     Webb admitted she struggled to accept that she couldn’t be independent, not this time. She needed others.

     “It’s hard for me not to be in control,” Webb said.

     There’s one thing Webb could control, though, and that was her attitude.

     “A positive attitude goes a long way,” Webb said. “I joked with the doctor. I find humor in everything.”

     Her doctor noticed, telling Webb she always had a smile on her face.

     Today, it’s easier than ever for Webb to maintain a positive attitude. She’s been cancer free for three years.

     But for all that Webb’s mother did to help Webb through her time of illness, her gifts to Webb began much earlier.

     “She taught me how to work hard,” Webb said. “She taught me nothing is given to you. You have to work for it.”

     Webb’s own daughter seems to be learning from Webb. Jessica wants to attend Alcorn and study nursing so that she can care for others like her mother.

     Jessica describes her mother as strict, but also as “my provider and my angel.”

     Most importantly, Webb said she hopes her daughter learns to keep God first and remembers the value of family.

     “We’ve always been close knit,” Webb said.

     Because despite her independence, Webb knows that’s what matters most. Family.