My dream: A grandma's work is never done

[Times photo: Kinfay Moroti] A grandmother, in this case Beverly Dye of Tampa, left, can play a supportive role in a young man’s life. Stephon Dye, 3, takes advantage of extra bolstering when he nods off during church service at Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Tampa.

At 50, Beverly Dye is a young grandmother of eight, four of whom live with her and Grandpa Ben in their Tampa home.

That's Stephon with me at church. He's my grandson, and he's 3. His mom is Shontae, my daughter, who's 23. She has four children, including a disability child. They've been living with me and my husband, Ben, this past year.

The disability child is Katrice, who's 5. Then there's Lavette, 4, and a new baby, Ashontae, 3 months. I have a son and three daughters and eight grandchildren, and I've had a hand in raising all of them, but Shontae's kids have been under my custody for about three years.

Katrice has shaken baby syndrome. That happened with the father, and that's why I got custody.

I love all my babies. When the grandchildren come here they go straight to the refrigerator. I'm always ready for them. They like Popsicles, fruit juices, cookies. I know what their deal is: "What you got for me?" Grandpa spoils them more than I do. He preaches when they're bad, but that's all. He just tells them, "Stand in the corner a little bit."

Now Shontae has found her own place, and they're getting ready to move out.

I'll keep taking them to church with me. It's my church, the Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Tampa. I keep preaching to them, telling them what school means, that they've got to do their homework.

There are so many children doing drugs. I want to keep my grandchildren safe. I want them to start off in life the right way, by staying off the streets and by getting their education. I want my grandchildren to be something.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.