NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – When Treasure West was eight years old, her mother died of a drug overdose. At the same time, her father was in jail.
She and three of her siblings went to live with their cousin, Tonya Wade, whom they call aunt.
Wade and her husband, Coveak, went from a household of five to nine when custody issues were solved.
Tonya Wade told the children, “You have two mothers and two fathers. … We’re not your biological parents, but we are your parents.”
The Wades instilled in the children the obligation to help the needy and be active in school and the community.