Mother’s Day is a day on which we traditionally honor our mothers. But it’s also an opportunity to recognize those who are our surrogate mothers, who love and care reaches outside of traditional family.

Florence Lodge is one of those surrogate mothers to many people in Washington.

She was born in Washington in 1936. Her parents were farmers and had to work hard on their crop and land. She learned from her parents to see the good in people. Her parents would often lend people money or help without question.

As an adult, Lodge had three children of her own, but is a “mother” to many more people. One of her own children has medical needs that she helps to take care of, in addition to continuing her community efforts.

Betty Jo Moore, a resident of Washington, has known Lodge for 10 years and had heard stories of her motherly efforts for many years prior to meeting her.

Outside of taking care of her own children, Lodge mothers many children in Washington no matter their age. She also holds children who are crying in church or in meetings because, as Moore says, she just loves children.

As a lifelong resident of Washington, Lodge wants the city to continue to grow culturally and socially, according to Moore. To that effect, Lodge’s community work includes the Beautification Committee and Human Relations Council.

Moore said Lodge enjoys working with Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS and every year coordinates a commemoration for first responders. As a part of her work with the Human Relations Council, Lodge honors the fallen firefighters in Washington. In Feb. 2013, she was on hand at Fire Station No. 1 to honor North Carolina’s first recorded fallen firefighter, Edward Peed.

Some of Lodge’s missions include changing the name of Fourth Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and renaming Washington High School’s gym the Dave Smith Gymnasium. Both changes were successful. Along with her community endeavors, Lodge is a member of the Mt. Hebron Disciple Church.

She has made such a big impact on the people of Washington, Mayor Mac Hodges has given her her own day.

No matter their age, many people whose lives she has touched continue to refer to Lodge as Mom.