How friends on a heartfelt journey of fostering became surrogate ‘Grannies’

DESOTO, Texas — Dorothy Chatmon and Josephine McGee have not always been so close. 

“We found out that we ended up living in the same neighborhoods and didn’t know it,” said McGee.

After almost 30 years of friendship, they’ve become more like family. 

“Our families have bonded. She ministers to my family. I’ve ministered to hers,” said McGee.

They have an extended family that makes their bond even tighter. 

“I started fostering children like about 20 years ago,” said Chatmon.

More than 30 children have walked through Chatmon’s doors. She showed WFAA the children’s rooms and learning areas. 

“Each child is different. They have their own personalities, so when you look at that child, look at the background where they come from,” said Chatmon. “You can’t approach them all the same.”

McGee shared that she became a foster parent, too, having helped more than 20 children.

“I saw how she loved them and shared her family with them, and I needed someone to share with,” said McGee. “It’s more to being a foster care parent to me than just to have them in your home, but to have them with love and respect.”

In providing short-term fostering through Heart to Heart Family Services, they focused on pouring as much love as they could into each child. 

“We would go on play dates together, and we do school together,” said McGee.

“We never used the term foster, never ever,” said Chatmon. 

Instead, they are known as “Granny.” When one leaves the family, it can get hard.

“It even gets me now because they really were like my grandkids,” said McGee.

“I have reunited some families back together with their children,” said Chatmon. “I keep having to tell myself, it’s okay because you’re just making room for the next child to come.”

Knowing that reality makes room for another. 

“Every child that comes in, that may be the only love that they ever had,” said Chatmon.

Love through friendship and family is all they hope to give.