Betty Jean Ulmer McGregor Mrs. Betty Jean Ulmer McGregor of Hopkins was honored Tuesday, March 10, as S. C. Mother of the Year 2009. She was recognized by Gov. Mark Sanford in a ceremony at the Governor's Office in the State House.

Afterwards, family and friends were invited to a tea in her honor at the Governor's Mansion hosted by Mrs. Sanford and the S.C. Mother of the Year Committee. Mrs. McGregor also joined past S.C. Mothers of the Year at an 11:30 a.m. luncheon at the Palmetto Club.

Mrs. McGregor was selected as the S. C. Mother of the Year from nominees sought across the state. She is competing for American Mother of the Year at the American Mothers Inc. National Convention in Portland, Ore., April 22- 26. She was nominated by S.C. Family and Community Leaders.

Her philosophy of parenting is based on her own experiences and Christian principles, teaching children responsibility, compassion, kindness, and respect of the faith and culture of others by example. She says, "Children should feel good about themselves.Families should share life events, enjoying and supporting each other."

The 78- year- old mother of five and grandmother of nine has been married 58 years to Sam McGregor, a retired dairy and general farmer. The family was named a S. C. Master Farm Family by Progressive Farmer.

Their children are the Rev. Elizabeth Simmons, Presbyterian minister of Davidson, N.C.; Jean Trice, surgical nurse of Donaldsonville, Ga.; James McGregor, project engineer of Houston, Tex.; Dr. John McGregor, chair of Clemson University's Dept. of Food Science and Human Nutrition of Six Mile, S.C.; and the Rev. Sam McGregor Jr., York County Presbyterian pastor of Rock Hill, SC. Their combined years of education total 94.

Betty McGregor was born in Cameron and graduated from Columbia (S.C.) College, where she has served as president of the Alumnae Association. Her love of family, church and community has led her into volunteer leadership in many diverse organizations, such as in her children's schools and Scouts, the Presbyterian Church, Clemson University State Extension Service and other farming organizations, Garden Club of S. C., and the Columbia Council for Internationals.