Co-Founders of Mamie’s Poppy Plates
Hi there, I’m Sarah (on the right) and like so many of you, I am a grieving mom. In 2009, I lost my little girl Mamie only a couple of weeks before her due date. She was my first child born a sleeping angel (stillborn) two weeks before her due date. We had a beautiful name, a beautiful nursery and beautiful plans for our precious daughter. Sadly, at 37 1/2 weeks doctors were unable to find a heartbeat and I had to deliver our daughter stillborn but never the less perfect in every way. Until that moment, I didn’t know anyone who had lost a baby and never imagined the heartbreak of returning home to an empty nursery. Thankfully, with the help of friends, family and my faith I got through that first year and began looking for a way to honor Mamie and help other grieving families. My sister Britney and I began Mamie’s Poppy Plates in 2010, and it all started with one plate in one hospital in Little Rock. Here we are more than a decade later, and over the last ten years, thousands of families have received keepsake plates thanks to the generosity of so many. Sadly, my devastating experience is far from uncommon – each year 1 in 160 babies delivered are stillborn, and 19,000 newborns die within 28 days after they are born. What we have learned is that all of us cherish the hand and footprints of our children, whether they are in Heaven or on Earth. So, I wanted to find a beautiful way to preserve such a precious reminder of our babies. In 2010 when I shared the idea of Mamie’s Poppy Plates, Britney was all in. She has been so instrumental to the success we have had in serving our community. She handles sponsorships specifically and all of the details that go into the day to day business aspect of things. Britney and I are still dreaming about the future of Mamie’s and have so much confidence around our vision to expand and continue to love and serve parents all over the globe who have lost a baby. Mamie’s currently partners with more than 80 hospitals, gifted more than 1400 plates last year alone and our fundraising now exceeds over $100,000 annually. We have been blessed in so many ways as an organization and thankful to be able to provide hope, comfort and healing for parents. Our goal is to eventually serve families in all 50 states. Thank you for your continued support of the Mamie’s mission!
Our beautiful Mamie.
She was my first child born a sleeping angel (stillborn) two weeks before her due date, and she is the one who inspired me to start Mamie’s Poppy Plates and allow her legacy to be one of healing and comfort for others grieving the lose of a precious baby. -Sarah
We care about every family who experiences grief from stillbirth or the loss of a child.
We believe that partnering with others is the best way to connect with families and offer support.
We preserve memories, honor families and celebrate life to offer hope and peace in a time of darkness.
We bring people together because grief can be isolating, and connections are healing.
Our mission at Mamie’s Poppy Plates is to bring comfort and care to families all over The United States who have suffered the loss of an infant. We want contribute toward preserving the precious reminders of these beautiful lives through our plates and help parents and family find healing in their grief. All of us who have endured this tragic loss know the value and significance in our babies hand and footprints, whether they are in Heaven or on Earth, and our plates are the perfect keepsake for parents who sadly are unable to take their babies home from the hospital.
Sarah Bussey Varner & Britney Spees
Co- Founders
Sarah is Mamie’s mom. She also has a son and daughter here on this earth. Sarah is a photographer and has always had a big-picture vision for the future of Mamie’s. When her idea of Mamie’s Poppy Plates bloomed she looked ahead with much excitement and has moved forward with her big ideas ever since. She and Britney dream about the future of Mamie’s together.
Britney is a wife and mom of 2 boys. Britney is also Mamie’s aunt. In 2010 when Sarah shared her idea of giving back Britney was all in and has been ever since. She handles sponsorships and details. She and Sarah dream about the future of Mamie’s together.
Rebecca Scaife
Executive Director
Rebecca Scaife is a wife and mom to two teenagers. She became Mamie’s first Executive Director in November 2021. Her heart for the mission, creativity, leadership skills and non-profit experience made her the perfect fit for this position. Planning events, building community and working through the little details are what she truly enjoys. She believes in Mamie’s mission to provide keepsake plates and connection to families who experience stillbirth and child loss and is working to spread our reach to more families across the US.
Jancey Hutcherson
PR & Social Media
Jancey Hutcherson handles PR/Marketing for Mamie’s. Jancey featured Mamie’s several times while working as a local news anchor and served as the emcee for our very first Race to Remember. She first met Sarah in 2008 when Sarah photographed her newborn twins. Jancey and her husband live in Little Rock with their three daughters. She loves the opportunity to give back to other parents through this organization.
Hannah Forbush
Art Director
Hannah is a wife and mom of 2. She is a piano and voice teacher, yoga instructor and circus performer. She has worked pottery and canvas painting jobs for 11 years. Hannah started painting plates for Mamie’s when she worked at Firefly Pottery Studio in 2011 and has been with us ever since. She has been passionate about the Mamie’s mission for a long time and was excited to step into the role of Art Director in the summer of 2021.
Kris Halpin
Office Manager/Hospital Coordinator
Kris is a wife and mom of 3 boys. Kris started volunteering with Mamie’s in 2014. Her heart for the mission, her attention to detail and the time she invested made her stand out. Soon thereafter, she was invited to be a part of the team of staff. She now handles day to day organization at the office and coordinates with the bereavement nurses at our partner hospitals all over the country.
Lorianne Rye
Accountant
Lorianne Rye was first connected to Mamie’s after the unexpected and devastating loss of her baby boy, Colson. After receiving a plate of her own, she and her husband, Mark, became hospital sponsors as a way to honor Colson’s life and to support other grieving families. Lorianne then became a monthly volunteer, placing babies’ prints on the plates. Having such a personal connection to Mamie’s made the decision to join our team an easy one for her. She feels honored to assist us in furthering our mission of connecting, comforting, and providing memories for families who experience stillbirth and infant loss. God has given Lorianne and Mark 2 other children, 1 being a rainbow baby.
Jodi Martin
Administrative Assistant
Jodi is a wife and mother to a teenage son. Jodi was a first grade public school teacher for 30 years before retiring in 2021. Jodi works as an administrative assistant in the Mamie’s office and helps out wherever she is needed. Her classroom experience gave her a heart for service, children and giving back whenever possible.
Katie Short
Artist
Katie was born and raised in Little Rock. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Central Arkansas, graduating with a BFA and an emphasis on painting. Katie spent several years teaching in LRSD and now teaches art at Pulaski Academy. Katie and her husband, Holt, have two amazing kids and two dogs.
Jona Crow
Artist
Jona is one of our artists who volunteers her time and creative talents by painting plates for Mamie’s. Jona has a miracle grandson who was born at 29 weeks - spent 40 days in the NICU and is now a thriving toddler. Jona wanted to find a way to give back in his honor. Jona also works as an RN in the renal department at Arkansas Children’s.
Jennifer Park
Artist
Jennifer is married to her high school sweetheart. They have a daughter who is 16. Jennifer is a Gifted and Talented Specialist at Wilbur Mills Education Cooperative. She left the GT & Kindergarten art classroom last year. Jennifer has been painting and lettering since she was a teenager.
After hearing about Mamie's, Jennifer was immediately interested in sharing her talent! “It is truly an honor for me to create such a precious keepsake during such a tough time. Every plate becomes the most meaningful piece I have painted, all while I am praying for each grieving family."
Suska Altenbaumer
Artist
Suska is one of our Mamie’s artists and the sister of Mamie’s Art Director, Hannah Forbush. She is a wife and mother of 2. Suska is a high school history teacher by trade but began working as an artist with Mamie’s Poppy Plates in the summer of 2021.
Dr. Courtney Sick
Dr. Courtney Sick is an ob/gyn physician and practices in Conway. She learned about Mamie’s while completing her ob/gyn residency at UAMS. Her passion for the organization grew after the loss of her daughter, Lucille (Luci) in 2016. She started volunteering monthly and was then asked to join the board. She also has 2 other children, Oscar and Sydney.
Carroll Jo Malloy
Carroll Jo Malloy has been with Mamie's even before Mamie was born. Carroll Jo followed Sarah's blog and has been volunteering since Mamie's began in 2010. Mamie's is also a part of her professional life, working in family services at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Carroll Jo works closely with parents and caregivers of children in the NICU and CVICU, assisting them in their child's health journey, providing resources and comfort while they are away from home.
Linda Jenkins
My Name is Linda Jenkins. I have been married to my husband, Dustin since 2001 and we have 2 beautiful earthling daughters and one beautiful Angel. I have worked for Citizens Bank in RI in their technology department for over 20 years. In 2011 my first child, Annabelle, was born a sleeping Angel. I was introduced to Mamie's Poppy Plates when I met Sarah Adams, and she shared her story with me. A few weeks later we received our very own Plate and it was such a comfort that we immediately hung it in our living room to share with anyone who enters our home. These 2 events helped provide peace and healing in a difficult time, and guided me to realize that I wanted to continue to help other Angel Mom's by sharing my story, in the hopes I could give them a bit of the comfort Sarah gave me. God puts the right people, in the right place, at the right time, and I am so blessed that he led me to Sarah and Mamie. Mamies Poppy Plates is an organization I share with all my friends, family, and new Angel Moms I meet. I am excited to see what God will do with this amazing organization and I am beyond thrilled to be a part of it.
Lindsey Woodward
Lindsey is a wife and mom to 4 kids, two on Earth and two in Heaven. Lindsey is the High School Girls Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church.
Anna Zink
Anna is a wife and mom to a teenage daughter. She is the marketing coordinator for a corporate law firm and has a passion for coordinating special events and weddings.
Britney Spees
Britney is a wife and mom of 2 boys. Britney is also Mamie’s aunt. In 2010 when Sarah shared her idea of giving back, Britney was all in and has been ever since. Britney is currently pursuing a degree as a clinical therapist.
Sarah Varner
Sarah is Mamie’s mom. She also has a son and daughter here on this earth. Sarah is a photographer and has always had a big-picture vision for the future of Mamie’s. When her idea of Mamie’s Poppy Plates bloomed she looked ahead with much excitement and has moved forward with her big ideas ever since.
Drew Smith
Drew and his wife Sydney are parents to 4 beautiful daughters. Drew is the Treasurer for Windstream Communications here in Little Rock and has worked at the company in various leadership roles for more than 12 years. Outside of work, Drew loves having fun with his wife and girls and living their busy life.
Drew and his wife were introduced to Mamie’s through a fellow Board Member, Lindsey Woodward.
Elizabeth Pitman
Elizabeth serves as the Director of the Division of Medical Services for the Medicaid program for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. In this role, she manages the operations for Medicaid and administers the managed care programs, claims processing, contracts, and the fee-for-service program. Elizabeth graduated with a Joint law degree and Masters in Public Health in 2009. After spending a brief time in private practice, she worked as an attorney for Child Welfare and Adult Protective Services with the Department of Human Services.