WSMV Channel 4 80-year-old sews quilts for Fort Campbell baby boom

After a year of soldiers coming home to Fort Campbell from Iraq and Afghanistan, a baby boom is officially underway at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. About 200 deliveries are expected in the early part of 2012. 

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A Clarksville woman has spent the last 20 years giving to military family newborns. With this baby boom, her sewing machine's working overtime.

"I mother everybody," said 80-year-old Lyle Tomlinson of Clarksville. "I just do. That's just in me."

Tomlinson's work is far away from the noise of a Fort Campbell homecoming. In her apartment, all you'll hear is the sewing machine.

"I love to do it," said Tomlinson. "I don't get bored. I do not get bored."

For 20 years, Tomlinson has taken it upon herself to sew quilts and teddy bears for the newborn babies of Fort Campbell soldiers. Following 30 years of working the supply field at Fort Campbell, Tomlinson's connection to the post runs deep.

"I was mother to the boys at Fort Campbell," said Tomlinson. "They would come in and sit beside my desk and tell me all their tales, all their problems or whatever. My desk was a gathering place. They just felt comfortable with me."

The real reason Tomlinson does this work is because of her only son, Mark.

"He was a brilliant mind," said Tomlinson. "He was working in nursing homes for a long time."

At the young age of 26, Mark passed away. Having lived his life serving others, Tomlinson felt she should follow her son's example and help others in a way she knew how.

"I said I couldn't help Mark, and he died," said Tomlinson. "I said I was going to help the rest of the boys out at Fort Campbell."

Tomlinson gives her quilts and teddy bears to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, who in turn, gives them to Fort Campbell moms who have just delivered. Among those moms has been Christa Castillo.

"My husband's been in the army for eleven years," said Castillo. "The quilt's a very special gift. I mean, that's something we're going to keep, and hopefully, my daughter can pass it to her own children."

Sewing quilts is a fitting purpose for Tomlinson, a woman with crocheted messages across her walls dedicated to 'mother'. A self-professed mother to everyone, Tomlinson said she's pressing on, making about 15 quilts a month. It's a purpose she knows would make Mark proud. 

"That's sort of what I felt like," said Tomlinson. "I couldn't help him, but I can continue the help."

"It's nice to know our hardships are appreciated," added Castillo. "It is a hard life."