Meet Teresa Busby of Memphis TN

Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Busby.

Hi Teresa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Teresa Busby, and I’m proud to call Sumner, MS, my home. I am a devoted mother of three, though I’ve faced the unimaginable pain of losing my son in a tragic train accident on July 1, 2008. His life was cut short due to circumstances beyond his control, involving the actions of his stepmother’s brother, who was under the influence of drugs. As a single mother, the journey has been challenging, but my faith in God has been my guiding light.

I graduated from MVSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, which has fueled my passion for helping others. I’m excited about traveling to the Hilton Hotel in downtown LA in July 2026 to promote my upcoming book, “A Shadow of a Mother: Broken Pieces,” which shares my journey of healing after the loss of a child. This book, set to be published on November 22, 2025, is deeply personal and aims to provide comfort to anyone who has experienced a similar loss.

I’ve endured struggles with depression, suicidal thoughts, and feelings of loneliness, but I believe that this book can be a source of healing for those who read it. While I still face challenges, my faith remains my strongest ally, and I am committed to sharing my story.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I encountered a series of obstacles and challenges as I tried to rediscover myself. It took me quite a while to board a train again. I struggled with the idea of forgiving his stepmother. Deep down, I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to love my daughters properly because I felt abandoned, like God didn’t love me after taking my son. I often found myself feeling fearful when seeing other parents with their children, and that fear would creep in. Depression became my greatest enemy, leaving me in bed with thoughts of wishing I were no longer here. Grief became the air that filled my lungs. It seeped into my very being, filling the void within me, rewriting every part of who I was with a new kind of pain. This wasn’t just sadness; it was disorientation, a sense of drowning, a complete unraveling of my former self.

Though my hands continued to go through the motions of feeding, rocking, and caring, they felt detached, as if I were merely a spectator in my own life. My heart, once vibrant and full of purpose, now only beat because it was necessary.

And yet, love persisted. It lingered in the echoes of his laughter, which still resonated within the walls of our home. It clung to every photograph, every birthday card, and each crayon drawing adorned with crooked hearts and lopsided figures that called out “Mommy” in wobbly letters. Love didn’t vanish with him; it remained, transformed. It was fractured, undoubtedly, but it was also fierce, enduring, and relentless.

This book tells the story of that survival.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work in the field of Mental Health, and I truly cherish the opportunity it gives me to share my journey and inspire others to have faith. I’ve faced numerous challenges, grappling with tough days and financial uncertainties. Despite all I’ve been through, I’m grateful that I’m now in a position to bring a smile to others’ faces.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Resilience enables one to recover from setbacks, while persistence is the capacity to continue trying and exerting effort despite challenges. Being truthful and holding strong moral principles is essential. It took me a while to regain my ability to bounce back after losing my son because I blamed everyone. I faced the challenge of being courageous, remaining brave and undeterred by danger or pain. This was my experience as I sought a way to pray to God again.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: TeresaBusby365
• Facebook: Teresa Busby
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Canvas pictures