Who is Mamma Jackson from Our Only May Amelia and what is their importance?

Mamma Jackson is May Amelia's mother. Mamma Jackson is an older woman, perhaps in her late thirties or early forties, when she becomes pregnant for the eighth time. The pregnancy is hard on Mamma Jackson and she falls ill with a fever after the birth, making it impossible for her to care for the new infant. For this reason the care of the infant falls to May Amelia.