Macon Army sergeant surprises children at school after coming home for the holidays

For Jaxon and Josiah Rocker, it seemed like just another day at John R. Lewis Elementary School.

With just a few hours standing between them and Thanksgiving break, they came into the lunchroom eager for a respite before they powered through the rest of the day.

That is, until their mother, Sgt. Shanterria Rocker, came strolling through the cafeteria doors.

Rocker last saw her children nine months ago, before she was deployed by the U.S. Army to Poland. There, she was a petroleum supply specialist responsible for keeping military planes and helicopters fueled and ready.

She’s been in the military since 2016, when she graduated from high school and followed her older brother into the Army. When her sons were born, it made her service feel even more impactful.

“For us military families, especially being a single mom, you’ve just got to keep hope alive. When you come home to your babies, just keep that thought in the back of your mind,” Rocker said. “Just keep going, we all know the reason and purpose that we joined, and these babies just keep us going.”

While she was deployed, Rocker called Josiah, 7, and Jaxon, 6, every day. The six-hour time difference meant she often stayed up late or woke up early in order to hear their voices in between their busy schedules.

Rocker said she relied on family members in addition to teachers and staff at John R. Lewis Elementary School to make sure her boys were cared for while she was away.

“The Rocker family is really a great example of how a village should work because she was able to have peace of mind while she was serving her country while (school staff) stood in the gap with her children,” said Adrienne Hurley, principal of John R. Lewis Elementary School.

Rocker found out she would be home for the holidays about a month ago, but held off on telling Josiah and Jaxon. Instead, she emailed the school to set up an extra sweet surprise for them as they prepared for Thanksgiving break.

As soon as she stepped through the cafeteria doors in uniform, Jaxon and Josiah raced over and leapt into their mother’s arms. Rocker wiped tears from her eyes as she cradled them close.

“I couldn’t wait to just touch them, hug them, I can’t even let them go right now,” Rocker said.

Rocker said she and her sons will spend Thanksgiving with her mother, aunt and siblings. She also plans to take Jaxon and Josiah to see Christmas lights at a botanical garden, and go with them to their favorite place in town, the Macon Mall.

She said she will have to return to Poland on Dec. 1, but will be home in time for Christmas.

After a tearful reunion, the family walked out of the cafeteria together to start the holiday season a little early.