This is the story about my grandmother Kathryn Spitler Huffman and her early demise. Leaving her husband James with nine children to raise alone. Kathryn, better known as "Katie", was the second and last child of Isaac and Sharah Varner Spitler. James was Katie's older Brother and she married a James Huffman at the age of 22. They resided in Ida valley beneath the blue ridge mountains, which became the Shenandoah National Park. At one time grandaddy James owed the Pinnacles, which is the visitors center for the parks Luray, VA entrance. They made molasses by crushing sugar cane beneath a wooden pole which was pulled by horses in a circle on a concrete pad. James was well known for his prize stallion and horse breeding. They had nine children. Katie passed away a the age of 44, two months before my mother's first birthday. James had 9 sisters and one brother. None were close enough nor had time enough, with their own families and farms to be of much assistance. He married, "the old maid", Fanny Miller. She made pantaloons that came below the knees for my Mom to wear. Being a resourceful lady of the 1930's, Mom hide them behind the mailbox when she went to school so she wouldn't be embarrassed in front of her school mates.

Grandaddy had a heart attack driving home from a visit with us. He wrecked his model T on the bridge behind our house. He passed when I was seven months old, he was 77. I don't remember him, except thru stories. I hope you enjoyed this one.