Author Nick: None
Name: Iva Dean Howell-Daugherty
About Author: I was born Iva Dean Howell, to Liddie Howell of Little Petercave, KY on Dec. 23, 1956. My biological father was Merd Adkins, but my mother chose for me to use her last name, of which I am thankful. I would like to say that Merd did not contribute anything to my raising, either during my childhood or my teenage years, and he only tried to meet me one year during May Meeting, way after my children were born.
I was birthed on the kitchen table in my Grandfathers home (Lacy & Joanna Howell) with my Great Aunt Virgie Howell in attendance as my mothers midwife. My birth was uneventful (thank God) and quick, around 30 minutes as told to me by my mother. She said I was a very good baby, no colic, and very healthy during the first years of my life. I feel that I was a blessed child to be born into such a family as the Howell's. We are a very strong, closeknit family and would do anything for each other. I am extremely proud to call them my family.
My mother moved to Justice, WV when I was about 9 months old and married my stepdad, Leroy Neace. I grew up in Justice, WV and attended Gilbert area schools in Mingo Co..
I married Butch Daugherty when I was 16 years old and had my first child when I had barely turned 18. We named him Adam Dale Daugherty. I thought he was the most beautiful boy baby I had ever laid my eyes on. Five years later I gave birth to another baby, this time a little girl (the most beautiful baby girl I had ever laid my eyes on), and we named her Victoria Eve Daugherty. We now had an Adam and an Eve. Oweing to the fact that I loved the Lord so much, I felt strongly that my children should be named from the Bible. I figured if it was good enough for the Bible, then it was good enough for me. I believe every thing that is written in the Bible, PERIOD!
I decided to go back to school around 1990 when my husband was injured at his strip mining job. We were used to a good living provided for us by my husband (and the good Lord) and naturally I wanted my children to be able to have their needs well met while they were growing up. I attended Southern WV Community College for my first 2 years and Bluefield State College my second 2 years, majoring in Education. I attained my Masters Degree at Marshall University along with several certifications in special education. I have worked in the Mingo County School system for the last 15 years as an educator. I also work as a pet groomer and operate my own shop right out from my house on Little Cub Creek in Wyoming Co.. I have two grandchildren, Jacob Adam Daugherty and Lilly Grace Rasmussen. I am still married to Butch Daugherty (through thick and thin) and still serving the Lord, no matter what the weather!
I own several dogs, sleep with three Yorkies and sometimes a cat, and stay so busy I don't know if I'm up or down!!
I lost my precious mother on Jan. 13, 2009 (I cannot explain how it has changed me, how I miss her voice and her smile), but she's only away from me for a little while. I know that one day soon I will see her again in Heaven. She's waiting there for me, standing with her family that have gone on before her. What a reunion that is going to be!!
My uncle, Milford Howell told me a story about a picture that was taken on a graveyard that showed a demon sitting in a tree. He said that three young soldiers had been killed and sent home to be buried. Several local men had gathered to dig the graves, all side by side. Someone took [...]
Rest of the Story ...Many years ago, my grandfather, Lacy Howell, told me of a story that happened to him when he was a teenager living in the mountain hollows of Martin County, Kentucky. He had been courtinâ?? a young girl that lived several miles from his home in a nearby hollow. One evening he decided to go visit [...]
Rest of the Story ...When I was a little girl a favorite past time of mine was going bare footed during the warm summer months of June, July, & August. Dredjing my feet through the warm, sandy soil on the roads and yards of my youth. Looking back I can still feel the heat and silkiness of the dust as [...]
Rest of the Story ...