Marcella's Life Story
September 1, 2016
Marcella's life began on November 12, 1929 at Little Creek of Straight Fork in Yeager, Kentucky. She was delivered at home by a mid-wife named Sally Johnson. She was the eighth child born to James Madison Compton and Della Reynolds Compton. Her siblings are Nanna, Anna, Dorothy, Martha, James Marion, Willie Lee, and Elizabeth.
When Marcella was one month old, the family moved to Harold's Branch in Pikeville, Kentucky. She would fondly talk about playing on the hill with her dog, Rattler, when she was a toddler. The family lived in a small house and Marcella and her sisters had to sleep three to a bed. The house did not have electricity, running water, or a bath tub, and they used an out house.
When she was about four years old, the family moved and went by wagon to Chloe Creek in Pikeville, Kentucky where her dad rented a farm house from Reill Morris. This house had running water, electricity, and a bathroom. Sleeping arrangements were the same, three to a bed with Marcella in the middle. They had a lot of land and many apple, peach, and pear trees. Her family grew everything they ate such as corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, sweet potatoes, popcorn, and all garden vegetables. They also had a watermelon patch and some of the neighborhood boys would steal watermelons from them, one of the boys being Garret Billiter, Martha's future husband.
On Friday nights they would gather around the fireplace with a pan of corn to shuck. In the meantime, her mom would make a huge kettle of hot chocolate for them along with graham crackers and marshmallows for when they were finished with the corn. They had cows, horses, geese, ducks, chickens, pigs, cats, and dogs. There were a lot of chores. Cows had to be milked and animals fed before and after school. As a supplemental income they sold milk, butter, buttermilk, and eggs. It kept the family very busy.
Marcella started school at a little school house in Chloe Creek across the road from their house. All grades were in one big room with a curtain dividing the room into two. She attended first through most of the eighth grade there and then attended Pikeville High School for the last semester of the eighth grade.
By that time her four older sisters began marrying and starting their own families which left James, Willie Lee, Liz, and Marcella at home. Then James and Willie Lee enlisted in the Navy and went off to war (WWII).
Since the family lived on such a large farm, it was impossible for them to maintain it as her dad was away most of the time working highway jobs. So Liz and Marcella talked their mom and dad into moving into town where they rented a house in Happy Hollow in Pikeville, Kentucky. They did not like it much, but made due.
They had only been living at Happy Hollow for a few months when in 1942 her dad bought a two story farm house in Collins that sat at the top of a knoll. He bought the house for $5,000 from Bill Stratton. Marcella was 13 years old at the time. The house sat on 42 acres of land. It was absolutely beautiful. Marcella said these were the best times of her childhood. The house and land are still in the Compton family to this date.
To pass the time, Marcella, Liz, James, and Willie would play many games, card games especially, and had so much fun. Her older sisters and their families would come home to visit and everyone would play hide and seek, ball games, ante over, and horseshoes out in the large front yard. Everyone would also get together for a mean game of Rook. The Compton's are very serious Rook players!
In 1943, Liz and Marcella started school at Virgie High School which is where they both eventually graduated. A few years later, James and Willie came home from the Navy. They worked in the mines with their dad and later worked on the roadways. They both got married within the next few years. In 1945 Liz graduated from high school and began working at Kentucky Power Company. She married Bill Riddle in 1950.
Marcella still had a few years of school to go. During high school she enjoyed playing volleyball, basketball, and softball. One game she vividly remembered which she always got a kick telling about was when she was a senior. The school held a basketball game in the gym and all of the players had to ride donkeys. The girls played the women teachers and the girls won. She said it was hysterical and a lot of fun. Marcella was in the Pep Club, Glee Club, and several school plays too. She graduated in 1947 and that same year began working at her first job which was at Southern Bell as a telephone operator.
Then in October 1948, on a blind date, Marcella met William Goebel Huffman, the love of her life (although she did not realize it at the time). She was not sure about a second date, but took a chance and the rest is history.
Marcella and Bill dated for four years while he was stationed at the Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, NC. Every weekend he would drive several hours home to see Marcella and his family. Bill finally asked Marcella to marry him and on January 1,1953 they wed before family and a few friends in the Compton home on the hill.
After Bill was honorably discharged from the US Marine Corps in 1953, they moved to Fort Pierce, Florida next door to Bill's parents, Archie and Molly Huffman. For income, Bill hauled milk for awhile with his brother John (who had also moved to Fort Pierce with his wife, Patricia). Then, because Bill was good with numbers, he was able to get a job with GMAC in West Palm Beach, Florida. So Bill and Marcella moved to West Palm Beach where he worked at GMAC and then Bank and Trust Company of Palm Beach County as an Assistant Cashier. They moved to a rental house on Avon Road and in October 1954 their first child, William Goebel Huffman, Jr., was born.
After a few years they moved to a rental house at 554 Cherry Road. In August 1961 their second child, Victoria Lynn Huffman, was born. It was at that time that Marcella decided to take time off from work to raise their two children.
In 1966, Bill and Marcella decided to move back to Pikeville, Kentucky to be closer to their families. They rented the house on the hill from Marcella’s Dad. Bill worked for Marcella's brother, James, at his grocery store while trying to find work in the banking industry. Unfortunately, after a year of searching, Bill could not find a bank job so in 1967 the family returned to Fort Pierce, Florida. In August 1967 Bill secured a job at First National Bank l/k/a Southeast Bank and in 1970 was named Vice President over the installment loan department. He eventually retired in 1991.
Bill, Marcella, Bill Jr., and Victoria lived for a year with Bill’s parents before Bill and Marcella bought their first house on York Avenue in July 1969. This is where they lived for 33 wonderful years. It was also around this time that Marcella decided to return to BellSouth and after a few years was promoted to the Business Services Dept. She eventually retired in 1985.
The house on York Avenue is where Bill and Marcella’s two children grew up and then went on to live their own separate lives. Victoria is a licensed private investigator and former police officer. Bill Jr. worked and retired from BellSouth after 30 years. He married Deborah Schroeder in 1982 and they have one daughter, Jennifer Eileen Huffman, born in 1983; and Deborah's daughter from a previous marriage, Kathy Annette (Roberts) Larson, born in 1973. Jennifer graduated with her master's degree in Japanese studies and was fortunate enough to study in Japan for a year. Kathy is married to Ron Larson and is a school teacher. They have two children, Alex and Erinn.
Marcella and Bill thoroughly enjoyed their lives together. Over the years they traveled to many locations with friends and would take yearly summer vacations with their children to Pikeville, Kentucky where both Marcella and Bill's entire families would get together for some fun times. They really looked forward to the yearly family reunions.
Marcella and Bill also enjoyed bowling and golfing together. Marcella was one good cook and baker as well. In fact her desserts were so good that when she would enter them in the St. Lucie County Fair they always won a ribbon. She also enjoyed making ceramics, growing roses and orchids, and even played on a softball team in her 40's. Marcella and Bill had a deep faith in The Lord and were active members of the First United Methodist Church for many years. Marcella also enjoyed being a member of the Miriam Circle which would meet once a month. She made many long-lasting friends through church.
In November 2002, Bill and Marcella decided to sell their beloved home and bought a condo so that they could travel and enjoy their golden years.
Unfortunately, in 2003 Bill was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and, as the disease progressed, that made it increasingly difficult to travel and enjoy life to its fullest. But Bill and Marcella had each other’s love and that is what really mattered. Bill passed away peacefully on September 14, 2007 with Marcella by his side.
After Bill’s passing, Marcella continued on with the support of her family and friends. She stayed active in her church and kept her faith in the Lord. Her daughter, Victoria, lived close by and visited often. And Marcella never missed a Pikeville family reunion. In April 2011, due to Marcella's failing health (she had a mini-stroke in April 2007 while visiting Bill in the nursing home and was also diagnosed with Vascular Dementia), she moved in with her daughter where she lived until her peaceful passing on August 26, 2016 with her daughter by her side.
Marcella was a kind, loving soul who will be greatly missed by many. But we must take comfort in knowing that she and Bill have reunited in heaven along with their loved ones who have gone before them, and are awaiting the day when we will all be together again.
When Marcella was one month old, the family moved to Harold's Branch in Pikeville, Kentucky. She would fondly talk about playing on the hill with her dog, Rattler, when she was a toddler. The family lived in a small house and Marcella and her sisters had to sleep three to a bed. The house did not have electricity, running water, or a bath tub, and they used an out house.
When she was about four years old, the family moved and went by wagon to Chloe Creek in Pikeville, Kentucky where her dad rented a farm house from Reill Morris. This house had running water, electricity, and a bathroom. Sleeping arrangements were the same, three to a bed with Marcella in the middle. They had a lot of land and many apple, peach, and pear trees. Her family grew everything they ate such as corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, sweet potatoes, popcorn, and all garden vegetables. They also had a watermelon patch and some of the neighborhood boys would steal watermelons from them, one of the boys being Garret Billiter, Martha's future husband.
On Friday nights they would gather around the fireplace with a pan of corn to shuck. In the meantime, her mom would make a huge kettle of hot chocolate for them along with graham crackers and marshmallows for when they were finished with the corn. They had cows, horses, geese, ducks, chickens, pigs, cats, and dogs. There were a lot of chores. Cows had to be milked and animals fed before and after school. As a supplemental income they sold milk, butter, buttermilk, and eggs. It kept the family very busy.
Marcella started school at a little school house in Chloe Creek across the road from their house. All grades were in one big room with a curtain dividing the room into two. She attended first through most of the eighth grade there and then attended Pikeville High School for the last semester of the eighth grade.
By that time her four older sisters began marrying and starting their own families which left James, Willie Lee, Liz, and Marcella at home. Then James and Willie Lee enlisted in the Navy and went off to war (WWII).
Since the family lived on such a large farm, it was impossible for them to maintain it as her dad was away most of the time working highway jobs. So Liz and Marcella talked their mom and dad into moving into town where they rented a house in Happy Hollow in Pikeville, Kentucky. They did not like it much, but made due.
They had only been living at Happy Hollow for a few months when in 1942 her dad bought a two story farm house in Collins that sat at the top of a knoll. He bought the house for $5,000 from Bill Stratton. Marcella was 13 years old at the time. The house sat on 42 acres of land. It was absolutely beautiful. Marcella said these were the best times of her childhood. The house and land are still in the Compton family to this date.
To pass the time, Marcella, Liz, James, and Willie would play many games, card games especially, and had so much fun. Her older sisters and their families would come home to visit and everyone would play hide and seek, ball games, ante over, and horseshoes out in the large front yard. Everyone would also get together for a mean game of Rook. The Compton's are very serious Rook players!
In 1943, Liz and Marcella started school at Virgie High School which is where they both eventually graduated. A few years later, James and Willie came home from the Navy. They worked in the mines with their dad and later worked on the roadways. They both got married within the next few years. In 1945 Liz graduated from high school and began working at Kentucky Power Company. She married Bill Riddle in 1950.
Marcella still had a few years of school to go. During high school she enjoyed playing volleyball, basketball, and softball. One game she vividly remembered which she always got a kick telling about was when she was a senior. The school held a basketball game in the gym and all of the players had to ride donkeys. The girls played the women teachers and the girls won. She said it was hysterical and a lot of fun. Marcella was in the Pep Club, Glee Club, and several school plays too. She graduated in 1947 and that same year began working at her first job which was at Southern Bell as a telephone operator.
Then in October 1948, on a blind date, Marcella met William Goebel Huffman, the love of her life (although she did not realize it at the time). She was not sure about a second date, but took a chance and the rest is history.
Marcella and Bill dated for four years while he was stationed at the Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, NC. Every weekend he would drive several hours home to see Marcella and his family. Bill finally asked Marcella to marry him and on January 1,1953 they wed before family and a few friends in the Compton home on the hill.
After Bill was honorably discharged from the US Marine Corps in 1953, they moved to Fort Pierce, Florida next door to Bill's parents, Archie and Molly Huffman. For income, Bill hauled milk for awhile with his brother John (who had also moved to Fort Pierce with his wife, Patricia). Then, because Bill was good with numbers, he was able to get a job with GMAC in West Palm Beach, Florida. So Bill and Marcella moved to West Palm Beach where he worked at GMAC and then Bank and Trust Company of Palm Beach County as an Assistant Cashier. They moved to a rental house on Avon Road and in October 1954 their first child, William Goebel Huffman, Jr., was born.
After a few years they moved to a rental house at 554 Cherry Road. In August 1961 their second child, Victoria Lynn Huffman, was born. It was at that time that Marcella decided to take time off from work to raise their two children.
In 1966, Bill and Marcella decided to move back to Pikeville, Kentucky to be closer to their families. They rented the house on the hill from Marcella’s Dad. Bill worked for Marcella's brother, James, at his grocery store while trying to find work in the banking industry. Unfortunately, after a year of searching, Bill could not find a bank job so in 1967 the family returned to Fort Pierce, Florida. In August 1967 Bill secured a job at First National Bank l/k/a Southeast Bank and in 1970 was named Vice President over the installment loan department. He eventually retired in 1991.
Bill, Marcella, Bill Jr., and Victoria lived for a year with Bill’s parents before Bill and Marcella bought their first house on York Avenue in July 1969. This is where they lived for 33 wonderful years. It was also around this time that Marcella decided to return to BellSouth and after a few years was promoted to the Business Services Dept. She eventually retired in 1985.
The house on York Avenue is where Bill and Marcella’s two children grew up and then went on to live their own separate lives. Victoria is a licensed private investigator and former police officer. Bill Jr. worked and retired from BellSouth after 30 years. He married Deborah Schroeder in 1982 and they have one daughter, Jennifer Eileen Huffman, born in 1983; and Deborah's daughter from a previous marriage, Kathy Annette (Roberts) Larson, born in 1973. Jennifer graduated with her master's degree in Japanese studies and was fortunate enough to study in Japan for a year. Kathy is married to Ron Larson and is a school teacher. They have two children, Alex and Erinn.
Marcella and Bill thoroughly enjoyed their lives together. Over the years they traveled to many locations with friends and would take yearly summer vacations with their children to Pikeville, Kentucky where both Marcella and Bill's entire families would get together for some fun times. They really looked forward to the yearly family reunions.
Marcella and Bill also enjoyed bowling and golfing together. Marcella was one good cook and baker as well. In fact her desserts were so good that when she would enter them in the St. Lucie County Fair they always won a ribbon. She also enjoyed making ceramics, growing roses and orchids, and even played on a softball team in her 40's. Marcella and Bill had a deep faith in The Lord and were active members of the First United Methodist Church for many years. Marcella also enjoyed being a member of the Miriam Circle which would meet once a month. She made many long-lasting friends through church.
In November 2002, Bill and Marcella decided to sell their beloved home and bought a condo so that they could travel and enjoy their golden years.
Unfortunately, in 2003 Bill was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and, as the disease progressed, that made it increasingly difficult to travel and enjoy life to its fullest. But Bill and Marcella had each other’s love and that is what really mattered. Bill passed away peacefully on September 14, 2007 with Marcella by his side.
After Bill’s passing, Marcella continued on with the support of her family and friends. She stayed active in her church and kept her faith in the Lord. Her daughter, Victoria, lived close by and visited often. And Marcella never missed a Pikeville family reunion. In April 2011, due to Marcella's failing health (she had a mini-stroke in April 2007 while visiting Bill in the nursing home and was also diagnosed with Vascular Dementia), she moved in with her daughter where she lived until her peaceful passing on August 26, 2016 with her daughter by her side.
Marcella was a kind, loving soul who will be greatly missed by many. But we must take comfort in knowing that she and Bill have reunited in heaven along with their loved ones who have gone before them, and are awaiting the day when we will all be together again.