Jessie Elizabeth Sponaugle

Jessie Elizabeth (Warner) Sponaugle, was born on Dec. 2, 1924.

She was born in a log house on a hunting ground to parents Amby and Surrilda (Waybright) Warner. She was the sixth child, but shortly after, there was a big surprise when her twin sister Bessie also made an appearance, and brought the number up to seven. Most babies at that time, were home-births, as was Jessie, and the birthing mother was attended by mid-wives.

On the Hunting Ground, which is situated in the shadows of Spruce Knob — the highest point in West Virginia — winters were very cruel. Due to the cold temperatures and high elevation, several feet of snow usually remained on the ground most of the winter. Sheep sometimes had to be dug out of the snow. The log house where Jessie spent her early years, was no mansion. Snow blew inside between the cracks of the logs and laid on the floor. There was no running water, no electricity or telephone, and no indoor plumbing.

Calvin Coolidge was president when Jessie was born. In her lifetime she has seen 17 different Presidents hold office. Probably one of the most significant accomplishments during her time was July 21, 1969, when Astronaut Neil Armstrong was the first to step foot on the moon.

Jessie’s birth and youth was during very hard times. She was born prior to the Great Depression. Her father had worked in the lumber woods for $0.50 a day. He eventually acquired several tracts of land and farmed. Her father owned four work horses and two riding mares. Most all the food was home-grown and preserved, and a hog was butchered. Nothing was wasted.

Transporation was by horse and wagon, or horse and sled during winter months, or on foot. Since it was a family of nine, they milked seven cows. Jessie was allowed one pair of shoes per year, meaning she went barefoot most of the year to preserve her shoes, including during frost on the ground. When she would go back of the hill on the property to bring the cows in to be milked, due to the frost and she without shoes, she climbed on a cow’s back and rode it to the barn. The cow knew where to go, and the others followed. Her mother sewed her clothing. Often decorative feed sacks were used to make clothing.

Jessie married her high school sweetheart, Cranston Sponaugle, in 1946, and they had 73 years together when he passed in 2019 at the age of 94.

They were blessed with four children: Danny, William. Lonnie, and Patricia. Their family also includes eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Jessie’s 100th birthday was celebrated Nov.30, 2024 with her family and a host of other relatives and friends at the beautifully decorated Tygart Valley Baptist Church reception room in Beverly.