Woman devastated to discover her husband was actually her father
Published: 2013 July 02 07:36:00 (5014 Views)
An Ohio woman is finally speaking out about the pain she suffered after discovering that the man she married also fathered her.
Valerie Spruill of Doylestown learned of her husband's identity six years after he passed away in 1998 thanks to an uncle who eventually came forward with the truth, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.
She says she is now going public with her past in the hopes that it will inspire those going through a rough time.
"I want this to be more of an inspirational story," the 60-year-old told the newspaper. "If I've come through this, anyone can come through anything through the help of the Lord."
Valerie's mother and father, Percy Spruill, first started seeing each other when he was 15. It remains unclear how many children they had together, though Valerie says she is aware of six brothers.
Valerie's grandmother began taking care of her when she was 3-months-old, but it wasn't until age 9 that Valerie discovered the first of many secrets her family had kept from her.
She learned that the man she believed was her father was actually her grandfather. She also realised that a woman who said she was a family friend actually was her mother.
The story "needs to be told, because children need to know where they come from," she said. "And I know it hurts, because I have been devastated by this."
Her mother, Christine, was a "night lady" before she died in 1984, Valerie said.
Christine testified in the infamous 1980s corruption trial of Summit County Probate Judge James Barbuto, who was later convicted of sex charges.
In 2004, Valerie confirmed that her late husband was her father with the help of a DNA test.
Valerie said she can't say for certain whether Percy was aware of the extent of their relationship, though she believes he did know and was simply too afraid to tell her.
She is still seeing a therapist to come to terms with the difficult revelation.
She has also sought medical treatment for a series of serious medical problems that she believes stem from the stress she endured in the years after the discovery.
Valerie says she hopes her decision to go public will help her find more siblings.
"My biggest goal is to find them and let 'em know that [their mother] loved them, no matter what," she said. "And [to say], 'Thank God she gave you away like she did me, so you could have a beautiful life.'"
- NYDaily
Valerie Spruill of Doylestown learned of her husband's identity six years after he passed away in 1998 thanks to an uncle who eventually came forward with the truth, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.
She says she is now going public with her past in the hopes that it will inspire those going through a rough time.
"I want this to be more of an inspirational story," the 60-year-old told the newspaper. "If I've come through this, anyone can come through anything through the help of the Lord."
Valerie's mother and father, Percy Spruill, first started seeing each other when he was 15. It remains unclear how many children they had together, though Valerie says she is aware of six brothers.
Valerie's grandmother began taking care of her when she was 3-months-old, but it wasn't until age 9 that Valerie discovered the first of many secrets her family had kept from her.
She learned that the man she believed was her father was actually her grandfather. She also realised that a woman who said she was a family friend actually was her mother.
The story "needs to be told, because children need to know where they come from," she said. "And I know it hurts, because I have been devastated by this."
Her mother, Christine, was a "night lady" before she died in 1984, Valerie said.
Christine testified in the infamous 1980s corruption trial of Summit County Probate Judge James Barbuto, who was later convicted of sex charges.
In 2004, Valerie confirmed that her late husband was her father with the help of a DNA test.
Valerie said she can't say for certain whether Percy was aware of the extent of their relationship, though she believes he did know and was simply too afraid to tell her.
She is still seeing a therapist to come to terms with the difficult revelation.
She has also sought medical treatment for a series of serious medical problems that she believes stem from the stress she endured in the years after the discovery.
Valerie says she hopes her decision to go public will help her find more siblings.
"My biggest goal is to find them and let 'em know that [their mother] loved them, no matter what," she said. "And [to say], 'Thank God she gave you away like she did me, so you could have a beautiful life.'"
- NYDaily
0
You May Like These Videos
WATCH: Victims Narrate Ordeal After Being Clobbered By Riot Cops
FLASHBACK: Morgan Tsvangirai Won't Resign Despite Illness 
Police Violently Beat Harare Protesters 
Zimbabwean Man Who Was Shot By Tswana Employer Appeals For HelpComments
There are no comments.
Get Zim Metro Updates Alerts
Big Reads
Schoolgirl drops out after continuous 'sexual abuse' by teacher
by Staff Reporter | 2019 August 13 07:42:33
Mugabe Knows Nothing About The Zimbabwe Constitution: MP
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 08:12:02
Zim's Protesting Graduates Risk Losing Degrees For Expressing Anger Against Mugabe
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:57:08
Troubled Harare Giants Dynamos Falls Into Another Deep Crisis
by Own Correspondent | 2016 October 01 07:49:17
Grace Mugabe Grovels At Mnangagwa, Says I Did Not Ask Ubaba To Fire You
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:31:48
Mugabe Attacks Mawarire, Claims The Exiled Pastor Failed To Divide Zimbabwe
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:19:13
Shock As Local Bank Denies 'Rich' Mugabe's Son Heifty Credit
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 30 19:14:54Trouble For Police Officers Who Have Been Mercilessly Bludgeoning Protesters
by Staff Reporter | 2016 October 01 07:20:19
Mugabe "Home Coming" And "Thank You" Rally On Cards
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 23 06:48:24
Prof Moyo Was Dumped By Western Embassies, Claims Mutsvangwa
by Staff Reporter | 2016 September 22 10:08:07Broke RBZ Tracks Down Zimbabweans Living Outside The Country Over Taxi
by Staff Reporter | 2016 September 22 09:16:20
You Are Too Old To Lead, Aging Zim President Mugabe Told
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 22 07:19:25
Anti-Corruption Commission Loses Property In Failed Probe
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 20 03:18:19
.jpg)
SHOCKING:14 Year Old HIV-Positive Boy Rapes 7 Pupils
by Own Correspondent | 2016 September 20 00:04:55
