Brothers reunite after 43 years

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Tim Witt was only a few months old in the winter of 1962 when his mother abandoned him and his four brothers in St. Paul. The Wytheville resident didn’t see his brothers again until 46 years later, at a recent reunion he initiated.
“It was really unbelievable,” Witt noted of the event. “We were all so excited to see each other. It was like we’d never been apart.”
During the weekend get-together last month, Witt heard for the first time many of the details surrounding his family’s separation. He still struggles with the emotional turmoil caused by the traumatic experience.
According to him, he was born in Lebanon, Va., in 1962. He was only a few months old when his mother took him and his four older brothers to an old house in St. Paul where she left them.
“Billy was 8 years old then,” Witt said. “He went to a house in the area and begged for food. The woman found out from him where we were staying. She knew nobody lived in the house so she called the sheriff and social services.”
The youngsters were placed in the foster care of Boyd and Virgie Witt, who lived in Cleveland, just outside of Lebanon. Eventually, they were placed in other foster homes because the state would not allow the Witts to adopt all five of the brothers.
“They adopted me,” recalled Witt. “They would have adopted us all but they were too old. I didn’t know who my real mom was until I was 18 years old and I didn’t know anything about my brothers. As far as I was concerned Boyd and Virgie were my real parents.”
Years later, his adoptive parents told him his surname had been Turner. They also told him who his real mother was.
“To me it was just a name,” Witt commented. “They raised me. They provided for me. They were still my parents.”
Working construction jobs, Witt stayed near his parents. He took care of them until they died.
While working at Smyth County Community Hospital some 20 years ago, Witt learned from a newspaper article that his brothers reunited in Bristol after 23 years apart. He also discovered they were looking for him.
“My supervisor Patty Smith handed me the Bristol paper,” recalled Witt. “She recognized the names and she said ‘Read this.’ I called them all up and we talked.”
Witt attributes his young age at the time to losing touch with his brothers. He didn’t want to see his birth mother who has since died.
“I didn’t have any use for them and I had no use for my real mom,” Witt said.
Witt’s job in traffic control brought him to Wytheville five years ago. He is employed by TME Enterprises.
Moving to Wytheville also brought Witt into a relationship with Linda Johnson. He eventually told her about his past.
“Linda played a big part in the reunion,” Witt stated. “If it hadn’t been for her, this probably wouldn’t have happened.”
Last year, he said, Johnson talked him into going to see his late mother’s husband, Nelson Helton, in Lebanon. They were given the telephone numbers of two of the brothers.
“I had such a great childhood. My sister and I are so close,” Johnson commented. “Something inside me told me he needed to experience what I experienced. I needed to give him what I had.”
Johnson carried the telephone numbers around in her purse for several months. She never pushed Witt into making the calls.
“Tim told me to put them up,” Johnson said. “He said he’d call when he was ready.”
Eventually, Witt made the calls. He had hoped for a Thanksgiving reunion last year but learned one of his brothers was undergoing treatment for cancer.
The weekend of April 19 was agreed upon for the get-together. Witt’s home was to be the scene since it was sort of central.
Billy Turner came from his home in Ramey, Pa. Johnny Turner arrived from Bristol, Tenn.
“They kept their original last names,” Witt noted. “Billy shifted around for awhile in foster homes until he was 18 and joined the Army. The welfare gave Johnny back to his real mother.”
Brothers Doug Pardue and Rodney Pardue were adopted by the same family. Doug lives in Jackson, Miss., and Rodney resides in Knoxville, Tenn.
The brothers were accompanied to the reunion by their wives.
“It was awesome. They all came,” Witt stated. “It was really unbelievable. We were all so excited to see each other. It was like we’d never been apart.”
There were lots of tears. There were lots of hugs.
“It was the most wonderful thing ever,” Johnson added. “It was a once in a lifetime thing. I feel honored to have been a part of something this big.”
The brothers pledged to get together each June beginning next year. They agreed to meet at Witt’s home.
“I’m very glad we got together,” Witt remarked. “I wish it could have happened sooner. I have to admit it was one of the best days of my life. I think the time had to be right and I had to be ready.”
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .