Author, Storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham Dies at 93
RSSBy Rocco Staino
Kathryn Tucker Windham, a master storyteller, author of 25 books, and a popular public television and radio personality, died June 12 at her home in Selma, AL. She was 93. The mischievous Jeffrey was a "friendly ghost" who took up residence in the Windham house in 1966. In a letter printed in the foreword to 13 Alabama ghosts and Jeffrey, Windham became interested in ghost stories after Jeffrey began to haunt her family. At first, footsteps were heard in rooms that would later be found empty. Sometimes, Jeffrey would move heavy pieces of furniture, pick up and hide objects, and cause electronic equipment to malfunction. Jeffrey also spooked the family cat, Hornblower. In 1974, Windham was the featured storyteller in the second National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN, which led to a weekly commentary on Alabama Public Radio and on NPR's All Things Considered. Windham was dear friends with Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird (Lippincott, 1960), and protected her friend's privacy by never commenting about her. Lee nominated Windham to the Alabama Academy of Honor, which recognizes living Alabamians for their outstanding accomplishments and services, and she was inducted in 2003. That same year, the Alabama Southern Community College in Windham's hometown of Thomasville opened the Kathryn Tucker Windham Museum in the college library. Her personal papers and manuscripts from 1939-1995 were donated to the special collections department of the Auburn University Libraries, and in 2008, Tucker was named ABA Citizen of the Year by the Alabama Broadcasters Association. Windham was born in Selma on June 2, 1918 to a banker father and teacher mother and grew up in Thomasville. After graduating from Huntingdon College, she became a police reporter for the Alabama Journal in Montgomery, AL, and was one of the first women to cover the police beat for a major southern newspaper. In 1946, she married Amasa Benjamin Windham, and they had three children. She is survived by her son, Amasa Benjamin, Jr., and her daughter Dilcy Hilley. Her husband and daughter Kathryn (Kitt) Windham died before her. She will be buried in Selma in a custom-made pine casket that she kept at her home. My heart truly aches,what a gracious lady.A joy even to speak with on the phone.
She came to do stories with out hesitation,because stories were meant to be told. When she decided to remain on her side of the Mason Dixon line,we in the north were saddened for our loss.
Now the world of storytelling grieves in unison for the southern lady of tales.
What joy she brings to heaven. grew up in Alabama and she was a huge influence on me. I first spoke with
her when I was 14 and couldn't believe how accessible she was. I wish she could
know I went on to start a very successful <a href="http://www.blueorbtours.com/">
savannah ghost tours</a> in large part because of the inspiration I drew from
reading and talking to her. She will be sorely missed. Safe passage, Kathryn. Kathryn came to our church family retreat, many years
ago, and told stories of Jeffrey and others. The joy we
received from listening to her stories, influenced and
encouraged my husband to start telling stories in the
local schools. For several years after hearing her, we
went to Corn Island Storytelling Festival, and once
made a trip to Selma to hear Kathryn again. We even
visited the Sunday School class and church she was
attending at the time. We have several of Kathryn's
books and enjoy reading them over and over. We know she
and Jeffrey are enjoying Heaven. She will be greatly
missed, but she will live on in our hearts and in her
books. God bless her family and friends. * = Required information
Windham is probably best known by young readers for her knowledge of southern folklore and for her series of "true" ghost story collections, which have long been staples in schools and libraries throughout the south, beginning with 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey in 1969. Other titles included Jeffrey introduces 13 more Southern ghosts (1971), 13 Georgia ghosts and Jeffrey (1973), 13 Mississippi ghosts and Jeffrey (1974), 13 Tennessee ghosts and Jeffrey (1976), and Jeffrey's latest 13: more Alabama ghosts (1982). In 2004, Windham wrote Jeffrey's favorite 13 ghost stories, which was a collection of featured stories from the previous books.
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