One thing that Patricia Lofton understood well were the unfortunate circumstances that she was born into. What she didn’t know was how the world would shake when she learned the truth about her family tree. Although adopted, Lofton yearned for the day when she would be reunited with her biological parents. It was a yearning that she couldn’t ignore any longer. But upon discovering her birth mother, she also learned that her sister is one of the most well-known women on the planet. Beside the name of this celebrity, Lofton’s name too would soon cover tabloids around the world. This is the story of how Patricia Lofton’s life was changed forever.
Surviving on Welfare
Patricia Lofton’s mother had far too much on her plate by the time she discovered she was pregnant with Patricia. She was already struggling to care for her current children and even with the help of welfare, it was tough. Another child would make things only much more complicated.
The hardworking mother knew that it wouldn’t be fair to the child to try to raise her in poverty. She was already struggling to get off welfare as it was. But despite the many options she could have considered to spare her new baby from a hard life, there was only one that she could bare to consider. It would be a choice that would forever change Patricia’s life.
Adoption
Putting up a child for adoption is one of the hardest choices a mother can make and it was no easier for Patricia’s mother. But she was determined that her child would have a better life than what she could offer. So when the baby was born, Patricia’s mother decided to put her up for adoption.
Unfortunately, Patricia’s life wasn’t necessarily “better” than what it would have been otherwise especially in her younger years. She was moved to various foster homes until she was finally adopted at the age of seven. Despite the struggles she had as a young girl, however, Patricia would end up experiencing one of the more extraordinary life stories we read about these days. Here is her story.
Could It Be a Mistake?
Things didn’t go as her mother had hoped, and Patricia had to go through intense hardships . She described her childhood as “difficult,” and stated that she never felt like she really fit in with her adopted family. Although she had no idea who her biological mother was, she longed to be with her.
The intense longing that Patricia felt simply wouldn’t go away. She had always felt that her mother didn’t really want to give her up and she knew that gut feeling had to be coming from somewhere. She was determined to find out where.
Curiosity
As Patricia Lofton grew older, the curiosity about her birth parents as well as whether or not she had siblings continued to grow as well. Who are they? Why did they have to give her up? The questions burned inside her. She knew she had to find the answers to her questions.
Ultimately, she would be shocked by the truth about her biological family. But before she would have the opportunity to meet them, she would undergo a challenger of her own. A challenge that was almost identical to that of her birth mother.
Doing Things Right
By the time Patricia became pregnant with her baby girl, she was still very young. In fact, by that age most of us have hardly graduated high school or began living as adults. Despite the challenges of being a young mother, however, Patricia decided that she wanted to keep her baby. She didn’t want the baby to grow up the way she had by making the same mistake her own other had.
It wasn’t an easy decision to make, still. Patricia wasn’t married and wouldn’t have the support she would have wanted when she had her baby girl, Aquarius. But after giving birth to her new daughter, the desire to meet her own mother just became stronger.
The First Attempt
Patricia was now twenty years old when she couldn’t ignore her curiosity any longer. She needed to know something, anything about her parents and she decided she was going to start her search. With determination she began filing through her adoption records.
But juggling the responsibilities in her private life as well as raising a daughter on her own, she had to give up her search in the meantime. Soon, however, she would be back to work at it and what she would discover would be all over the headlines.
Child Number Two
When Patricia’s daughter turned six, she was pregnant with yet another child. And just like with her first child, she was determined to keep her family together . Soon baby Andre, her first son, was born and she continued to raise him, along with Aquarius, on her own.
In order to care for the two children, Patricia had to start working two jobs. Still she was determined not to make the same mistake her parents did. Because of her extremely busy schedule, she had to put her search for her parents on hold for almost two decades when something incredible happened.
Searching Again
Patricia Lofton dedicated her life to raising her children in her twenties and thirties while putting her search for her biological family on hold. Although finding them was important, she wouldn’t do it at the expense of raising her children properly.
The nagging feeling hit her hard again in her forties and the emptiness began to haunt her. She needed to know who her parents were and she was ready to find them. She was done waiting. So she started with the adoption records to see if she could find anything about her mother.
Given a Cold Shoulder
Using the adoption records, Patricia was able to reach out to her birth mother. However, she got no response. Maybe she was embarrassed but either way she didn’t want anything to do with Patricia.
But fate took over and the same day that Patricia was rejected by her mother, something incredible was about to happened. Not only would she learn who her biological mother was, but she would also stumble across some unusual information that would shock her as well as the rest of the world.
Similar Dates
It was nothing short of destiny what happened that day that Patricia Lofton was denied by her mother. That same day while watching the news, she heard something very odd. It began with a story about a lady whose name was Vernita Lee.
Lee was talking about how her son, Jeffrey, had died in 1989 and that later her daughter, Pat, had died in 2003. Something about those dates triggered Patricia’s memory and somehow she knew who those people were. She was about to learn why everything sounded so familiar.
Matching Dates
Patricia had recognized those dates and locations, because she had seen the exact information about Jeffrey and Pat in her adoption records. “The hair on the back of my neck stood up,” said Patricia as she recalled the incident. “I said, ‘No, that can’t be.’”
The really shocking part about the story was the reason why it was being featured in the news. Someone very famous was a part of the family. And although Patricia didn’t know it yet, it was someone who was in fact one of the most famous women in the world. Who was it?
Vernita Stays Quiet
Andre, Patricia’s son, was certain his mother was onto something. So he began to research Vernita's information as well. Everything that his mother had heard on TV added up including the dates, the locations, everything! She had no other choice but to reach out again.
Patricia continued to try to contact Vernita Lee several times but it didn’t work. So she asked her pastor if he could reach out by means of Vernita’s pastor. Still, she could get a response from Vernita. But that’s about when Patricia and Andre noticed the missing puzzle piece, Patricia’s sister.
How Is It Possible?
As they continued to research Vernita further, Patricia and her son stumbled across a familiar name. The name was non-other than Oprah Winfrey. She was listed as one of Vernita Lee’s daughters. Was Patricia really related to the famous Oprah Winfrey?
She was determined to find out one way or another, even if Vernita wasn’t going to help. But instead of going to the press like most people would if they found out they were related to a celebrity, Patricia had a better idea.
Unwavering Determination
With her stealthy investigative abilities, Patricia Lofton was able to find a restaurant in Wisconsin owned by the niece of Oprah Winfrey. She felt that the place was the key to finding the truth to her family tree. But what would she do next?
She went on the pay the restaurant a visit in search of answers. But Winfrey’s niece was rather skeptical at first. Finally, Patricia had to show her the adoption records to prove she was telling the truth. They simply had to be related. The niece was in shock but couldn’t deny the facts.
DNA Proof
As Oprah Winfrey’s niece stared at the adoption records, she still couldn’t believe what was in front of her. To help the niece accept it, Patricia convinced her that a DNA test would be the only real way to prove the relation.
As Patricia had suspected, the DNA results came back positive. Her pursuit to find the truth was paying off. That was when she realized she was related to one of the biggest icons of the century. But there’s much more to the story than that.
Time to Tell Oprah
Once Patricia had made this amazing discovery, the news began to spread within Winfrey’s family. Soon various relatives were discussing the new addition together over email. But they decided to keep the news between each other for the time being. At least until Oprah was informed of the information.
Right from the start, Patricia believed that it was Vernita Lee’s responsibility to break the news to the world about her daughter. She herself wasn’t ready to sell the story to the press as she chose to remain faithful to her new found sister and family. The rest of the family agreed but decided that Oprah needed to know. What was her reaction?
A Confrontation With Her Mother
The celebrity was intrigued when she learned of Patricia Lofton’s story. She had herself reunited countless family members on national TV for years. Now it was happening to her. Was it really true? Did Oprah Winfrey actually have a long-lost sister?
It was time for Oprah to do her research. She started by asking her mother. When she confronted Vernita Lee, she denied the whole story. But like her half-sister, she was determined to know the truth and soon she would find it from an unlikely source.
Action!
As Oprah Winfrey was preparing in her studio one chilly October day to take stage, she suddenly remembered that she had asked her assistant to inquire about Patricia Lofton’s claims. What had she found?
Just before she walked out on to the stage, she asked her assistant if she had found out any information regarding Patricia. It was finally the moment she would learn the truth about the big secret regarding her family tree. She waited for the answer.
The Undeniable Truth
Her assistant simply looked at Oprah and told her the truth. Yes. Patricia Lofton was in fact her long-lost half-sister who had been adopted when her mother, Vernita Lee, gave her up. Winfrey couldn’t believe it. Why had her mother lied to her…to all of them?
Oprah decided to confront her mother with the facts she had found and finally Vernita admitted that it was true. In 1963 she had given up Patricia for adoption shortly after her birth. She confessed to all of it. Although still in shock, Oprah couldn’t wait to meet her sister.
Tensions Running High
But before Patricia was ready to meet her sister, she had unfinished business. She wanted to meet her mother still. So for the third and final time she reached out to her and finally Vernita agreed to meet with her one on one.
What changed Vernita’s mind this time? Perhaps it was because of Oprah’s current involvement. Finally Patricia would see Vernita face to face. It would be the first time since she was born. It would be an emotional encounter to say the least.
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
It was appropriate that the meeting would occur on Thanksgiving. Both Patricia and Oprah drove to their mother’s home in Milwaukee to two each other for the first time. They were both filled with eager anticipation but it was Patricia that arrived at the home first.
When Oprah first laid eyes on Patricia she exclaimed, “You look just like Pat!” She was referring to her sister who had deceased several years earlier. In shock, the two stared at each other while continuing to hug. But the story isn’t over yet.
Time to Catch Up
When the two sisters met for the first time, Patricia and Oprah spent the day just getting to know each other. They had a lifetime each to catch the other up on. “It was a Beloved moment,” Winfrey said. She was referring to a movie that depicts a daughter returning from the dead.
But it was more than just the fact that Patricia was Oprah’s sister. The two appreciated each other for much more. There was more to the story that caught Winfrey’s attention and it would turn out to be in Lofton’s favor.
A Lavish Introduction
Only a few months after her Thanksgiving meeting with Oprah Winfrey and Vernita Lee, Patricia was about to experience something she would never forget. Oprah was about to introduce her “new” sister on the Oprah Winfrey Show for the world to see.
The whole ordeal had been a crazy ride for Patricia Lofton. After decades of searching she met her mother and discovered her sister was a pop culture icon. But the story wasn’t over yet. Oprah had more instore for her. Patricia couldn’t help but wonder if she had deserved so much.
Patricia’s Next Move
The experience had been a dream come true for Patricia. It was something she had dreamed about since she was a little girl. She had finally met her mother and now she found that her sister is not only a pop culture icon, but she had gained her trust.
The celebrity was clearly impressed with her sister. Whether it was what she did or didn’t do that gained affection from Oprah, Patricia had won Oprah’s affection. Patricia didn’t even think anything of it. She just felt that she was doing the right thing. What was that?
Loyalty
Something that Oprah was extremely impressed with was with how her sister handled the story. She proved loyal to Oprah by not selling the story to the press; something few people would do. “There have been a few times I’ve been anywhere and I haven’t been sold out,” Winfrey stated.
She went on to say “There have been few times where you can bring anyone new into your life and not have that person in some way betray you or use you or take advantage of you.” Despite all the excitement, there were still many questions that needed answered.
Why So Many Lies?
The sisters remained confused by their mother’s actions. Vernita kept the adoption and Patricia a secret when she made the choice in 1963. She never told a soul and kept the secret for her entire life. Her children never knew that they had a half-sister.
She continued to deny the facts even when the evidence was in front of her. Why? What was her reasoning when she ignored Patricia’s requests to talk? And when Oprah initially asked her about it why did she continue to deny it? The shocking answers were about to be revealed.
“A Terrible Thing”
Vernita Lee answered those questions in a taped interview. She said, “I thought it was a terrible thing that I had done.” She went on to reiterate that at the time she couldn’t take care of an additional child and get off welfare if she had kept Patricia.
However, she added, “I did think about the baby. I went back looking for her and they told me she had left.” It was after that statement that she admitted something that would forever touch Patricia Lofton’s heart. It was something she had never heard before.
Cute Little Girl
What Vernita Lee said next in the interview brought Patricia to tears. She called her a “cute little girl.” It was a compliment that Patricia wasn’t accustomed to hearing before and it was especially an emotional statement coming from her biological mother.
Holding back her tears, Patricia said, “I am just trying to take it all in right now, because I never heard that I was a pretty baby.” That wasn’t the end of it. She received something she had been awaiting her whole life.
Benefits of Being Oprah’s Sister
Three years after being introduced as Oprah’s half-sister to the world via her talk show, Patricia’s life was about to change again, drastically. Yes, finding her biological family was quite a change but something bigger was coming.
Oprah Winfrey bought her recently discovered sister a half a million dollar home in Wisconsin in 2014. She didn’t stop there. She also started giving her sister a monthly allowance so she could follow her dream of becoming a social working and go back to college.
An Exceptional Guest
Soon Patricia was studying at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and was more than grateful to her sister for helping her to achieve the life she had always dreamed of having. But this wasn’t the last of Oprah’s surprises.
The day of Patricia Lofton’s college graduation, another emotional surprise was in store. She had finally reached her goal and graduating college at the age of 53. That’s when she spotted her sister in the crowd, cheering her on and tweeting about the event. While they were able to share good times with each other, they also had one another for the trying times, as you’ll see next.
Vernita Passes Away
Sadly, the key to Oprah Winfrey and Patricia Lofton solving the family mystery, their mother, Vernita Lee, passed away. It was Thanksgiving Day, 2018 at the age of 83 when she passed in her Milwaukee house. Winfrey paid tribute to their mother in true Oprah style accompanied with a picture of family member surrounding Vernita.
Oprah Later posted on Instagram “Thank you all for your kind words and condolences regarding my mother Vernita Lee’s passing. It gives our family great comfort knowing she lived a good life and is now at Peace.” The day was filled with ups and downs as Winfrey hosted her large dinner party at her home that very day.
These Friends' Lives Changed Forever After 17 Years
Being best friends with someone who had been there for you from childhood and into adulthood is a wonderful feeling that should never be taken for granted. Not many people are fortunate enough to have such a special and long-lasting relationship, one that is based on mutual trust and a bond that simply cannot be explained.
When a friendship spans almost two decades, it’s easy to feel like family members instead of friends. For these two women, this feeling turned into a reality in the most unexpected way.
There For Each Other Through Thick and Thin
Having a best friend in life is a truly special relationship that can rarely be broken. It is built on trust and a very deep connection. Best friends can call each other at 3 a.m. if in trouble, help each other through break-ups and family disputes, and be there to laugh and joke with.
Friends of this caliber are precious and it is never to be taken for granted. Most times, best friends can finish each other’s sentences and would take a bullet for each other. Ashley and Latoya felt extremely lucky to have such a strong relationship and they relied on each other through various ups and downs throughout their lives.
Friends From an Early Age
Ashley Thomas and Latoya Wimberley have been fortunate enough to be best friends for 17 years and their bond is unbreakable, now more than ever. When they were just young kids, they forged an unbreakable link and as they grew, their friendship never wavered. Even from afar, it’s obvious that they have so much in common. From the minute they met, they clicked. The instant connection steadily grew into a solid relationship of fun, trust, loyalty, and security.
They have always looked at one another as a soul sister, knowing that they can rely on one another during the hard times, support and motivate each other, and lean on whenever necessary. Both women have been through some tough times and they are grateful to have the support of one another whenever needed.
These Two Friends Had so Many Similarities
The two friends have so much in common, and that began right from the start. Whether it was realizing they both loved the same song that was playing on the radio or falling in love with the same outfit at the mall, these friends rarely disagreed on anything.
Without forcing it, Ashley and Latoya just happened to share many of the same interests. People would regularly comment on how similar they were, in mannerisms, traits, and even when it came to their appearance. When they were young, Ashley and Latoya both had gaps in their front teeth. As they grew, both girls formed high, defined cheekbones and their complexions were eerily similar. They would laugh and joke about how much they looked alike but never questioned it.
Their Closeness Only Increased as the Years Passed
The two girls were born and raised in Philadelphia and have been inseparable from an early age. No one ever questioned the growing number of similarities that Ashley and Latoya shared but the girls would regularly hear comments from friends, family, and strangers about their close bond. On many occasions, they would turn up to a party wearing matching outfits.
With each comment they'd receive about their likeness, they would laugh and smile, saying that they were soul sisters. They felt incredibly fortunate to have each other in their lives and felt grateful to have met each other when they did.
The Party That Changed Everything
Their friendship began in 2004 when they met at a mutual friend’s birthday party in Philadelphia. Ashley is now 31 and Latoya is 29, but both ladies vividly remember there being an instant connection when they first started chatting with each other all those years ago.
As the music played, the girls talked non-stop, and by the end of the party, 14-year-old Ashley and 12-year-old Latoya had swapped numbers. Their friendship was sealed after just a few short hours together. Little did they know how long it would last and how it would develop into so much more. For now, they were blissfully unaware of the remarkable twist that was coming their way.
Their Story Was About to Face Its Toughest Challenge
As they both lived so close to each other, they would see each other most days. If they didn’t meet in person on any particular day, there would be a phone call. They would spend hours chatting about music, boys, the latest gossip from school, and plans for the coming weekend.
For the past 17 years, the ladies have described themselves as being “stuck to each other like glue”. On many occasions, they would refer to each other as sisters. Little did they know how their incredible story was going to unfold.
Latoya Was About to Receive the Biggest Shock of Her Life
Throughout the years, Ashley and Latoya continued to exhibit their striking similarities. At one point, they even dated brothers at the same time. They would smile at the comments from those around them about their sisterly bond and behavior.
The two felt incredibly lucky to have such a strong friendship, and they relied on each other during the bad times and celebrated during the good times. One particularly happy event led to the amazing discovery that would change their lives forever.
A Surprise Proposal and the Party That Would Test a Friendship
Latoya’s long-term boyfriend got down on one knee at the end of 2019 and proposed to her, and she was over the moon and said, “yes” to the love of her life. Latoya later called her best friend and shared the fantastic news with her, and Ashley shared in her happiness. There was much celebrating to do and Latoya excitedly started to plan the engagement party.
The date was set for January 2020 and friends and family from far and wide were invited. The evening was one of the best times of Latoya’s life as she spent the night celebrating with her nearest and dearest. The alcohol flowed and the music played into the early hours of the morning.
Everything Changed as Soon as Photos Were Shared
As with most occasions these days, photos of the engagement party were uploaded onto social media within hours. Ashley selected the best ones she had taken on her phone and put them up onto Facebook the next day. She had taken a variety of shots, including several ones of Latoya’s family.
There were photos of cousins, aunts, uncles, and Latoya’s father, Kenneth. Everyone was smiling and dancing in the photos and Ashley was delighted to have captured so many wonderful moments during the engagement party. She was so happy for her best friend, but she had no idea that one of the photos was going to change life as she knew it.
Why Did Latoya's Father Look So Familiar?
Ashley received loads of likes and comments about the selection of photos she had uploaded. Everyone had a wonderful time at the engagement party and it was fantastic for those who had been unable to attend to see some of the fun times from the celebration. One of the photos caught the eye of Ashley’s mother’s best friend and she studied it thoroughly.
As she examined the photo closely, she realized that she knew one of the people in i - it was Kenneth, Latoya’s father. She knew this man but she was struggling to remember exactly when and where they had met. She wracked her brain trying to work out why he looked so familiar.
The Pieces Started Falling Into Place
She looked at the tagged names on the photo and saw the name, Kenny Wimberly. Everything suddenly slotted into place and memories started flooding back. Nearly thirty years ago, she had been in the same circle of friends as Kenny and Ashley’s mom.
The three of them had all hung out and attended parties together, just as Latoya and Ashley were doing a generation later. It brought a wonderful smile to her face, along with a tinge of sadness, as Ashley’s mom had died over a decade ago.
Latoya Started to Play Detective
The lady immediately contacted Ashley to say that she didn’t know Ashley knew Kenny Wimberley. She went on to tell Ashley that, “she and Ashley’s mom used to hang around him back when they were young.” While Ashley found this connection to be very sweet, the more she discussed it with Latoya, the more questions Latoya had.
Something in this scenario wasn’t adding up, and she was determined to get to the bottom of the nagging feeling she had in her gut. Latoya hatched a plan and delicately set to work.
Treasured Photo Helped Kenneth Make a Discovery
Latoya wanted to ask her father if he remembered the two women, one of whom was Ashley’s mom, so she asked Ashley to find a photo of them. Ashley went through some old photos of her mom that she kept in a box of treasured possessions. Ashley has two young children and it was important to her for them to know who their grandmother was. Ashley had many photos in a box for safekeeping to show her kids when they were older.
She found a photo of her mom with her best friend and took it over to Latoya’s house. Latoya showed the photo to her father, telling him that the lady had recognized him on Facebook. Kenneth studied the photo intensely and gasped.
Kenneth Recognizes the Ladies in the Photo
Sure enough, he knew the two ladies instantly, despite the passing of time. He smiled as he reminisced about his younger days and how time had flown by but the memories were still as strong. How wonderful that Latoya’s engagement party had brought about a fantastic trip down memory lane from almost three decades ago.
Kenneth told Latoya about his teenage years and about the friendships he had shared with the two ladies. He laughed as he recalled some of the bad fashion choices he had made and spoke of the good music they would listen to. If he heard some of those songs on the radio now, he would immediately be transported back to those magical times.
Were They More Than Friends?
Latoya loved listening to her father speak about his younger days, but something was niggling away in her head and she needed to work on a very important missing piece to this puzzle. She knew that she would have to be extremely sensitive as she delved deeper into Kenneth's past.
Waiting for the right moment, Latoya asked her best friend a question that she’d never asked before. She knew that Ashley had been through so much in her life and didn’t want to cause her any undue upset.
Ashley's Painful Past
Latoya asked Ashley if she knew who her biological father was. They had not discussed this very personal subject in depth before, as Latoya knew it was a painful topic for her dear friend.
Ashley’s heart sank a little bit as she answered her friend’s searching question. For a long time, she had believed that the man she called her father was her biological father. Sadly that wasn’t true and Ashley was left with a huge unanswered question in her life. She had no idea who her real father was and it tore her up. She rarely spoke about it, as it was too painful.
The Pieces of the Puzzle Started to Fit Together
As Ashley and Latoya continued to discuss the upsetting topic, Latoya mentioned the connection that existed between her father and Ashley’s mother. Ashley was flabbergasted that she was only finding out about this in light of Latoya’s engagement party. The best friends locked eyes and knew what they needed to do next.
They asked Kenneth to come over and they sat him down. They were about to ask him a question that was to have life-changing repercussions. Latoya asked her father if he’d ever dated Ashley’s mom. The tension in the air was palpable.
Kenneth's Revelation Takes Ashley's Breath Away
Kenneth had been a bit of a ladies' man in his youth and even though he’d never seriously dated Ashley’s mom, he recalled that they’d had a brief fling many years ago. It hadn’t lasted long but they had been close for a short time.
As the seeds were being sown, Kenneth turned to Ashley and asked her questions about her biological father. Up until this moment, he’d never asked such a personal question but as the connections were being made, it was a question he felt he could now ask. Ashley had always been a huge part of his life and she had always referred to him as “Big Kenny”. She took a deep breath and told him her sad tale.
Ashley Found Out She'd Been Lied to for Her Entire Life
Just a year after Ashley had met Latoya, her entire world was rocked to its foundations. She found out that the man who’d raised her from birth was not her biological father. She was absolutely devastated by the news and she found it hard to process what her now-departed mother was telling her.
Everything she had ever believed was a lie and she didn’t know who she could trust anymore. It was too much for her to take, and as a teenager, she found it very difficult to cope with this information. So many years of believing a lie left her feeling alone and unable to handle the situation. She relied heavily on Latoya during those tough years but had kept large parts of the story from her best friend. But worse was to come for Ashley.
Tragedy Strikes and Ashley Loses All Hope of Finding Out the Truth
Five years later, Ashley’s mom tragically died. She was buried along with the secret about Ashley’s real father. It had caused a rift in their relationship and the youngster was devastated when she lost her mother and any chance of finding out who her father was.
As her mother’s coffin was lowered into the grave, Ashley gave up all hope of ever knowing the truth. She went on to focus on her own children and provide for them as best she could. She had reluctantly accepted the fact that she would never solve the mystery.
The Welcoming Arms of Latoya's Family Brought Much Needed Comfort
As the years passed, Ashley and Latoya’s friendship grew stronger and stronger. Their families had never met, but that didn’t matter to the girls. In a natural and organic way, Kenneth had become a mentor and father-like presence in Ashley’s life. She felt very fortunate to be able to have both Latoya and “Big Kenny” in her life.
The Wimberly family had welcomed Ashley with open arms and whenever there was a party or family gathering, Ashley was automatically on the invitation list. From the moment the girls became best friends, Ashley was considered to be part of the Wimberly family.
"Big Kenny" Provides Fatherly Support
Ashley loved the close connection she had with all of Latoya’s family. She had felt extremely lost over the years, especially during the revelation about the man who’d raised her for fifteen years, and then the passing of her mother. She’d depended on Latoya for help and support during those difficult years, and Big Kenny had always been supportive too.
“If my father is taking me out, Ashley’s coming with me,” Latoya told a national news station. “If someone asks who are those girls, he says ‘Those are my girls.’ If she has a car problem or any kind of issue, she always goes to my dad.”
The Trio Make a Life-Changing Decision
As the three of them sat around the kitchen table discussing all the new developments and possible connections, they made a life-changing decision. They all agreed that they needed an answer to the missing puzzle piece in Ashley’s life and the only way to solve the mystery was to do a DNA test. They agreed to split the cost of the test.
Kenneth, who is 48-years old, explained that Latoya "told me she and Ashley would pay some and I would pay $100." Wimberly went on to say that it was, "the best $100 I ever spent."
The DNA Test Was Sent Away
Having worked out the approximate time that Kenneth had had a brief relationship with Ashley’s mother, it made sense to them that the DNA test would be the best way to ascertain the answer once and for all.
If what they were thinking was true, then the DNA test would provide irrefutable proof about who Ashley’s father was. The package arrived and both Kenneth and Ashley provided swab samples. They sealed the samples up and posted the box back for testing, then sat back and waited for the results. The wait was agonizing for the trio.
Tension Is High as Latoya Opens The Results
Each day, Latoya would check her mailbox for the results and after an excruciatingly long week, she found the envelope staring back at her. She called her best friend and her father and they all met up at her house. As Latoya opened the results, all three of them took a collective deep breath.
Latoya carefully studied the piece of paper and read the results out loud. The DNA test showed conclusively and irrefutably that Kenneth was Ashley’s father. The girls jumped up and squealed with delight. They nervously looked to Kenneth to see his reaction.
The DNA Proof Is There in Black and White
Ashley and Latoya were over the moon to find out that they were not just soul sisters, but actual sisters. It was an incredible feeling, but they waited nervously to hear what Kenneth thought. Much to their relief, a broad grin appeared on his face, and in a moment that made them all cry, he hugged both of his daughters tightly. Ashley stared at the results and her mind raced with hundreds of questions. She didn’t understand why her mother had lied to her for so many years.
She had struggled for so many years after finding out that her father wasn’t actually her father when she was only 15. Ashley had so many unanswered questions but she knows that she will just have to accept that her mother obviously had a valid reason for not telling her about Big Kenny, or perhaps she didn’t know herself. It breaks her heart that she won’t be able to discuss any of this with her mother. Recalling the moment when Latoya read out the DNA results, Ashley said, "chills went through my body. I couldn't think. I couldn't process it.”
Their Lives Will Never Be the Same Again
After the initial excitement and celebration, there is a lot of adjusting and processing to do. Ashley has described the discovery as both “beautiful” and “extremely emotional”. She is thrilled that Big Kenny is her father but she has to handle several delicate situations now. The biggest one is explaining to her two small children that they now have a grandfather. "It's just a weird feeling," said Ashley. "It's definitely going to take some time. I'm still in disbelief. But I want him to be a part of his grandchildren's lives."
Kenneth is also a bit overwhelmed, saying, "I've always seen the little ones around and this entire time they were my grandchildren and I didn't even know." Her children have been close friends with Latoya’s young son, but now these toddlers have changed from being best friends to being cousins and that’s going to take a lot of explaining.
Now the Journey Begins for These Incredible Sisters
Latoya is helping her best friend and sister through this process but she feels sorry that Ashley has missed out on so much. So many wasted years without a father in her life, when he was standing right there in Latoya’s house most of the time. All those times that Ashley would go to Big Kenny for help and advice, she was actually talking to her very own father without either of them knowing. It’s a shame that it took so long for the truth to come out but the three of them are taking full advantage of the great news.
While there is still a lot of processing and adjusting to do, the two sisters are taking things one step at a time and Kenneth is delighted that his family circle now includes another daughter and two beautiful grandchildren. Ashley is overjoyed that the man who has helped her so much in the past and shown her so much love and friendship was her real father all along. Their already strong bond will now go from strength to strength as father and daughter.