Kim Audette

Matilda McCracken born 1852, died 1943. Matilda was the 7th child. Her father, Joseph McCracken II moved his family (Matilda was 7 years old) from North Carolina to Texas in 1859 to avoid the Civil War. The Texan cattle ranching family grew to 11 children. Matilda married Tom Loring in 1871. The McCrackens and Lorings joined their herds together and moved to Chloride, New Mexico in 1872. Both Tom and Matilda were excellent at trading and bartering. It was said of 'Tildy that "When the wolf comes knocking at the door, 'Tildy comes back with a fur coat." They were rarely troubled with violence from the local Apaches, as the trades were always fair. The Lorings and McCrackens raised horses as well as cattle and sent the horses back to the relatives in North Carolina every few years with the young men of the family in great adventurous drives.

Bertha Loring born 1892, died 1981. Bertha was the 8th child. She often stayed with relatives while her parents were travelling, to go to school. She married Clint Morris in 1910. Bertha broke her leg while rescuing her youngest son from a runaway wagon. Clint couldn't find the two of them until long after dark. They took the rest of the night to get to the doctor. The leg didn't heal right, so Bertha spent her remaining years sewing, a skill that had always done her well. She was nicknamed "Birdie" for her love of birds.

Pearl Morris born 3/1912. Pearl was the 2nd of 5 children. She married C.L. Snipes in 1928, while still in high school. He was the bus driver. They were married along with two other couples in a triple wedding ceremony that all 6 celebrated together for many decades of anniversaries. Pearl and C.L. lived with his family until they graduated from school and got on their feet. Pearl is an accomplished seamstress in her own right, with many awards to her credit. Pearl became a Natural Nutritionist and uses the traditions passed on to her by her grandfather, Tom Loring. She is a member of the International Women's Club, the Sierra County Garden Club, and Retired Seniors Volunteer Program. She lives across town from her daughter.

Anita Snipes, born 1929, was the oldest of 2 children. She was a mathematician for Los Alamos until she married and had 3 children. After divorcing and moving to Alaska, she became a teacher. When she retired from teaching in the '70's, she went into interior design, creating theme rooms for hotels and motels. She also wrote a childrens book. Anita obtained a Masters in Theology, studied Chinese herbology, and earned an Aurasoma level 3 certificate. She currently lives next door to her daughter in Truth or Consequences, NM.

Kim Audette, born 1966, is the middle of three children, and the only daughter of the only daughter. Raised in Alaska, Kim took a double degree in the sciences, Microbiology with a Zoology minor and Biochemistry with a Nutrition minor. After helping thousands of exotic bird owners to breed their birds in captivity, Kim moved to T or C. She took over the historic Cherokee Apartments and began Wellness, Ltd, selling environmentally friendly and non-toxic products involving tea tree oil.