Being a foster care kid is tough — for all too many, it can mean a group home — but Richmond grandmother Faith Spencer decided it shouldn’t have been quite so tough for her grandson Adame.
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Faith and Kirk Spencer (left) adopted grandson Adame last year; they're celebrating a kinship care placement with UMFS adoption specialist Kerry Graeber and Adame's dad.
A lot of of people pitched in to make Adame Spencer's kinship care placement happen.
From the Archives: 100 photos of damage from Hurricane Camille, the worst natural disaster in Va. history
Albemarle County
Otis Haney, left, and Sally Payne watch buildings washing away where the Rockfish River joins the James River in Howardsville, VA at 4pm on August 20, 1969, just hours after Hurricane Camille dumped over two feet of rain upstream on Nelson County, killing 124 people and causing massive destruction.
Albemarle County
Howardsville after Hurricane Camille.
Amherst County
Aug. 21, 1969 Original text from Amherst New Era Progress Mountain Landslide — Tons of earth and trees from mountain behind W.O. Tucker's Store on ... heavily damaged early Wednesday morning. This photo shows debris and car and truck washed ...
Amherst County
The bridge over the Buffalo River at Virginia 778, north of U.S. 60, washed out in the flooding.
Amherst County
Aug. 21, 1969 Original text from Amherst New Era Progress Route 778 Washed Away — Spectators were amazed to find a block-long section of Route 778 torn ... south of Henley's Store. The store building was demolished by raging waters.
Buena Vista
Kerry Flint, an employee of Foodette Market in Buena Vista, VA , cleans out debris August 24, 1969, from flooding caused by the Maury Rive in the aftermath of Hurricane Camille, which caused 153 deaths statewide, but none in this small city at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. (1969 photo by Bob Brown).
Buena Vista
Raging river tosses cars about in Buena Vista.
Buena Vista
Members of the Buena Vista Rescue Squad worked to get a boat to those who needed rescue from the flood waters.
Camile
People guide a horse through flood waters following Hurricane Camille.
Camille
Sept. 28 1969 One of many mudslides in evidence throughout the area.
Camille
A man shovels mud from a building after Hurricane Camille's flood waters subsided.
Camille
Men work to rebuild a building damaged during Hurricane Camille.
Camille
Horror still fresh for some as rescuers seek missing.
Camille
Flood waters infiltrate a business in the aftermath of Hurricane Camille.
Camille
Crews work to remove debris after floodwaters receded.
Camille
Mud surrounds homes after Hurricane Camille caused widespread flooding.
Camille
The river cut new channels at the Amherst/Nelson county border.
Camille Satellite
NASA ATS-3 satellite image of Hurricane Camille in the Gulf of Mexico on Aug. 16, 1969.
Lynchburg
1969 Flooding during Hurricane Camille at Adams Street along the Lynchburg riverfront.
Lynchburg
1969. A Marine helicopter lands outside Lynchburg General Hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Camille.
Lynchburg
Eddie Ruble guides truck through flood waters at the six mile bridge near the B&W plant.
Nelson County
8/11/2016: A vehicle caught up in the devastation of the Davis Creek area of Nelson County in the aftermath of Hurricane Camille's devastation in the summer of 1969. Submitted Peyton Riley Dolan.
Nelson County
The house that belonged to Bland Harvey, in Roseland, was lifted off of it's foundation and landed on it's side by the flood waters of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
The devastation near Woods Mill along U.S. 29 where the Rockfish River crosses U.S. 29 and Va.
Nelson County
A photo taken over the foothills of Wood's Mountain near Roseland, VA in 1969 show mudslides and flash flooding caused by Hurricane Camille. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Camille, which caused massive flooding devastation and loss of life.
Nelson County
Gov. Mills Godwin, right, consoles Mrs. Henry Hudson as Rev. Vernon T. Lewis, a Nelson County pastor, center, looks on Sept 22, 1969, following a memorial service honoring those lost in the devastation. Mrs. Hudson's husband was among the 124 people killed in the flooding caused by Hurricane Camille a month before.
Nelson County
A warehouse for apples was one of the buildings demolished in Massies Mill, VA in August of 1969 caused by the flooding of Hurricane Camille. Carl Raines Sr. managed Miller Chemical Company, which sold spraying equipment and other supplies to local orchards. Raines and four family members were killed in the flooding.
Nelson County
Nelson County Sheriff Bill Whitehead comforts Brenda Zirkle, whose parents and brother were among the 124 people killed in the flooding of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
A U.S. Marines helicopter waits in August of 1969 near Rockfish, VA as a group, left, brings up one of the 124 people killed in the flooding of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Davis Creek residents and volunteers began clearing trails back to their homes in Nelson County, VA several days after Hurricane Camille caused massivie flooding, destruction and loss of 124 lives in August of 1969. A home lies crumpled in the background.
Nelson County
A house rests on its side on Rt. 655 at Roseland, VA after being pushed off the foundation by floodwaters from Hurricane Camille in August of 1969. The Tye River is in the background.
Nelson County
Cars were buried in mud near Rt. 151 in the aftermath of flooding from Hurricane Camille in Nelson County, VA in August of 1969.
Nelson County
Austin Fitzgerald's store in Tyro, VA. was surrounded by floodwaters from Hurricane Camille in August of 1969. In 1969 it was not yet called the Mountain View Tea Room.
Nelson County
Austin Fitzgerald's store in Tyro, VA. was surrounded by floodwaters from Hurricane Camille in August of 1969. In 1969 it was not yet called the Mountain View Tea Room.
Nelson County
The entire side was torn off this house in Nelson County, VA during flooding caused by Hurricane Camille in August of 1969. (The car was not there during the flooding)
Nelson County
The Rt 639 bridge over the Rockfish River in Nelson County, VA, washed out due to flooding caused by Hurricane Camille in August of 1969.
Nelson County
Debris is lifted from a creek bed as scars on the mountain are visible in the background where mudslides came off the high ground, pushing trees, rocks and houses in front during the flooding caused by Hurricane Camille in Nelson County, VA in August of 1969.
Nelson County
Logs and boulders litter an area after narrowly missing a house, left, when mudslides triggered by Hurricane Camille devastated Nelson County, VA in August of 1969.
Nelson County
Helicopters lined up on Hwy 29 in Lovingston, VA during search and rescue operations following Hurricane Camille in August of 1969.
Nelson County
Workmen and volunteers search through debris for bodies August 25, 1969 in the Woods Mill area of Nelson County, VA where 124 people killed in the flooding of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Flooding and mudslides created by Hurricane Camille in August of 1969, deposited debris and a house across Rt. 29 near Lovingston, VA.
Nelson County
This car ended up in the Tye River, at Massies Mill, VA during flooding caused by Hurricane Camille in August of 1969. The Rt. 56 bridge is in the background and water went over the top of that.
Nelson County
A house sits atop a logjam in the middle of U. S. 29 several miles north of Lovingston, VA, caused by flooding from Hurricane Camill in August of 1969.
Nelson County
The bridge on Rt. 56 at Massies Mill, VA that crosses the Tye River was covered with debris (a bulldozer had cleared a path in the middle) a few days after Hurricane Camille caused massive flooding and mudslides in the area. Carl Raines Sr. managed Miller Chemical Company, which sold spraying equipment and other supplies to local orchards was housed in the ruined building. Raines and four family members were killed in the flooding. Warren Raines, one of the family's survivors, stood on this bridge in 2019 and talked about the night of August 19-20, 1969 when his parents, two sisters and a brother were among the 124 people killed in the flooding of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Damage caused by the Rockfish River at the Rt. 639 bridge in Nelson County, VA where 124 people killed in the flooding of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
The Rt 639 bridge over the Rockfish River that was washed out in August of 1969 by the flooding caused by Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Mudslides fill a valley in Nelson County, VA after Hurricane Camille dumped over two feet of rain overnight August 19-20, 1969, causing massive flooding, landslides and loss of 124 lives.
Nelson County
Grace Episcopal Church in Massies Mill, VA after Hurricane Camille in August of 1969.
Nelson County
Mrs. Leonard Miller, nurse, right, gives a typhoid shot to Mrs. Thomas Strickland, left , as others line up in Massies Mill, VA several days after 124 people killed in the flooding of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Floodwaters from Hurricane Camille lifted this house off the foundation and dropped it on a car in Massies Mill, VA in August of 1969. In Nelson County, 124 people killed in the flooding of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
The Raines family home, center, sits surrounded by mudslides in Massies Mill, VA in August of 1969. Warren Raines and his family left the night of August 19-20, 1969 during massive flooding and rain caused by Hurricane Camille to get to higher ground. His parents, two sisters and a brother were among the 124 people killed in the flooding of Hurricane Camille. Had they stayed in the second floor of the house, they would have all survived.
Nelson County
Salvation Army workers give out food at Massies Mill, VA as a Marine helicopter brings in doctors and medical supplies several days after 124 people killed in Nelson County by the flooding of Hurricane Camille in August of 1969.
Nelson County
The trailer part of an 18-wheeler was discovered under a layer of silt near Woods Mill, VA by workmen and volunteers in the aftermath of the flooding caused by Hurricane Camille in August of 1969.
Nelson County
US 29 at Woods Mill, VA in August of 1969 after Hurricane Camille. J.E. Wood's home, general store, service station and outbuildings were destroyed. They had been on the right side of the photo.
Nelson County
The Rt. 639 bridge over the Rockfish River was in ruins after flooding from Hurricane Camille in August of 1969.
Nelson County
A view of one of the many landslides caused by Hurricane Camille in Nelson County, VA in August of 1969. This one is in the Davis Creek area where many lives were lost.
Nelson County
Damage on U.S. 29 from Hurricane Camille in Nelson County.
Nelson County
Mennonites gather at the command post in Lovingston during the aftermath of the flood.
Nelson County
Looking north along U.S. 29 at Rucker's Run.
Nelson County
A cement mixer sits submerged in mud following the flooding from Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Buildings were damaged by flood waters and debris following Hurricane Camille's onslaught on Nelson County.
Nelson County
A vehicle in the water of Rucker's Run creek along U.S. 29. just south of Nelson County High School. The car contained four passengers. Three survived by swimming to safety. One, Cecil Graves, 30, of Danville, was killed.
Nelson County
A crane that toppled over during the construction of the replacement railroad bridge at Tye River Depot.
Nelson County
Construction of a new railroad bridge in the aftermath of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Mrs. James D. Higginbotham, of Tyro, points to the 31-inch mark on a yardstick to show the world-record rainfall that was measured in her trash barrel in the background during the disastrous passing of the remnants of Hurricane Camille on Aug. 20, 1969. It took over a year to locate the barrel after U.S. Weather Bureau officials were unable to pinpoint the site of owner as a result of confusion after the floods.
Nelson County
Mrs. Robert Loving, Nellysford area, was injured and arrives with husband and infant. Also lost two older children.
Nelson County
A porch roof was ripped form a building when flood waters swept through parts of Nelson County.
Nelson County
Sept. 28, 1969 Woods Mill Community in Nelson County shows effects of flood.
Nelson County
Items are gathered outside a store in the aftermath of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Mrs. Coffey is laid on a stretcher to be airlifted to the hospital after her home in Nash filled with water.
Nelson County
Camille flooding 1969 Joseph H. Campbell family leaves Massies Mill with all they could salvage. Home was damaged beyond repair.
Nelson County
Crews dig through debris left behind when Hurricane Camille came through Nelson County.
Nelson County
Aug. 21, 1969. Original text, Nelson County Times. At Lowesville — This photo shows how devastating flood waters ripped up Route 778 leading to ... from Piney River. House in background was ripped up from its foundation and the rear portion torn away by the raging waters. The home was owned by Leebrick family and was located about a city block from Lowesville post office in Nelson County.
Nelson County
Crews worked to repair the damage along Dillard Creek.
Nelson County
Sept. 28, 1969 Tye River seeks new course through center of Tyro.
Nelson County
The house that belonged to Bland Harvey, in Roseland, was lifted off of it's foundation and landed on it's side by the flood waters of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
A boy looks at the washed out bridge approaches at Virginia 56 at the Tye River near Roseland.
Nelson County
Xs mark the spots where three Davis Creek houses, owned by the Huffman families, that were swept away in the flooding from Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Debris piled up on U.S. 29 at Davis Creek from the flood waters from Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Davis Creek section where house once stood.
Nelson County
Davis Creek, Rt. 29
Nelson County
Sept. 28, 1969 Uprooted homes in Massies Mill left straddling route 56.
Nelson County
Sept. 28, 1969 Massies Mill rector stands forlornly inside church.
Nelson County
Rt. 56, just south of Massies Mill over Tye River.
Nelson County
Sept. 28, 1969 Massies Mill House is torn apart, but left as witness.
Nelson County
A Massies Mill home was damaged in the flood waters from the remnants of Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Sept. 28, 1969: Aerial view of flood waters which covered Piney River.
Nelson County
Sept. 28, 1969: Sections of Massies Mill Packing House left atop bridge
Nelson County
Jonas Kanagy of Augusta County was the coordinator of Mennonite Disaster Service in Virginia during 1969 when the group helped the residents of Nelson County rebuild and clean up after the devastation caused by Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Rescue mission planners look at maps of Nelson County, VA following massive flooding and destruction caused by Hurricane Camille in August of 1969. Helicopters were the only way to get to some of the remote areas.
Nelson County
A utility worker receives a typhoid shot as a precaution from a public health nurse along Route 56 in Wingina after Hurricane Camille.
Nelson County
Markers along Davis Creek at Woods Mill in Nelson County show the safest route across the receding waters for vehicles to travel across what was part of U.S. 29.
Nelson County
An overhead view of the command center set up along U.S. 29 in Lovingston.
Nelson County
A house was washed down from the mountain and into the median along U.S. 29 just north of Lovingston.
Nelson County
The view of Front Street in Lovingston after Hurricane Camille in August 1969.
Richmond
Floodwaters from Hurricane Camille reached the steps of Main Street Station. 1969 photo.
Richmond
This early August 1969 image shows the James River, roiled by recent rain, from the end of Seventh Street downtown. By that point of the year, Richmond had received nearly 40 inches of precipitation, which exceeded the total for all of the previous year. Hurricane Camille arrived later in August, and the city recorded more than 56 inches of precipitation for the year, a full foot above normal. James River currents were made turgid by Richmond's most recent rain. This was the view today from a catwalk at the end of Seventh Street. 37.73 inches of rain.
Richmond
In August 1969, William H. Morse removed damaged clothing from the Clarence Cosby Inc. scrap metal firm on East Cary Street in Richmond. Flooding related to Hurricane Camille a week earlier caused significant damage in Richmond and claimed more than 100 lives statewide.
Richmond
08-21-1969: Onlookers stood on Lee Bridge and observed James River which was flooded a few days after Hurricane Camille.
Richmond
A group of people gather on the banks of the raging James River in Richmond, VA in August of 1969 as floodwaters caused by Hurricane Camille miles upstream caused massive damage throughout the state.
Rockbridge County
Donated clothing and other items in Glasgow, VA , August of 1969 after flooding from Hurricane Camille.
Scottsville
Scottsville in wake of devastating storm.
Dave Ress (804) 649-6948
