Obituary: Luanna W. Houghton - Luanna W. Houghton, wife of Homer N. Houghton of Strange Creek, Braxton County, was born October 1, 1875 and departed this life February 19, 1938; age 62 years, four months and 18 days. She is survived by her husband and 10 children (eight boys and two girls); one brother, five sisters, and a host of relatives. She had been a member of the M.E. church since early in life and remained faithful to the end. Interment was made in the Walnut Grove Cemetery with the Rev. C.P. Conley officiating.

From Lynn Dawson's blog - May 2013. (http://theflyinggenealogist.blogspot.com):

My great grandmother, Luanna W. Henderson, was born in 1875 in Strange Creek, West Virginia. "Lewie" married my great grandfather, Homer Newton Houghton, at the age of 18 and lived her life on a picturesque if remote farm caring for her 12 children. Despite a trail of documents giving her middle initial as W, I've never learned what it stood for.

Below are six sources (between 1880 and 1938) that use "W" as a middle initial. The only other initial used is H - for her maiden name Henderson (e.g. on her tombstone: Lewie H. Houghton).

1.) 1880 Census - Luanna W. age 4, this census is very difficult to read (ancestry.com). Appears to use "W." as a middle initial. Also appears to have another letter at the end of Luanna.
2. ) West Virginia reindex of the Marriage Register (typed) uses W. as a middle initial. (http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx) 1893
3.) Daughter Vada Houghton's Tombstone: Vada Daughter of HN and LW Houghton. 1919
4.) Husband Homer Houghton's WWI Draft Registration: "Lewie W." 1918 (below)
5.) Son Murrill Houghton's Tombstone: Murrill son of HN and LW Houghton. 1934
6.) Obituary: Luanna W. Houghton, 1938

Is it a family name? Luanna has a brother and uncle that use the name Walker as a given name. I have not found this family name anywhere in the tree which only goes back to the 1700s.