Sometimes, when a loved one dies, the grief can be overwhelming. But, for one family, their grandmother’s favorite pastime helped heal the family, and send their grandma viral.
When Sharon Tidwell’s family gathered to sort through her belongings after her passing, they weren’t prepared for the whirlwind of memories — and unexpected fame — that awaited them. Tidwell, an 80-year-old Arkansas native, had spent decades amassing an impressive collection of salt and pepper shakers.
What started as a family heirloom gift grew into over 1,150 unique sets, a testament to her love for life’s small joys. Little did her family know, these quirky trinkets would spark a viral sensation and warm hearts across the globe. Tidwell began her collection in 1990 after her mother passed down a cherished pair of shakers.
Rachel Whitten and her sister with their grandparents and their salt and pepper shaker collection. Photo courtesy of Whitten
“Her mother gave her some family heirloom salt and pepper shakers, and from there, she caught the ‘collection bug,'” Rachel Whitten, Tidwell’s granddaughter, explained. For years, Tidwell scoured flea markets, yard sales, and received countless sets from loved ones, filling her custom-built dining room shelves with everything from vintage floral designs to pop culture-themed shakers.
For Whitten and her sister, Sarah Cole, these shakers weren’t just decorations — they were pieces of their childhood. Sundays after church were spent at Grandma’s house, where the sisters would sit at the kitchen table, admiring the shakers and listening to Tidwell recount the stories behind each set. Whitten fondly recalls how the collection served as a nostalgic punishment, too.
If you got in trouble, you’d be put to work cleaning them. We accidentally broke a set of teepees once and had to glue them back together!”
After Tidwell’s passing, the family rediscovered the collection, which had been boxed up and stored in a shed for over a decade. Though some pieces had been lost to time, they uncovered 1,154 intact sets. Among the treasures were a Wizard of Oz set, a vintage hanging strawberry pair valued at up to $200, and her grandmother’s favorite — a set carved from deer antlers by her father. “She used to say they were her favorite, and my entire family agrees,” Whitten said.
Rachel Whitten’s grandma’s salt and pepper shaker collection. Photo courtesy of Whitten
Recently, Whitten decided to share a glimpse of her grandmother’s legacy on TikTok. What started as a simple video quickly went viral, garnering more than 7.5 million views and sparking a wave of heartfelt comments. “Hearing the stories people told me about their grandparents collecting or how they’ve recently started collecting was, in a way, telling me that Grandma is still with me,” Whitten said. Though the internet can be divisive, Whitten said the feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive,” with viewers touched by the family’s sentimental journey.
The collection has also inspired acts of kindness. Whitten plans to gift a moving and oinking pig-shaped set to a woman who lost hers in a fire. “It feels good to pass that joy along,” she said. While the family will keep many sets, others will be donated or sold to ensure they’re cherished by fellow enthusiasts.
For Whitten, the shakers are more than heirlooms — they’re a reminder of her grandmother’s love. “Seeing her collection and taking pieces with me makes me feel like I always have her in my home and with my family,” she said.
@rachelwhitten1 It’s nice to have something tangible to hold on to. #grandma #collection #saltandpeppershakers ♬ Flowers – SoundAudio
