July 29th, 30th and 31st, 2005 will stay in my memory as long as I live. I hope it will be one your treasured memories also. The reunion was suggested by two or three of the Morgan and Nannie's grandchildren when I went home when Etsye died in May, 2004. So plans were made to hold the reunion in London, Ky at the Levi Jackson Wilderness road state park. The format was expanded to include cousins on both sides of the family, in addition to the descendents of Morgan & Nannie. On Friday morning two fifteen passenger vans left the Sleep Inn in London to tour Mom's old home places in Jackson and Clay county. Jan and I acted as tour guides as we attempted to give a family history/geneaology lesson to three generations of Bowles and Ward offspring. We visited burial sites of numerous relatives and even found one live distant cousin, Daniel Sexton. Friday night after dinner, we all gathered at the campground in Levi Jackson park for a fireside visit while the youngsters roasted marshmallows. What a wonderful night. On Saturday morning we needed three vans to carry the load as we toured Laurel county to visit the several places mom and dad lived while we were growing up. We also passed where several of the grandchildren had either been born, or had lived as children. On Saturday night more than 100 (final count still pending) members of the Williams clan met at Levi Jackson State Park for a catered picnic and several hours of visiting with family, and of course many, many pictures were taken. The three day reunion ended with a bang. Sunday morning the family, with representatives from Morgan's family leading the way, was joined by members of the Jarvis Williams family, the Harve Williams family and the Sarah Elam family to attend morning worship services at St. John's Reform Church where dad had pastored for more than 25 years. The sermon was shared by three of Dad and Mom's Grandsons who were ordained ministers. After singing hymns written by Dad, the three grandsons gave a wonderful message. Following the services, the family travelled to Snuffer Cemetery where five generations of the Williams family is buried. There we had a brief memorial service and then left to return to our own hectic pace with what I hope will be treasured memories and a greater sense of family.
Date(s): August 1, 2005. Album by George Williams. 1 - 129 of 129 Total. 1087 Visits.
It was so nice to see all my relatives. What a wonderful experience! Thanks so much! - Diane Mulcahey, Sat, 13 Aug 2005 10:05PM
Moving and memorable! Who would ever have thought my daughter would be roasting marshmallows with her 4th and 5th cousins? - Beverly Leek, Wed, 10 Aug 2005 4:09PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you "Uncle George" and "Aunt Jan" for this Wonderful Williams Weekend! - Irma, Wed, 10 Aug 2005 5:36AM
What a treasure! You got such great shots. I'm writing my account of the weekend and I hope to share parts of it later. - Jan, Fri, 5 Aug 2005 5:14PM
1 The group gathers at Sleep Inn for the trip to Jackson county.
2 Bill Overbey, Richard & John Barnard
3 George Williams, Linda Jayne & Richard Barnard ready for the Friday tour. "I am not sure what I am do..." View Comments...
4 Tom Thiem with his daughter in the background.
5 Gathered at the Sleep Inn waiting for the vans.
6 Another group at the Sleep Inn
7 Jan acts as tour guide.
8 Taking a break on the tour.
9 First stop on Friday was Egypt Baptist Church in Jackson, where several ancestors are buried.
10 Sue Hamblin, LeeAnn Overbey, Bill Overbey and Susan Burgess
11 Becky Thiem, Jan Sparkman, Sue Hamblin & Tom Thiem at Wilson Cemetery.
12 There I go again, talking and waving my arms. "But it must be interesting..." View Comments...
13 Whitney & Carrie Thiem at Wilson cemetery.
14 Gravestone of J.R. "Bob" Bowles, my grandfather.
15 Susan Burgess at the grave of her great grandfather Bowles.
17 Susan Burgess feeling, in order to read the inscription on her great great grandfather's grave stone.
18 The group at Wilson Cemetery in Jackson county where Mom's father and grandfather are buried.
19 Still at Wilson Cemetery
20
21
22
23
24
25 Harold Hamblin, Tim Sparkman and Tom Divine at Wilson cemetery.
26 This old cabin on Sexton Creek in Jackson county was found within the walls of Aunt Susanne Pennington home when it was torn down. Restored by her great grandson Daniel Sexton.
27 This is the original John L. & Suzanne Pennington house. It is the where the cabin was discovered in it's walls during demolition. "This one has nothing to do..." View Comments...
28 Daniel Sexton, a great grandson of Aunt Suzanne lives on the property now. The house sets approximately where the old one did. "Daniel was nice enough to ..." "If you want a birdseye vie..." View Comments...
29 Larry Cloyd takes a look inside the cabin.
30 Bill Overbey & Susan Burgess inside the cabin.
31 The "Chat & Chew" restaurant at Bond, Ky. The group had an impromptu lunch there on Friday.
32 Lois & Larry waiting for the food to get there.
33 Mona & Bob Rash, Zula & John with Richard Barnard at the end of the table. Checking out the menu.
34 Around the table: Bob Rash, Zula & John Barnard, Richard Barnard, Jan Sparkman, Tim Sparkman and Harold Hamblin with his back to camera.
35 Tom Thiem and daughters, Whitney & Carrie, Susan Burgess. Larry and Lois in the foreground.
36 Aaron Rose, great grandson of Bob Bowles came from Chicago to meet all of his "new" cousins.
37 Sisters Becky Thiem and Susan Burgess share dessert at the Chat & Chew. Becky's daughters, Whitney and Carrie in background.
38
39
40 Relaxing at the campground at Levi Jackson Park Friday night.
41 The younger ones had a great time roasting marshmallows. "Give Harold Hamblin credit..." View Comments...
42 Before the night was over, the kids were roasting marshmallows for the adults.
43 Both Jan & Lois have recently had books published. So we had a book signing around the camp fire.
44 Irma & Tom Divine "We were having a good time..." View Comments...
45 Brenda Kendrick & Richard Barnard at the book signing.
46 Bill Overbey & wife LeeAnn relaxing at the park.
47 We gathered again on Saturday morning for another tour. This one throughout Laurel county.
48 The Overbey clan aboard the van, and ready for the tour.
49 Irma Parsley Divine
50 We stopped at Rough Creek Cemetery where both Walton Beckner and Kenneth Overbey's parents are buried.
51 The Thiem sisters on the steps of Rough Creek Baptist Church.
52 An ususual shot of the Rough Creek Cemetery. Kenneth's parents are buried in the far corner.
53 The crowd stopped and visited with Ward Gaines and his wife. Ward is song leader at St. John's church where dad preached.
54 A shot out the window shows the Cox Place where the family lived in the early 1940's. It is the only place left standing that I lived. "You can see a better pictu..." View Comments...
55 Lunch on Saturday at "Dairy Dart" "When I grew up in London, ..." View Comments...
56 The crowd begins arriving for the Saturday night festivities.
57 Let the reunion begin! "Saturday evening was the &..." View Comments...
58 Ken Overbey stands between his sister Lorrine Brock and her husband Johnny. Linda Jayne to far right.
59 Bertie Overbey, the oldest of the siblings attending, looked lovely. "I was so glad to see Berti..." View Comments...
60 Jan.s grandon, Ralph, Garnett Williams, John Barnard, Zula and Susan Burgess
61 Garnett, John & Zula
62 Barbara Williams with her cousin, Leon House. Leon's wife Judy and son Hunter to the left.
63 Here I am giving a few opening words of welcome prior to Saturday night dinner.
64 Dinner is served "around the table L to R: S..." View Comments...
65 I need help on this one! "Around the table L to R: B..." "The lady on the left in th..." View Comments...
66 I couln't make out the last two or three on the left. "around the table, L to R: ..." View Comments...
67 Another table?!, I'm running out of film. "Front & Center, Lora Linde..." View Comments...
68 I think this is the last one! "Again, around the tab....Y..." View Comments...
69 The children of Morgan & Nannie Williams: Jan Sparkman, Zula Barnard, Lois Cloyd, George Williams and Bertie Overbey. One other sibling, Pearl Parsley, was unable to attend.
70 In this one, we just added our spouses. John & Zula, George & Barbara, Lois & Larry, Jan & Tim, Bertie & Kenneth "A year and a half later, I..." View Comments...
71 Three of Etsye's children attended, Donna, David & Mark Now some family member help me name the rest of the Simmons descendants. "The others in the group ar..." View Comments...
72 All of Bertie's children attended, along with two grandchildren.
73 Lois & Larry's daughters, Brenda and Beverly were there. The sons could not be with them.
74 Aileen and three of the children attended from Denver's family.
75 All of Lella's children were there, but again, I need help naming the grandchildren. "I (Julia, Mona's youngest)..." View Comments...
76 Four of Flora's five children were there, along with a granddaughter and 2 great grandchildren.
77 Jan, Tim and their grandson, Ralph
78 John, Richard & Zula Barnard
79 Three generations of Parsley's were there to represent Pearl's family. "Irma & Tom Divine, Elaine,..." "Whoops, Lilly Claire Golde..." View Comments...
80 And last, but obviously, not least, me with my wife Barbara, Granddaughter Jessica, and daughter Tammy.
81 The grandchildren of Morgan & Nannie Williams that attended the reunion. This shows 18 of the 37 grandchildren.
82 Great grandchildren of Morgan & Nannie Williams
83 Great great grandchildren of Morgan & Nannie Williams
84 The Jarvis Williams family representatives. "L to R: Wanda Rose Guthrie..." View Comments...
85 Garnett was the only member of Uncle Harve's family that was present. "He posed with Lois because..." View Comments...
86 Aunt Sarah Elam's delegation "L to R: Sandra Winkler, Pa..." View Comments...
90 John Barnard, Randy Schott (back to camera), & G.L. Elam chat, Bill Overbey & Richard Barnard in the background.
91 Vanda Schott & Jan Sparkman.
92 Bertie, Kenneth, Johnny Brock, Larry and Earl McNabb
93 I am not sure whether Jan is welcoming someone, or just "givin' up"
94 Richard Barnard
95
96 Bryan Kendrick, Tim Sparkman & Bill Lacy
97
98
99 Kathy Kidd Foster & Diane Kidd Mulcahey "The young boy is Connie Ki..." "Yes, it's my son, Ian Brow..." View Comments...
100
101 Lorine Overbey Brock & Lois Cloyd
102 "@$#%^@$$# New fangled high tech inventions" "This is, of course, me and..." View Comments...
103 Tom Divine, Bob Rash, Harold Hamblin & Tim Sparkman
104 Tim Sparkman, Jan Sparkman, Steve Kidd & me with my back to the camera
105 Family members watching a slide show of old family pictures "Eternal thanks to Aaron Ro..." View Comments...
106
107 Mary Beth Lacy, Donna's youngest daughter.
108 Breakfast at McDonald's on Sunday morning. "Barbara, Harold Hamblin, S..." View Comments...
109 Arriving at St. John's Swiss Reform Church for Sunday services.
110 Dad pastored at St. John's Church for more than 25 years. Now 43 years after his death, they have the same songleader & same church treasurer as when I went there as a boy.
111 Richard Barnard, John & Zula Barnard arrive to services.
112 The three guest speakers: Bill Overbey, Tom Beckner & Richard Barnard
113 Tammy & Barbara on Sunday morning
114 Ward Gaines & Vanda Schott sing "I'm Happy Now", the last song Dad had published in 1951.
115 Me, Bill Overbey, Richard Barnard, John Barnard & Zula lead the Williams family in singing "It won't be very long", written by Dad in 1928.
116 Probably the largest crowd that church has had for many years.
117 Both sides were well filled.
118 I made a few opening remarks. It was awesome standing in the pulpit where Dad preached so long.
119 Bill Overbey led off....
120 Richard Barnard followed Bill....
121 ....and Tom Beckner finished the service.
122 Me, standing by the Bible I presented to the church over 20 years ago. I gave the Bible to Dad for his 70th birthday, January 30,1962. Dad died 39 days later, on March 10th.
123 Me & my family in front of the church.
124 Me and my "second mother", Rose Schott. She considered herself my second mother for most of my adolescent and teen years. She still gets about quite well at 89. Rose is Randy Schott's mother.
125 The granddaughters pose outside the church.
126 J.D. Hopkins & Jessica Blackburn at the church on Sunday.
127 These dried flowers were found in some of Etsye's belongings after she died. The envelope said "flowers from Blaine's funeral". Blaine was a brother that died in February 1934. "At Donna's suggestion, the..." View Comments...
128 Five generations of the Williams family are buried here at Snuffer Cemetery.
129 The reunion ended with several of us going to a local restaurant for lunch after we left the cemetery. "Dick & Carolyn Hope Colema..." View Comments...
