Dear Family Members:
On Sunday, October 21, 2012 the first meeting of the Major Williams and Hennie Dent Family Reunion Executive (Steering) Committee was held at the home of Henry Spooner and Geneva Spooner in Forest Heights Park at 7235 Carlene Avenue in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from 5:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. We had a very productive meeting with one of the chairpersons of the 2014 family reunion presiding, Doris Spooner Hall, the daughter of Henry and Geneva Spooner.
A special thanks to all of the members who were in attendance and involved in the executive (steering) committee. This is a very special and committed group of family members, and we are very lucky and blessed to have all of them so involved. Some of our family members could not attend, but expressed deep concern and regrets. These family members have been very supportive without being present. The committee appreciate their hearts, spirit, and minds in the right direction. Family members of the executive (steering) committee who were in attendance at the meeting:
Doris Spooner Hall
Edward Blaise
Carolyn Blaise
Diane Carter Helire
Linda Williams Batiste
Veronica Lee Williams Robins
Josie Carter Nichols
Ronald Nichols
Sandra Scott Jackson
Monica Blaise Gibbs
Benjamin Williams
Israel Williams
Drusilla Samuel Parker
Carl Felder
There were others who just could not attend the meeting due to long traveling distances, but will support 100% and their family members in participation. The following agenda was accepted by family members of the executive (steering) committee for discussion:
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Agenda: Welcome/ Prayer/ Save The Dates (July 11th, 12th, 13th, 2014).
Meet and Greet: Friday (July 11th, 2014), Host Hotel: Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel
Hotel: Much discussion existed about the hotel. However, I did check three other places.
Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel (4 to 5 Star) (by the Mall of Louisiana/ $109.00 per night/ plus free hospitality room and large registration area. Tenative - Some breakfast discussion maybe worked out (not definite yet). We have signed papers with this hotel, but changes can be done because of early planning. Hotel prices will rise 6% next year at all hotels, we have this price locked in, and it will not change for us.
The Hyatt Place across the street from the Mall of Louisiana - Room price $103.00 per night for family reunions, with very small hospitality room and not much space to move around. The food is more expensive for the meet and greet. This hotel has free breakfast, and regular room rates are $134.00 per night).
The Comfort Inn on Constitution Street ($85.00 per night for family reunion; however, more per night regular stay) No Food for Meet and Greet - a far distance from the Mall of Louisiana. No hospitality room for Meet and Greet. Continental Breakfast provided.
Motel 6: ($35.00 -45.00 per night) with nothing in terms of eating food or hospitality. You are totally on your own.
No hotel exist in the area of the Oschener Clinic – I did not see a hotel in the area, (maybe I missed it). I drove around 3 times.
Cost of the Reunion: $5.00 more from last year’s cost with T-Shirts included in the price (no extra charge) (Tenative) up for revisiting.
Cost will be addressed at a later time and date????
Saturday Gathering (Picnic) - July 12th - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Greenwood Community Center/Pavillion/Playground/ Waterfront/and Park - BREC) - Baker, La.
Saturday Evening (Dinner/Banquet) 6:30 p.m. -9:30 White Oaks Plantation Home
Major Williams and Hennie Dent Dinner/Banquet
Sunday Church Service -July 13th ----- Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church/ Baton Rouge, La.
Through research, family history discussions with other senior family members, our great and dedicated historians Carl and Janice Williams Felder, Edward Blaise and his wife Carolyn Blaise, other family members and their research, the executive (steering) committee wanted to include family members who are and were connected with Major William’s parents. Major William’s parents are James Williams, Sr. and Creacy Stewart.
James Williams, Sr., was born in January, 1844 in Walls, Louisiana. He died on January 12th, 1933. His burial was on January 14, 1933 in Walls, Louisiana. Creacy Stewart is the daughter of Henry Stewart and Nancy. She was born Abt. 1846 in West Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They were married on July 15, 1869 in West Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They had 9 children named:
Amanda Annie Willians
James "Jimmy" Williams, Jr.
Angelina Williams
Sarah Williams
Major Williams
Hannah Williams
Orange Williams, Sr.
Harriet Williams
Corine Williams
As you can see, we are not too early for discussions on many topics that needed to be addressed early. We will move forward according to plans and discussions.
We will constantly pray for our families, and especially those who have lost love ones. We must remember at this time all of our family members and cousins in a special way, and the latest one who departed from us, Joseph Will Richard, who was very dedicated and loyal to the family reunion. I was so very happy that I was in town to attend the Celebration of Life with family to share moments. We must also remember that he spoke to us:
"God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things
that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be
changed, the one from the other. Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did. Amen.
He loved his family.
We must think of Joseph Will Richard prayer and abide by this in making many significant decisions. For instance, through much discussion and many months of debating this change of name for our family reunion, we made a decision by majority vote from the executive (steering) committee to change the name of our Reunion to "James Williams, Sr. and Creacy Stewart Family Reunion 2014."
Let it be known: Accepted and approved by the Executive (Steering) Committee of the Williams/Dent Family Reunion on October 21, 2012 at approximately 7:12 p.m., the name change from now on and in the future, the Reunion will be addressed:
James Williams, Sr./Creacy Stewart Family Reunion.
We will have a 10th Anniversary and 20 Years of Renewal since 1993 to celebrate Major Williams/Hennie Dent at a Dinner/Banquet on Saturday evening, July 12th, 2014 at
White Oaks Plantation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
I am so happy and pleased - excited that we are off to a great start and that the Good Lord, Jesus Christ will be with us all the way. We must pray together for good luck, energy, wisdom, share our thoughts, and for prosperity!! I am so very happy that we worked together so well and beautifully. It is going to be great, and we are hoping that all families will join with us in body and participation!!!!!!!!!! Inspire Your Families!! We had a great time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana!!
My friend, my family member, and family musician like myself (Doris Spooner Hall) reminded us: "For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and works, the steadfastness of your faith in Christ." (Colossians 2:5) was mentioned in Alfred "Al" Bernard Celebration of Life. He loved his family.
We love you all, and May the Good Lord Bless Us!!
Doris Spooner Hall
Doris Spooner Hall
Florence Bernard James
Chairpersons Family Reunion 2014
Diane Carter Helire
Sanna Carter Sims
Co-Chairpersons Family Reunion 2014
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