Dear Family Members:
On Saturday, May 4th, 2013 the second meeting of the James Williams, Sr. and Creacy Stewart Family Reunion Executive (Steering) Committee was held at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, Room 208 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from 5:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. We had a very productive and detailed meeting with both chairpersons for the 2014 family reunion present (Doris Spooner Hall and Florence Bernard James). In addition, one of our Co-Chairperson was present (Diane Carter Helire).
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. We added two members to our roster (Jerelyn Spooner and Bridgette Johnson). Once again, some of our family members could not attend, but expressed deep concern and regrets. These family members have been very supportive through telephone calls and conversations without being present. The committee appreciate their hearts, spirit, and minds in the right direction. We do look for all of them to be present in body and spirit at the 2014 reunion. Family members of the executive (steering) committee who were in attendance at the meeting:
Doris Spooner Hall
Florence Bernard James & Husband
Diane Carter Helire
Le Roy (Priest) Helire
Edward Blaise
Carolyn Blaise
Joan Bernard Armstrong
Linda Williams Batiste
Benjamin Williams, Jr & Wife
Josie Carter Nichols
Ronald Nichols
Jeralyn Spooner
Sandra Scott Jackson
Renee Scott Ward
Alex Earnest Hall
Gail Williams Payne
Israel Williams
Gwendolyn Johnson
Vanessa Johnson
Veronica Lee Williams Robins
Sheila Trim
Dee Dee Spooner
Angela Spooner
Once again, 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.
Agenda for Family Reunion Meeting held Saturday, May 4th, 2013/ Second Meeting
Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church
9700 Scenic Highway
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70807
Room 208/ Family Life Center
Chairpersons: Doris Spooner Hall/ Florence Bernard James
10th Anniversary/20 Years of Existence Since 1993
James Williams, Sr. & Creacy Stewart Family Reunion 2014
| Welcome: |
LeRoy Helire & Diane Carter Helire
Son-In-Law & Daughter of MayBell Spooner Carter
Daughter of John & Creacy Spooner
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| Prayer: |
Florence Bernard James, Daughter of Clothilde Williams Bernard/Harry
Bernard
Grand-daughter of Major Williams & Hennie Dent
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| Presiding: |
Doris Spooner Hall, Daughter of Henry & Geneva Spooner
Grand-daughter of John & Creacy Spooner
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| Save The Dates: |
Friday- July 11th, Saturday- July 12th, and Sunday- July 13th, 2014 |
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| Cost of the Reunion: |
Tentative (Up for Discussion) $50.00 including T-Shirts for
Individuals/ $135.00 including T-Shirts for a Family/ same Income Tax
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There was much discussion concerning the cost of the reunion. We want to celebrate Major Williams and Hennie Dent 10th Anniversary and 20 Years of Renewal concerning the Family Reunion since 1993 in Banquet Style with other members of our family. We have progressed in numbers with wonderful family members additionally through Major’s father James Williams, Sr. and his mother Creacy Stewart. However, we all know that a reunion existed before 1993, and the committee decided to investigate the earlier history and document this history in the next family reunion book 2014 as we "Bridge to Our Past, Present, and Future." We are requesting if any family members know this history about the earlier family reunions, to please email it to: Doris Spooner Hall----- (halldoris.doris@aol.com)
We developed a Finance Committee, chaired by Edward Blaise to assist with cost because of his past experience as a great leader of our family reunions as we all know. His vast research for history of our family, and monetary experiences with data and statistics to support lead us to make this choice. The Finance Committee consist of: Linda Williams Batiste, Benjamin Williams, Jr., Diane Helire, Veronica Lee Williams Robins, Jeralyn Spooner, Bridgette Johnson, Israel Williams, and Doris Spooner Hall.
As one of my best friends of the reunion told me, "the cost of the Reunion is the easy part. It is a guess on the actual number of attendees. I will tell you that you will sweat up to the Reunion but as someone told me in 2010, the Williams Family always come through, they will not disappoint you."
Everyone will purchase a T-Shirt. The T-Shirt will not be included in the price of the reunion, but a separate price as in previous years voted by the committee.
"Meet and Greet"
James Williams, Sr. & Creacy Stewart Family Reunion
Friday, July 11, 2014
Event Time: 5:00 -10:00 p.m.
Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel
The Committee approved the choice of the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge, LA – located across the street facing the "Mall of Louisiana" and to the right down the street not very far is "Perkins Rowe." The hotel rate will be:
Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel
7000 Blue Bonnet Boulevard
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70810
$109/room/night (plus applicable state and local taxes
For
July 11th, 12th, 2014.
This rate will only be available for Friday night and Saturday night
Details will be provided at a later date about the hotel and reservations. Please Wait!
Saturday Morning & Afternoon Family Gathering: Time Approval (10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)
Greenwood Community Center-Park/Baker, Louisiana
Committee for Events (Handouts)
"Saturday Family Gathering"
James Williams, Sr. & Creacy Stewart Family Reunion
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Event Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Greenwood Community Center/ Baker
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
It was approved by the committee that the family gathering will take place at Greenwood Community Center from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with all family members attending. The Chairperson for the Gathering will be Sandra Scott Jackson and Co-Chaired by Renee Scott Ward with a committee.
Saturday Evening Banquet (Dinner) Major Williams/Hennie Dent Family Reunion 2014
Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church Family Life Center
Committee for Event (Handouts)
The Chairperson for the Banquet: Diane Carter Helire
The Co-Chairperson for the Banquet: Sanna Carter Sims
It was approved by the committee that we have a Banquet at White Oaks Plantation. However, the seating for this facility is 150-200 individuals, which will not accommodate our reunion for 2014. We are expecting more participants for this reunion from all members of the families as descendants of "James Williams, Sr. & Creacy Stewart." We have tentatively moved the Banquet to Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church Life Center Banquet Room, which is just beautiful and very accommodating. It is not any cheaper in cost than White Oaks Plantation, but much more room and adequate for seating.
Details will be provided at a later date.
Sunday Church Service: Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church
Committee for Event (Handouts)
The committee is very happy with the church, and we had a complete tour of the church and the beautiful "State of the Arts" Family Life Center at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church. Everyone was impressed and very happy to be welcomed at this beautiful facility.
Family Book 2014: Updates needed (Birthdays)
The family will have to cooperate with Edward Blaise in terms of pictures and other pertinent information that we will be requesting from family members. Deadlines will become very important at this point. We are less than a year away from our reunion 2014. Our history information has been updated to a certain point, but some information will need updates. Watch for communication.
2014 Family Coordinators List/2014 Family Host Committee List----Baton Rouge, La. (Area individuals)/ 2014 Family Descendants/Historian Committee List
We desire for everyone in the families to be active in this reunion for 2014. Plans are being made to make everyone comfortable and easy to manage their payments for the reunion. The committees have all worked hard and diligently.
Old Business & New Business/Added Business
Meeting Adjourned
I am so very happy and pleased at this date with motivation, excitement, and happiness that we are reaching our goals as planned. We ask for blessings, good weather, cheers, and joy at this reunion. We pray that the Good Lord, Jesus Christ will be with us all the way. I am so pleased that we all worked together so well and beautifully!! It is going to be great, we must hold the faith in all aspects spiritually, financially, and family love.
Inspire Your Families to Join with Us in 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are Having a Great Time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and also 2014!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Special Thanks: The Chairmans and Co-Chairmans would like to extend a heart warming appreciation to Le Roy (Priest) Helire and Diane Carter Helire for sharing their church and hospitality to all of us during the second family reunion meeting. Everything was just great and lovely, and the food was delicious – Thank you so very much!!
In Prayer
These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days for Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory for them die and among their descendants.
Esther: 9:28
Lord, I thank You for the joy of celebration!! Help us to be a family who remembers and gathers together – not just for birthdays and holidays, but even to celebrate the little blessings of life. As we laugh and play, eat and drink, challenge and encourage on another, we are thankful for all that You have done in our lives.
May we have good memories of our family celebrations!!
We know Lord, the only way this can happen is that family members plan and do attend their
Family Reunions!!
Thank you Jesus!!
Jackie Johnson.
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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