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Reunion
Deeds family
 | | Those recognized with gifts are (l-r) John Kenneth Brinkley; Annamae Bryant Gilbert; Angela and Victoria Freeman; Ron Wilson, master of ceremonies; Cynthia, Jacob and Hannah Brady; and Yvonne and Tom Maydian. |
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DOUTHAT - The descendents of William and Rachel Haynes Deeds celebrated their 70th annual reunion on Sunday, Aug. 12 at Douthat State Park with 110 people registered. Douthat State Park opened on June 15, 1936, work completed by the CCC with many family members serving in the CCC. William Deeds owned 150 acres which is now the lake and portions around it before this construction.
The families decided to hold a picnic and get family members together in 1936. At this time, they got a committee and formed the "Deeds reunion" with officers and set the second Saturday of August of each year for family members to gather at the picnic shelter. They would come from many states and stayed all day, eating supper before heading home.
This tradition had been carried on by their descendents for 70 years. A book of the family, "The History of William A. Deeds and Rachel Haynes Deeds, 1754-2006, From Germany to America," written by Caroline Deeds Wilson, has been printed with 30 years of research and was on display and for sale. She also displayed pictures for over 100 years to 2006 on bulletin boards. These will be put into albums, preserved and passed on to her son Ron Wilson, president of the Deeds reunion, to be used for future generations.
The reunion opened with a group picture, which has become a tradition for the last four years, taken by Robert Stoutamire, a family member. Picnic lunch followed and family group pictures were taken.
Gospel bluegrass music was provided by Karen Bradberry and her family.
A memorial service was conducted by the Rev. Grover Nicely Jr. Candles were lit for the following deceased members since last reunion: Margie Louise Watts Jeffries, Stella Madeline Long Waxter, Barry Alan Hyler, Robert Lee Paxton, and Angie Gaines Nicely. As the candles were put out, Bradberry, assisted by Dawn Wilson, sang "God Be With You Until We Meet Again."
The following were recognized: Oldest male, John Kenneth Brinkley; oldest female, Annamae Bryant Gilbert; youngest female girl, Victoria Arianna Freeman (she also won this last year), daughter of Angela Wilson Freeman; youngest male baby, Jacob Brady, son of Cynthia Reynolds Brady; traveling greatest distance were Tom and Yvonne Maydian of Chipley, Fla. Arnold Bradberry, husband of Betty Dressler Bradberry, was given a gift as the oldest living spouse of a direct descendent, a new tradition this year.
Anna Jurgens Stoutamire of North Carolina, Charles Jurgens of Richmond and Anna Samples Darwin of Jeffersonville, Ind. were also present and older descendents but chose to leave early due to the hot weather and travel.
Gifts for those recognized were donated by Jo Ann Carter Gideon in memory of her father, Cecil Carter, who served as master of ceremonies for years until his death in 1981.
The 50/50 raffle was won by Matthew Nicely, and 20 handpainted items, painted and donated by Talia Renee Deeds, were given by drawing tickets. Four children's raffle prizes were also given. Talia Deeds also provided gift bags and did face painting.
Officers for the coming year remain the same, except the younger generation will take over the major portion of the preparation of the reunion, replacing Caroline Deeds Wilson, who has chosen to become an advisor for the reunion.
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