The 100th Anniversary Reunion of the Walter Stewart Clan was held the weekend of Aug. 11th and Aug. 12th 2007 at Fairview Presbyterian Church, New Harmony Presbyterian Church and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Fountain Inn, SC. Chief Charles B. Stewart opened the Sunday Business meeting with a prayer giving thanks for those who have left us and who worked to put the first reunion together. This was followed by a solo by Michael Hellams, son of John and Polly Hellams. Martha Henderson played the organ.
Chief Charles welcomed everyone in attendance and made note that the first reunion held in 1907 was not created with today's instant communication of cell phones and computers and paved roads with SUV's but took many years to organize by word of mouth, pen and pencil and one horse buggies on dirt roads. Chief Charles also commented that the reunion has meet all but a few of the past 100 years when it was cancelled due to the rationing of gas during WWII. Chief Charles attributed the success of the Stewart Reunions to meeting in a house of God and attributed the attendance of so many at the 100th Reunion to the hard work of the planning committee.
Chief Charles then requested members present from each house to stand for count. The report was given by Registrar & Parliamentarian, Alan Fields. Registered today are: House of Samuel 53 House of Walter, Jr. 2 House of John 7 House of Clark Berry 4 House of Robert 165 House of David Bobo 0 House of James 15 Total - 246
States represented were South Carolina 144, Georgia 36, North Carolina 16, Florida 1, Tennessee 16, Virginia 10 and Indiana 2, Texas 8, Colorado 2, Ohio 3, Oklahoma 2, London, England 4, Minnesota 2.
The farthest traveled was the family of 3222511 David and Elizabeth Waters Stevens from London, England and the least traveled was Joe Stewart from 2 miles. Youngest in attendance was 32225112 Madison Stevens born June 11, 2007 and the oldest in attendance was Ruth White. The Chief noted that 3734 Sarah Godfrey was the last person to live that attended the first reunion in 1907. Chief Charles asked for a show of hands of those who attended during the years 1910-1919, there were none. He asked for a show of hands for 1920-1929, there were two, 3843 Joe Stewart and Chief Charles.
Treasurer's Report was given by Doug Stewart: $3,018.06 beginning balance, ending balance to date $1,611.90.
Chief Charles recognized the members of the reunion planning committee: Chelsea Clark for the newsletter, James Rogers for mailing the newsletters, Judy Smith for internet updates, Linda Clark for overseeing the plans, and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Beth Stewart Hall reported on the 100th anniversary cookbook sales. Other committee members were LaMarr Brooks, Chelsea Clark, Alan and Kathy Fields, Joey Henderson, Dick and Mary S. Newton, and Ann Shaver. John Hellams donated the commemorative ribbon badges for attendees, replicas of the original Scotch thistle ribbons worn at the first reunion in 1907. Polly Hellams contributed the reunion programs.
John Hellams reported from the nominating committee for the election of the 2007-2008 House Historians:
House of Samuel-Margaret Sumeral, Laurens, SC House of Walter, Jr.-Donna S. Skarloken, Tracy, CA House of John-Anne Shaver, Greenville, SC House of Clark Berry-Larry E. Stewart, Kingsville, MD House of Robert-Alan & Kathy Fields, Greensboro, NC House of David Bobo-Clark H. Stewart, Glenn Rose, TX House of James-David G. Jones, Austin, TX
Chief Charles opened the floor for other nominations, none given, motion was accepted to close the nominations. Vote was taken with the acceptance of all those nominated.
Mary Newton introduced the meeting speaker, Cathy Kaemmerlen who re-enacted the Civil War story of 422 Scynthia Stewart Boyd of the House of James. Mary Kramer played the bagpipes before and after the meeting.
The meeting concluded with the Meal Blessing and adjourned for the bounteous tables in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church fellowship hall.
Respectfully Submitted,
LaMarr Brooks, Secretary
Last updated: 8/24/2008
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