Dealing with Cancer
10 years ago
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Wilkins Siblings at Wilkins Home on Hwy 69, Fairview, AL
I plan to post pictures both to the Wilkins blog, but also on the Scott/Benton Family Tree on Ancestry.com. Those in the picture are:
l-r Front Row: Fed, Ralph, Peg, Sue
l-r Back Row: Polly, Jim, Bert, Heart, Bess, Henry, John.
If you will share your family pictures with me (already scanned would be quicker), I will be glad to add them to the family tree on Ancestry, and on this blog. If you catch any errors, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Clomer Eugene "Jim" Wilkins
Thanks to Debbie Johnson Brown for sharing this picture of Jim and Inez on their wedding day!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Clomer Eugene (Jim) Wilkins 1927-2009
We lost Uncle Jim yesterday after a valiant struggle following several heart surgeries. The best news is we know he is with his Lord and Savior in a much better place where there is no sadness and no pain, and reunited with those family members who have gone before! That can put a big smile on your face, just thinking of that wonderful reunion, and we get to join them soon. (I do believe our time here is getting shorter!)
One of the best traditions of the Wilkins' family was their annual reunion. I remember the first one I attended after Barron and I married. The reunion locations alternated between Georgia and Alabama each year and this particular time the event was near Lake Jackson, GA. The strange thing was that Barron, having been away in Vietnam for several years, didn't recognize some of his distant kin so I didn't feel quite the stranger, and years later I still remember some just from that event, and got to know some much better over the years.
One thing you knew you would enjoy at the reunion was the Sunday dinner. Those ladies (and sometimes men, as my husband is one of the best cooks around these parts) knew how to cook downhome southern style, and there was always a very large assortment - from fried okra to sweet corn to fried chicken to wonderful desserts - sometimes even homemade ice cream.
My leap into family genealogy came out of the family reunions. My mother-in-law had particularly asked me to trace her family tree, so I would come prepared to these gatherings with notebook and pen, and strive to get as much info as I could from people I was just beginning to know. I continue to pursue genealogy and especially learning more about our families, where they came from, how they worked, raised their families, worshipped.
Uncle Jim -- you were loved by your wife and children, your parents and siblings, your extended family, your church fellowship. You will be lovingly missed!!
If anyone reading this blog has any pictures of the Wilkins family or of the Wilkins reunions, I would be grateful if you shared them with me. I did find some from years past that our daughter used in the "genealogy scrapbooks" she lovingly did for her parents. I'll dig some out and scan and put on this blog.
One of the best traditions of the Wilkins' family was their annual reunion. I remember the first one I attended after Barron and I married. The reunion locations alternated between Georgia and Alabama each year and this particular time the event was near Lake Jackson, GA. The strange thing was that Barron, having been away in Vietnam for several years, didn't recognize some of his distant kin so I didn't feel quite the stranger, and years later I still remember some just from that event, and got to know some much better over the years.
One thing you knew you would enjoy at the reunion was the Sunday dinner. Those ladies (and sometimes men, as my husband is one of the best cooks around these parts) knew how to cook downhome southern style, and there was always a very large assortment - from fried okra to sweet corn to fried chicken to wonderful desserts - sometimes even homemade ice cream.
My leap into family genealogy came out of the family reunions. My mother-in-law had particularly asked me to trace her family tree, so I would come prepared to these gatherings with notebook and pen, and strive to get as much info as I could from people I was just beginning to know. I continue to pursue genealogy and especially learning more about our families, where they came from, how they worked, raised their families, worshipped.
Uncle Jim -- you were loved by your wife and children, your parents and siblings, your extended family, your church fellowship. You will be lovingly missed!!
If anyone reading this blog has any pictures of the Wilkins family or of the Wilkins reunions, I would be grateful if you shared them with me. I did find some from years past that our daughter used in the "genealogy scrapbooks" she lovingly did for her parents. I'll dig some out and scan and put on this blog.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Pictures Available
I have received the cd from Joshua and his release letter. I had no trouble whatsoever making copies at CVS. They were ready in 5 minutes!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Cemetery pics/old pics
I would like to start adding more stuff to this blog. Is there anyone who would like to help with this project? I want to add all the cemetery pictures we have or can go take, and also old family pictures. As many of you saw at the reunion, our daughter made her Daddy a scrapbook and lots of the old pictures we had are in it. I just need to make time to scan them so I can include them. But I would also want to include old pictures that you might have as well, so check your photo albums and let me know what you can provide.
First Generation Picture at Wilkins home
In the picture are L-R first row: Mary Wilkins Collum (Jim), Sandy Scott Hicks (Sue), Kinard "Tiny" Latham (Polly), Barron "Freddie" Scott (Sue), Nava Jean Wilkins Parker (Heard), Glenda Wright Quattlebaum (Bess), Elaine Wilkins Edwards (Bert), Dianne Wilkins Fay (Bert); second row: Velda Wilkins Rogers (Jim), Joe Wright (Bess), Stancell "Nip" Latham (Polly), Charles "Butch" Wilkins (Bert), Terry Wright (Bess), Randy Wilkins (Bert).
Didn't this turn out well? Just this morning, Joshua sent me some pics via email but the big plan is for him to send me a CD with all the original pics - I'll scan the original picture and include that - and I will gladly copy them onto a cd to each family that provides me mailing info. Josh will be providing a release form so you won't have any problem duplicating them for your various family members. I plan to put the two pics together, the original siblings and now the 1st generation, for a composite group picture. The pictures of the various families turned out super well also.
Please let Joshua know how much you appreciate his hard work. You can email him through his website: www.joshuablackwilkins.com. or blackboots24@hotmail.com.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
2009 Wilkins Reunion is over
What a great time was had by all that attended, and it was very well attended. I think we had between 50-60 people at the Chesley Oaks Country Club. After much eating and talking, and everyone being introduced to everyone else, the crowd reconvened at the George Wilkins home for picture taking. Joshua (son of Butch and Barbara Wilkins)was kind enough to bring his professional equipment and do the honors of taking the group and family pictures. We are hoping to make the prints available soon.
For 2010, I hope you will go ahead and put the date on your calendar so you won't miss out. Butch and Barbara have agreed to be the keepers of the mailing lists, so if you have any changes this next year, please contact them. Barron (Freddie to most of you) had enough money remaining this year (since the country club refunded our deposit) to go ahead and reserve the Scout Hut in Vinemont for next year!
A Get Well card was signed by all attendees to send to Uncle Jim. We hate that his aortic valve replacement surgery kept him from attending but delighted that he is now on his way to a full recovery. A separate journal was signed and is being sent to Aunt Peg. As you know, these are the last two surviving siblings. We have not been able to be in touch with her and her family, so if you have information regarding her health, please let me know. Midge Ratliffe, the oldest cousin, is not able to come to the reunions due to her health situation, but is always glad to have visitors at the Hanceville Nursing Home.
Thanks to each one who came to the reunion and we anticipate seeing you again next year -- and hope those who didn't make it this year will do so in 2010. Mark your calendar now for Sunday, July 11 !!
For 2010, I hope you will go ahead and put the date on your calendar so you won't miss out. Butch and Barbara have agreed to be the keepers of the mailing lists, so if you have any changes this next year, please contact them. Barron (Freddie to most of you) had enough money remaining this year (since the country club refunded our deposit) to go ahead and reserve the Scout Hut in Vinemont for next year!
A Get Well card was signed by all attendees to send to Uncle Jim. We hate that his aortic valve replacement surgery kept him from attending but delighted that he is now on his way to a full recovery. A separate journal was signed and is being sent to Aunt Peg. As you know, these are the last two surviving siblings. We have not been able to be in touch with her and her family, so if you have information regarding her health, please let me know. Midge Ratliffe, the oldest cousin, is not able to come to the reunions due to her health situation, but is always glad to have visitors at the Hanceville Nursing Home.
Thanks to each one who came to the reunion and we anticipate seeing you again next year -- and hope those who didn't make it this year will do so in 2010. Mark your calendar now for Sunday, July 11 !!
Sad news
Sorry to be late getting this on the blog, but unfortunately Joey's wife miscarried. Please remember this couple in your prayers.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
New Grandbaby for Lori Wyatt
Received via email dated June 18, 2009: Just wanted to let you all know that I am going to be a Grandma again. Just found out this evening and my son Joe is expecting another child. That's about all I know at this point. No due date yet, but I figure sometime in February (2010). -- Lori
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Laurel Wilkins Wyatt
Heard from Lori that she and J.R. will not be financially able to come to Alabama for the Wilkins reunion (said they would be visiting the grandkids if there was money for travel - and we certainly can identify with that!). I told her I would publish the pictures of Joey's son that she shared with me.
Wilkins Family Reunion 2009
It's that time again and we hope you have put it on your calendar and plan to be here! It will be covered dish on Saturday, July 11, from 11:00-?? (usually eat about Noon). This year it is being held at Chesley Oaks Country Club on Hwy 69 - just up the road from Concord Baptist Church. Following the meal, we will move to the house George Wilkins built for their homeplace (now part of Spring Arbor Baptist Church) so that family pictures can be made.
Some of you may have the print of the Wilkins siblings (John to Peg) made outside this house -- and we thought a reproduction of that with the next generation or so would be exciting! Joshua (Butch and Barbara's son) has agreed to make photos for us.
So plan now to join us for this exciting time. Any genealogy information you have to share would also be appreciated! Bring photo albums to show too!!
Some of you may have the print of the Wilkins siblings (John to Peg) made outside this house -- and we thought a reproduction of that with the next generation or so would be exciting! Joshua (Butch and Barbara's son) has agreed to make photos for us.
So plan now to join us for this exciting time. Any genealogy information you have to share would also be appreciated! Bring photo albums to show too!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
