The 2018 Brown Family Reunion was the 14th time the descendants of Charlie and Lessie Brown have come together to celebrate our legacy. This is the first time the reunion was held outside of California. We had a great time. Here are a few comments from those who came to Texas...
This reunion was well planned. It was very informative, enjoyable and short. I loved meeting the new additions to the family. most of all I enjoyed seeing the ones I have known as kids. Some are now gray-haired with grand kids and great-grand kids. Isn't how the reunion circle grows? The family history was most informative (did you notice the quietness of the room?) I think my grandson, Jordan Hanna Brown (JHB) gained a better understanding of the significance of his middle name and is proud to continue the name for his granddad, Joe Hanna Brown (JHB).... Aunt Essie BTW: checkout Aunt Essie's 2-Step at the Saturday Night After Party)
I enjoyed everything about the reunion. Ray's message on Sunday about power and legacy was right on the mark for our reunion theme, Empowered By Our Legacy. I like the way everyone interacted with each other. The part of the reunion that inspired me to keep researching the family roots was the 6th generation's enthusiastic reaction to the family history presentation. I know it was a bit too long, but I won't apologize for wanting everyone to know about the legacy our ancestors left us. I was also pleased that everyone participated in the preliminary planning for the next reunion. Looking forward to seeing you in 2020!... Aunt Elaine
Being with my family is something that I always look forward to. Whether it's seeing the new additions and marveling at how much they have grown since the last time I saw them, laughing at the amount of ice cream Al consumed while complaining that Joseph didn't leave much. Laughing with Ray. Dancing with Lynne, Annette and Debbie; even Aunt Elaine and my mom (aka Aunt Essie) shook a leg. My nephews Kyle and Jordan become so enthusiastic and emotional about the family history Aunt Elaine gave. Seeing the younger generation making connections with their cousins was special. The biggest thing was how much we focused only on the family and made God the center. It wasn't even about where we were, but that we could celebrate our union, our bond as a family. Doing this continually, consistently, we will keep this family strong... Grace Brown
I admire the dedication of my Aunt Elaine and her family in organizing our reunion. It was so much fun interacting with generations of "The Browns." A free shuttle to the mall is absolutely a must; the shopaholics were happy! We enjoyed the River Walk, it was beautiful and historic. My favorite part was my Aunt Elaine's presentation of our family history and her challenge to write our own! I was glad that the younger family members had input in planning the next reunion. Their involvement will empower our legacy... Bernard & Lynne
What I enjoyed most about our reunion was reminiscing about the past and seeing the next generations creating new memories of their own. It was fun to see how the kids are growing up and having fun with each other just the way we did. One of the highlights was our dinner on Saturday night and learning about our Roots. The River Walk was fun but probably more enjoyable in the Fall... Annette (AKA Paula)
Friday Night Meet and Greet
Selfie-Stick Fun
Saturday Free Time
Exploring San Antonio
Saturday Night
Dinner and Program
While scrolling through the 2008 reunion pictures, we found this one of Joseph Brown and Jos'Lynne Williams.
We asked the cousins to update it for this reunion.
August 2008
Brown Family Reunion
August 2018
Brown Family Reunion
The power point presentation can be found under the "Our History" tab.
The After Party
Sunday Morning Family Fellowship
The Sunday Morning Family Fellowship was led by Reverend Orlando Ray Dial of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Burlington, Iowa. A transcription of his message will be posted soon.
The Brown family's 14 Reunion
Sunday morning message. July 19th “Empowered by Our Legacy”
Reverend Orlando Ray Dial
First this is not a transcript of the actual notes or the notes I sent a picture of. I am sure you can't read my scribbles, I can’t, and I wrote them. What this is, is more of the thoughts that inspired the words I shared.
After Saturday night’s family history, I was moved to use the scripture Philippians 4:8 remember the good.
As Aunt Elaine shared how Big Mama was raised by grandparents and how Grandpa (someone I never got to meet) had to move away to find work and send money back and how big mama had to work so hard to make ends come as close to meeting as she could, I could only think on the good. I could not help but see the faith in our legacy. Knowing that our grandparents meet at a church social, I again saw the faith in our legacy. I remember the 1965 reunion and the riot. I know it was only God that brought all the Browns to L.A. and back home safely.
As I stood there, I could see the children of the generations past and present and I thought how much we look like our parents. Seeing James’s son, I remembered how in 1980, while driving from Waterloo to L.A., my Toyota broke down about an hour from Denver. Uncle Lewis used his car to tow me to his house and James fixed the water pump. But the thing that stuck out to me was James, his gun, and the dog.
So, while I had notes on the topic, I was inspired by our history, our faces, and our life stories.
At the close of the fellowship, cousins Paula May and Grace Brown read the family reunion poem. It was requested by Jacqueline (Aunt Elaine) Miller that at the close of every Brown Family Reunion, from here on, the family reunion poem be read. Everyone in attendance agreed.
