BIRTH OF THE REUNION

[1966-Present]

 

It was shortly after our Sister Omega went home to be with Our Lord in 1966 that Willo (Clark-Thomas) Vaughters and Brenda Tharp Thompson were visiting Buckatunna, Mississippi. One evening they were sitting on the porch talking with their grandfather, C.W. Powe, who was telling them about how things were when he began homesteading in Buckatunna. C.W. went on to describe many situations he had encountered. He also spoke of how his forefathers migrated to that area. Willo and Brenda said that it was a shame that the only times our families got together were during funerals or some other sad occasion. They also though that every family member should have the opportunity to know our interesting and colorful heritage.

Meanwhile, Sheila Tharp and Valeria Jones Collins were sitting on the porch in Ohio reflecting the same thoughts. Those thoughts began to come alive when Willo and Brenda realized that Sheila and Valerie shared the same ideas. They also wanted to establish togetherness among their many relatives and to build a legacy that would last throughout the ages. They dreamed that all of the families would come together in fellowship and love, remembering their legacy, and continue to pass it down from generation to generation.  

The children of the Late Rev. C.W. Powe and Willia M. Harris are; Omega Powe Clark, Willo T. Powe Jones, Theda Powe Tharp, Shellie S. Powe, Cozette Powe Leverette, C.L. Powe, Helen M. Powe Nicholson, Nonjeania Powe Ogletree, and Clementine Powe Phifer.

Initially there were a few families who met in parks in the Cleveland Area carrying picnic lunches. Willo and Brenda were the initial organizers of the event. James Tharp paid for the postage for the first mailing, reimbursing Willo her mortgage payment. Juanita (C.L.) Powe provided postage for several family reunion mailings. James Tharp also provided food for some of the earlier picnics and the fish for the first fish fry.

In 1971, we had the largest and greatest turnout. It was the year Cozy and Lavonce Leverette and family came to Ohio to visit and also is the Gloria Torrence Rucks joined the efforts. From that point on the reunion grew and grew. In 1976, host city designation began and the family reunion was moved from the Cleveland/ Arkon Area to various locations throughout the United States*.

 

LOCATIONS OF POWE REUNIONS
1970 - Cleveland, Ohio	1971 - Cleveland, Ohio	1972 - Akron, Ohio	1973 - Cleveland, Ohio
1974 - Akron, Ohio	1975 - Cleveland, Ohio	1976 - Cleveland, Ohio*	1977 - Biloxi, Mississippi
1978 - Mobile, Alabama	1979 - Canton, Ohio	1980 - Washington, D.C.	1981 - Stateline, Mississippi
1982 - Orlando, Florida	1983 - Chicago, Illinois	1984 - Pittsburgh, PA	1985 - Canton, Ohio
1986 - Biloxi, Mississippi	1987 - Forth Worth, Texas	1988 - Cleveland, Ohio	1989 - Frankford, Kentucky
1990 - Pittsburgh, PA	1991 - Washington, D.C.	1992 - Canton, Ohio	1993 - New Orleans, LA
1994 - Chicago, Illinois	1995 - Philadelphia, PA	1996 - Biloxi, Mississippi	1997 - Cleveland, Ohio
1998 - Atlanta, Georgia	1999 - Frankfort, Kentucky	2000 - Pittsburgh, PA	2001 - Cincinnati, Ohio
2002 - Chicago, Illinois	2003 - St. Louis, Missouri	2004 - Ocean Springs, MS	2005 - Canton, Ohio
2006 - Washington, D.C.	2007 - Pittsburgh, PA	2008 - Frankfort, Kentucky	2009 - Cleveland, Ohio
2010 - Chicago, Illinois	2011 - Canton, Ohio	2012 - Washington, D.C.	2013 - Sacramento, California
2014 - Atlanta, Georgia	2015 - Mississippi	2016 - Frankfort, Kentucky	2017 - Cincinnati, Ohio
2018 - Pittsburgh, PA