Smith Family Reunion 2021

It is a great joy and delight to announce our 2021 bi-annual Smith Family Reunion!

It has been two years since our last Smith Family Reunion and a lot has happened. We have lost loved ones, either through natural causes/illnesses or some due to the COVID-19 virus. You might say, “how are you having a reunion--we’re still in a pandemic”. Yes, we know everyone has not been vaccinated; however, some of the restrictions have been lifted; and if we look at how many losses we have had in the last two years and how all of us are all getting older, we mean maturing, we never know if we will be here to celebrate as a family two years from now. We will comply with CDC guidelines. S o o o o…we say how can we pass this year up and not celebrate our family for a four-year period. We mentioned during our last 2019 family reunion that our oldest family member celebrated her 102nd birthday (Alva Etta Smith-Drayden), but sadly we celebrated her homegoing at the age of 103 during the pandemic in 2020. Also, two of the people who attended the last reunion in 2019 in Atlanta, are no longer with us—Merriam Naomi Smith Norman and friend of the family, John Armstrong, who was recognized as the oldest attendee at that reunion. Additionally, there are several other family members we mourn that we know about who passed since 2019: Kevan Wayne Smith, Lynette Jackson and Georgetta Suggs.

The venue for our family reunion from July 15th – 19th, 2021 is Charleston, South Carolina! This family reunion affords us another opportunity as a family to get together, love together, look back together, and most importantly, look forward together. Our theme is “We Are One”.

Last time we apologized for the short notice and promised to do better; yet here we are again apologizing. Nevertheless, we are confident we can still do this in the time period that we have. Hopefully you received the “Save the Date” large post card previously mailed to you and this is not a complete surprise. The Reunion Committee has planned many great activities where we can show our “strength and love” as a family. We hope to see you at our venue location this year in Charleston, SC, hosted by George a.k.a. “Tiki”, Gentleman George. We will enjoy some of the famous sightseeing, take in some historical information, have a 3 or 4-course meal on Spirit Line Dinner Cruise, enjoy a private Fish Fry and Pool Party hosted by a family friend; enjoy luxury bus transportation throughout the weekend to all of our activities (no individuals driving cars all over Charleston – how about that service!) and end with a marvelous Sunday Gospel Brunch with live music.

Our hotel accommodations are at the magnificent Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport, North Charleston SC. You will absolutely love this hotel. We have secured a room rate of $159.00 per night plus tax which includes a full breakfast buffet. Reservations must be made by contacting the hotel directly for the room block or let George or Carolyn know (contact information is shown below). We need to know your full name, number of occupants, check-in date and check-out date. Reservations must be received on or before June 15, 2021. Twenty- five (25) rooms have been blocked off for us. With a stay at Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport - Conv Ctr, in North Charleston, you'll be in the business district, a 4-minute walk from Charleston Tanger Outlets and a 2-minute drive from North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center. This hotel is 11.4 mi (18.3 km) from College of Charleston and 11.5 mi (18.5 km) from Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary (available 24 hours).

An itinerary is attached listing all of the major information relative to our 2021 Smith celebration. In an effort to host an affordable gathering, we are offering as much as we can, for as little as we can, with a strong emphasis on togetherness, oneness and maximizing family time. Our fees increased slightly for the adults; however, you are getting a lot of “bang” for your bucks through subsidized donations from family members and friends.

Reunion Fees: Ages 13 & up = $200.00 Ages 4-12 = $100.00 Ages 3 & under = Complimentary

(Deadline for reunion fees is June 30, 2021)

T-Shirt Prices: Child (XS - XL) = $10.00 Adult (S, M, L, XL) = $15.00 Adult (2X-4X) = $20.00

You don’t want to miss one minute of our 2021 Smith Family Reunion! Let us know how we can help you and your family attend this year. Again, we can't do this without you and look forward to seeing you in July.

We also request you share family photos with us; we would love to include in our “We Are One” video.

Additionally, let us hear about all your recognitions, honors, graduations, promotions, births, retirements, marriages, and awards. Please send all pictures and accomplishments to Carolyn Hamilton-Evans at chamevans@verizon.net by July 3rd.

Forms of payment are as follows:

1. Cashapp (8177031408), add 2.5% fee

2. Paypal, (paypal.me/aqhlove) add 2.5% fee

3. Zelle – Used by all major banks to transfer funds from account to account. Use phone number 817-703-1408 to send money, and make sure to type your name in the memo area. Then text Aisha and let her know the details.

4. Check – Please use the enclosed registration form. Make all checks or money orders payable to Smith Family reunion and mail directly to Aisha Hunter Riley at 1405 North Britain Road, Irving, TX 75061. Please be sure to put a phone number or an email address that you can be contacted for confirmation of receiving your check.

DO NOT SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL!!!

If you have any questions, please email us at chamevans@verizon.net or contact one of the committee officers:

George “Tiki” Norman, Host: 318-348-7593 or gentlemangeorge70@yahoo.com

Carolyn Hamilton-Evans, Co-Chair: 214-684-5553 or chamevans@verizon.net

Jacquie Hunter, Co-Chair: 817-703-1190 or jacquline.hunter@ymail.com

Aisha Hunter Riley, Treasurer: 817-703-1408, or aqhlove03@yahoo.com

We would like to enjoy this reunion with as many family members as possible so reach out to your parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, and cousins. We’re looking forward to seeing all of you in Charleston, SC!

As always, continue to pray for unity…and never, ever let the “Smith chain” gather dust. Links will become weak and break…we’ll repair those that are broken, replace those that are gone and as the Smith Family continues to press on, remember “We Are One . . .”

Love & Prayers,

Reunion Planning Committee