2018 Counts Family Reunion Meeting Minutes

77th Counts Family Reunion

August 4, 2018

Minutes

The 77th Counts Family Reunion was held on August 4, 2018 at the Sandlick Presbyterian Church in Birchleaf, Virginia, combined with the Sutherland/Dye Reunions.  President Davine Miller presided and gave the welcome and opened with prayer. Cliff Mahone led the Pledge of Allegiance and Mary Queta Smithson and Pam Sutherland led the singing of “America the Beautiful” accompanied on piano by Katherine Fuller.   The Reunion was well attended by @ 60 people and several were 1st time attendees, with some traveling from Colorado, Texas, Ohio, and the Carolinas.

Gail Marney, secretary/treasurer, covered the old business of fencing John Counts gravesite at Glade Hollow.  The cost and upkeep were deemed too expensive and the owner Danny Yates ‘really did not want it fenced’ due to mowing/weeding issues.  He felt, he is too elderly to handle it and we want to respect his wishes. The Yates are very generous with visitation at the gravesite and we thank them for supporting the reunion.   New business of the meeting place for next year’s reunion was discussed and 3 sites presented for consideration.(the Presbyterian Church in Sandlick, The Breaks Park and the Community Center in Clintwood)  It was voted to rent a pavillion at the Breaks Interstate Park for next years Reunion, which will be held on August 3, 2019. It was voted to donate $100 for the upkeep of the Counts Cemetery in Cleveland, Virginia, and the deed was also discussed.  Billy Counts is to follow up with Ann Clements on possible help with this issue. It was decided to contribute $150 to the church for generously donating their space this year. We only ‘passed the hat’ for the reunion collection and it covered both the church donation and the reunion.  $281.75 was collected.

A brief talk on E. J. Sutherland was given by Gail Marney and recognition of past president, Monika Fleming being presented the Long Leaf Pine Award (the highest civilian honor in North Carolina)and her husband, Martin Fleming, being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.   Davine Miller conducted a moment of silence for those who were missing this year. The faithful attendees of past reunions who have passed on included, Maxine Fuller, Norm Peyton,Richard Brunson, and Maxine Fuller. They were sorely missed by everyone. Billy Counts passed out information on genealogy and helped people discover connections.  Billy will be collecting family deaths/births/marriages, etc. to continue the work begun by E.J. Sutherland. Phyllis Raker Counts sent several handouts and suggestions on researching roots. We hope she is feeling better and that we will see her next year. Charlie and Patty Conner handled book sales of E. J. Sutherland’s works. Patty Conner and Liza Byers are tireless workers and supporters of the reunion.  David Ratliff was thanked for his help setting up the Reunion.

Luke Esquivel was the youngest at 9 years old and Autumn Duncan was the youngest female at 13.  Gifts were provided for children under 12. The oldest attendee was Madeline Kerr at 90. The furthest group was Linda Counts Duncan and her niece, Jessica Willingham,  from Colorado and Guy Sutherland had the largest family group of 9 from Texas. Danny Powers was the oldest veteran and was presented with a flag that was flown over the capitol.  A raffle was conducted for prizes which included a beautiful hand stitched quilt and framed photos and other items. Autumn Duncan sang gospel songs and Randy Miller gave the prayer before we enjoyed a magnificent feast.  

After lunch Sam Sutherland and friends played bluegrass music and entertained the crowd.  

Submitted by Gail Marney

Secretary/treasurer