Reubin Thompson Memorial Foundation, Inc. Update

Kemp, Georgia                                                                        November 2017

Including: Beasley, Coleman, Flanders, Hall, Hooks, Kea, Kirkland, Kitchen(s), Lumley, Moore, Riner, Rowell, Scott, Smith, Sumner, Thigpen, Webb, Youngblood & more

Hi family members,

Perhaps you are wondering why you have not gotten a follow-up email.  Unfortunately, our Brunswick home was flooded by Irma.  Repairs have meant we have been living in an apartment for two months.  We are exhausted by the packing, cleaning and so forth.

The 60th Reunion, however, went off just as planned!  The Gospel Quartet was very moving and professional.  Then on Sunday, we heard from various family members about the history of the foundation.  Rhetta Pittman told of how her father, Reginald Thompson, played a vital role in organizing the reunion and tending to legal matters.  He continued as an officer for many years.  Clarke Johnson told us about his father Buster’s long tenure as president.  Bill T. Akers discussed his grandfather’s term as president [with props] and his mother Donell’s service on the Board of Directors.  Garland Thompson of Douglas told us about Ruby Thompson King, the association’s first president and true founder.  I told of how my grandfather, George A. Thompson, played a vital role in the first reunion by providing Ruby with names and addresses.  We have much to celebrate!

Now, what is our future???  Thanks to the Culver Trust and other generous donations over the years, we very secure as to our finances.  However, what we need is people!!  Attendance this year was not very good and children and young people were not numerous.  They are vital if we are to continue.  Also, we need family members to step up and offer to help with the association, either as a leader or in a smaller role.  Make suggestions for next year to any board member or officer.  The first step is a Face Book page.  Who could do this?  Our cousin Wanda Scarboro took photos during Sunday’s events and they should be available for family members to see.

Finally, the hurricane flooding did not damage my genealogical information, thankfully.  But it does mean that the family history I was hoping to publish soon will be delayed.  It is not too late to send me an update on your branch of the family.  Because of the tremendous size of our Thompson family, I cannot include the other allied Lines in this project.  I am including the parents’ names of those who marry into the family, where known.

Thanks to all who attended this year.  Everyone, have a warm and special thanksgiving!!

Newsletter editor & family historian:

Marilyn M. Lear                                                        BackRiver@comcast.net

4106 Riverside Drive                                                 912-265-5916

Brunswick, GA  31520

Officers & Directors: Philip Stephens, President, Clarke Johnson, Treasurer, Bill T. Akers, Lucille Braswell,  Bo George, Marilyn Lear, Andy Thompson, Rev. Clarence Thompson, Robert Thompson, and Martha Walker.