HOW IT ALL BEGAN

SUMMER OF 1982

On Sunday morning the family worshiped together at Cherry Hill Baptist Church. Thanking God for bringing them together, praising God for blessing the family and giving Him honor for his mercy and grace. As the weekend ended, it was then that Mozell, Evella and William Henry made a promise that the three of them would see to it that the Sizemore Family would get together yearly for the Sizemore Family Reunion.

William Henry and Mozell paid a visit to Clarksville, Virginia. It was actually William Henry’s first time renewing his acquaintance with his family since he was a child. You can imagine the excitement that he must have felt when meeting so many of his relatives and the overwhelming love being sent from heart to heart. For a young man who hadn’t seen his relatives from down south in many years, this was an exceptional treat. Enough so that he was compelled to suggest to his cousin Evella and Aunt Mozell that the family continue to unite each year if possible so that, in his words “we wouldn’t lose the family ties”. 

The family time that William Henry and Mozell spent in Clarksville in that summer of 1982 was not a formal family reunion but it was still treated as such. There was plenty of food, fun, laughter and GOD. God had truly shown his presence in the midst of the family that summer because the family has united yearly every since. Matthew 18:20 says "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."  

Evella, Mozell, Eugene, Galvin, Ophelia, Uncle George, Aunt Mae, Ervin, Dean and William Henry put their heads together and made plans to start a family reunion on a continuous basis. They called the names and locations of all the family members that they had not seen in a long time, wondered how to get in touch with them, and gloried in the joy of how wonderful it would be to see them again. The planning started one evening when they were together reminiscing about old times when they were younger and telling some very funny stories to go along with the memories. Their plans included having the family together to have meals, playing games, attending church and spending family time together.  

It was decided that the first family reunion would be held in New Jersey in 1983. New Jersey was selected because it appeared to be the midway point for all the family to meet. After Evella and William Henry researched hotel costs in the Jersey area, it was decided that costs must be taken into consideration since this was the start of the first Sizemore Family Reunion. Without any hesitation, and discussion with Aunt Mozell, they all agreed that Clarksville, Virginia was the most appropriate place to hold the reunion since this was where the family originated in the first place. With the three of them being in agreement, Clarksville became the new location for the first Sizemore Family Reunion to be held in the summer 1983. 

The first Sizemore Family Reunion was held at the home of Mrs. Eugene Watkins. Sizemore decedents from near and far gathered in her backyard for what would be the beginning of family history. It was just a joy see all the family members together, laughing, talking about the old times, and sharing their past with the young family members. As more and more family member came, a roar of excitement could be heard throughout Clarksville, Virginia. So much love, so much joy and laughter, and everybody talking out loud at the same time. 

A “DJ” played soul music (James Brown, Sam Cook, Joe Tex, Curtis Mayfield, The Isley Brother and many more); and without a doubt, there were some heads bobbing and some feet stomping.   

Before the food was served, the family gathered in song and prayer. There was plenty of good food prepared by the family. Everyone brought their favorite dish to Aunt Eugene’s house. There was fried chicken, potato salad, collard greens, string beans, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, black-eyed peas, corn on the cob, cakes, pies, watermelon, and sweet iced tea and Kool-Aid to quench your thirst.  

On Sunday morning the family worshiped together at Cherry Hill Baptist Church. Thanking God for bringing them together, praising God for blessing the family and giving Him honor for his mercy and grace. As the weekend ended, it was then that Mozell, Evella and William Henry made a promise that the three of them would see to it that the Sizemore Family would get together yearly for the Sizemore Family Reunion.

A quote from Evella: “I believe a family reunion is a time to express your love for one another, share experiences and ideas, and strive to keep the family heritage a legacy for the family's future generations.”

The End