The story of the Fletcher Reunion

The Fletcher Family Reunion can be traced back to the early 1930's, when the 12 children of Willie Wilson and Emma Perry Fletcher began gathering on the first Sunday in June to celebrate Emma's June 6th, 1885 birthday at the Fletcher Homeplace, which once stood along Fletcher's Chapel Road in east Durham County. Over the years, as the family continued to grow, the birthday gathering moved to nearby Fletcher's Chapel United Methodist Church (which was named after and established on land given by Willie's grandfather, Wiley Fletcher, in 1825). In the mid-1970's, the annual gathering moved to the Oak Grove Ruritan Club on Stallings Rd. Emma Fletcher, by this time residing with her daughter, Grace Chauncey, in Lake Waccamaw, NC, attended her final birthday gathering on June 5th, 1983, one day before her 98th birthday. Declining health precluded her trip to Durham for her 99th birthday celebration. Just a month after that gathering, sadness visited the Fletcher family as Emma's sixth child, Johnny Vernon Fletcher, died at the age of 73 (Her third child, William Oland Fletcher, passed away in 1977 at age 70). On March 21st, 1985, Emma Perry Fletcher went home to be with her Lord and Saviour after a long and fruitful life. She was survived by ten of her 12 children, 28 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and even a few great-great grandchildren, many of whom gathered at Fletcher's Chapel the following Saturday morning as Emma was laid to rest beside family patriarch Willie in the church's cemetery. Sadness came to the family again one month after Emma's death as her son, Elvis, succumbed to cancer at the age of 75. Still, on June 2nd, 1985, the family again gathered at the Ruritan Club and the Fletcher Family Reunion continued as it has to this day. With the exception of our 2001 gathering (which was held in the Oak Grove Athletic Association's gymnasium due to a scheduling conflict), all reunions since were held in the Oak Grove Ruritan Club through 2007. At the 2007 reunion, rising costs and restrictions on the use of the facility's kitchen forced a decision on a new meeting place for 2008. A vote was taken to move the reunion back to Flecther's Chapel United Methodist Church in 2008.

Recognition of Willie and Emma's Children and Their Families

In welcoming attendees to the reunion, the president recognizes, generally in birth order, each of Willie and Emma's 12 children. Either the child (if living) or another spokesperson will introduce members of their family in attendance, in addition to guests and other family news (births, deaths, graduations, et cetera). The birth order of the 12 children is:

Nominations

Each year, the Fletcher family nominates and elects a Vice President and a treasurer for the next year. The newly elected vice president moves into the Reunion's presidency two years after having been nominated/elected and one year after serving as vice president. Any member of the family is eligible to serve and renominations are acceptable if the person renominated agrees to run.

Collection

A monetary collection is made at each reunion to provide for eating utensils, napkins and plates. The current year's treasurer counts the money, gives a report and is responsible for the money between reunions.

Lunch

Family members are encouraged to bring their favorite meat, vegetable or casserole dish and/or a dessert. When choosing a dish to bring, consideration should be given to the fact the dish will be placed on a table with other dishes at room temperature. Plates, cups, napkins and utensils are provided for out of the Reunion's collection fund.

Family Photo Albums

Grace Fletcher Chauncey has put together two large photo albums of the family, with pictures from the late ninteenth century to the present. Sections feature the extended families of all twelve children. If you would like photos included, mail them to Grace Chauncey, P.O. Box 65, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450.

The 2009 Reunion

The 2009 Fletcher Reunion will be held on Sunday, June 7th, 12:30 p.m. at Fletcher's Chapel United Methodist Church. Officers are as follows:

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