Simmons Family Reunion 2014

"Remember, as far as everyone knows, we're a nice, normal family"

The Simmons Family Reunion was held at Woodlawn Family Life Center in Columbia, Mississippi on June 21st, 2014. Several of our Simmons relatives were present that day. It had been 11 years since our last reunion so there was a lot of "catching up" to do. We truly enjoyed our fellowship with each other. 

The Bourgoyne Family- (yes, that's my bunch!).  Charles, Ryan, Cherie, Susan (me)  & Crissy

My daughter, Cristina with husband, Ryan Curry & their children, Matthew & Nathan

Me with my brother, Frank Jr.

Nathan and I 

Children of Sam & Darla Broom

Sam & Darla with their children

Left: Crissy & Ryan; Right: Tim & Cookie Simmons

Showing off photos: Tammy Simmons (in pink) with Aunt Gertie and  Joey

My brother Tony was greeted by our cousin, Pam

Dena with daughter,  "J.J." and husband, Tony

My sister, Sandy & her daughter, Lennae

It appears these two (Cookie and Aunt Helen Simmons) had quite an interesting conversation going...

Uncle Elton  had to get into the story too.  Actually he was trying to harass me ;)

Aunt Helen sharing chat with Sandy while Aunt Ethel is looking elsewhere 

Cousin Elaine (Herrin Knight)

Darla & Sam's sons in deep conversation with their Uncle Mike

Tammy & Aunt Joyce (Thornhill Simmons)

Four Generations: Aunt Gertie with daughter, Debbie, GD Meichelle & Darla,  GGD Ashley

Aunt Gertie & Uncle James Wiginton

Joshua (Thornhill) with son, Mason

Joshua & his wife, Jessica

I love these good people- Aunt Helen & Uncle Elton

My brother, Tony with daughter J.J.

Tim & his daughter, Jessica

Sisters Pam & Lucretia  (Powell)

Sisters- Meichelle & Darla

Group conversation between Dad, Dwayne, Tony, Debbie & Dena

More conversation with Sam, Dwayne, Cherie, Tony, Dena & Mike

Cell phone business between Sarah Jean (Simmons Wilson) & daughter Ciera

It was getting a little loud in there...

There's Sarah Jean & Ciera again

J.J. looks pretty comfortable in her Mom's lap

These two look like they want to be up to no good- they often are!  Frank Jr and cousin, Jerry (Jones)

Can't you just see the mischievousness spilling from him?

Crissy & her Dad

Cookie & Aunt Joyce

Tony, Frank Jr, Charlie, Me, Dena & Dad

Aunt Ethel & Mike 

The Old Oilfield Gang (so named by Uncle Elton)

They thought their oilfield jokes were pretty funny

Couples- Dwayne & Debbie Ward, Meichelle & Mike Knoblock

Fun times in the gym

Passing the ball

Ashlynn gets a little assistance from her dad, Sam

Let's Eat!

There was enough food available for a small army!

A great variety of main courses, sides and dessert- it was truly delicious!

Aunt Ethel made sure to get plenty (hard to believe this little woman ate all that!)

Debbie made a comeback after someone's sarcastic but funny comment (was probably Tony or Uncle Elton)

Let's keep the line moving!

What a long line it was too!

After the family dinner, there was much work to be done- thank goodness for the great help!

Wonderful memories were made that day.  Let's not wait so long for another family reunion- life escapes us and sometimes we let get so lost in it that we forget to spend time with our loved ones. 

Remember, other things may change us, 

but we start and end with family.

Simmons Family Reunion 2016

Our Simmons Family Reunion was held on June 18th, 2016 at the Woodlawn Family Life Center located on Highway 98 in Columbia, MS.  Arrangements for the reunion were made by Pamela Powell Boleware.  Several of the women assisted with food arrangements and clean-up including Pamela Powell Boleware, Debbie Powell Ward, Helen Simmons, Gertie Simmons Wiginton, Lucretia Powell Vinet and Peggy Sturrock.  It was a wonderful event and precious time spent with family, particularly those we don't see often enough.  

Aunt Gertie Simmons (Wiginton) & Timmy Simmons

Uncle Elton Simmons with old friend, Jimmy McCraw who we haven't seen in numerous years

Susie Simmons (Ponder) & husband, Chris

Mary Ellen Simmons (Pepper) & daughter, Lauren Pepper

Teresa Ann Morgan (Simmons) & Sylvia Elaine Herrin (Knight)

Sandy made the comment that when we see Aunt Peggy, she usually has her mouth wide open ;)  We love her!

Pamela Powell (Boleware) was assisting a couple of young girls with the family guest book

Uncle Elton poking fun at me and acting silly...crazy man!

Aunt Ethel Powell and Shirley Swafford (Powell)

Susie, Chris and Mary Ellen seated while Tony Powell made loud conversation with them.

There's no telling what was coming out of Tony's mouth.  Susie was trying to ignore him.

Susie was thinking, "Somebody just shoot me and get me away from him!"  LOL

Elaine, Aunt Gertie & Debbie share what appears to be interesting conversation- guess I missed out.

Timmy and his mother, Aunt Joyce Thornill (Simmons)

Jimmy & Peggy in deep conversation

I'd love to know what these three were whispering about.  Frank Powell Jr, Frank Powell Sr and Charlie Bourgoyne

Aunt Ethel laughed when I told her I could see the bottom of her coffee cup.  She loves her coffee weak, weak, weak.

Elaine and Cookie (Teresa Morgan Simmons)

Tony found another cousin he could annoy- Darla Gay Broom

Cookie & Timmy (with one of their grandchildren) & Aunt Joyce

Andrew Simmons and his girlfriend Caitlin

Aunt Gertie with son, Matthew Wiginton and his wife, Cindy 

Darla signs the guest book

Lennae (Helveston) with her boyfriend, Chris Amundson

Sisters Pam, Debbie & Lucretia

My sister, Sandy (Powell) wrapped up in conversation with Aunt Peggy

Andrew & Caitlin

Looking at photos on cell phone- Jason Simmons with his mother, Cookie

Beverage table

A few salads and desserts

That looks like some good chicken!  Helena

Helena enjoyed the cold drink better than the chicken!

Jessica Turak (Thornhill) and daughter wait in line at the meat/veggie table

Uncle Elton appeared to be trying to give advice to one of the youngsters- he's good at that.

Forgive me but I don't remember all the children's names- I need clarification on this.

Jason with his daughters

The children spent much of their time in the church gym.  

Our 2016 gang!

My FAVORITE PHOTO from this year's reunion- Uncle Elton, Aunt Gertie & Elaine.

I'm Back!

It's hard to believe that it's been nearly 4 YEARS since I last posted here.  WOW! Where does the time go?  Life keeps us so busy that time slips away before we realize it.  During the 4 years of my absence I've developed other interests such as photography, bird watching and creating a few books (self-published through Blurb, Inc.) of my travels and photography.  I created a blog to share my nature photography- it can be viewed at www.susanlovesnature.blogspot.com.  

This year I've had a couple of health issues that required surgical intervention (joint and back problems), therefore I've had more time off work than ordinary.  I'll soon have a lumbar laminectomy so I'll be confined to home for a few more weeks.  I decided to use some of this time to redesign this blog and update some of my family histories.  I'm going to strive to give more of my attention to family research and hopefully resolve some of the issues that have created confusion among many of my fellow family historians.  I've received several emails regarding these issues so I hope to find some answers soon.  

Thanks for all of your help and support in prior and present years- it is greatly appreciated!