Published: August 16, 2006 11:22 pm      

A Posey family affair

Families recently traveled from near and far to attend the 78th Annual Family Reunion of the late Richard and Obedience Posey.

The reunion was held Aug. 5-6. There were 103 in attendance. Those that did attend came from Meridian, Philadelphia, Union and surrounding areas; out-of-state travelers came from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas and Kansas.

On the first day, the Philadelphia Neshoba Economic Development Association provided a bus tour of Philadelphia, historic homes, Mission Site Catholic Church in Tucker, Choctaw Indian Reservation, the Dancing Rabbit Golf Course and The Neshoba County Fairgrounds.

Later, there was a picnic at the Northside Park. The day ended with fishing at a cousin’s farm in his stocked bass lake.

The Neshoba Baptist Association in Philadelphia was the gathering place for the second day. This was the time for updating genealogy information and holding elections for new officers.

Many old friendships with close and distant aunts, uncles, cousins and friends were renewed. Stories and pictures were shared. There was plenty of bragging about our children’s ball games, school graduations, and weddings. The tables were full of good home-cooked foods for all to enjoy.

The Posey reunion started in the pasture of the late Amos and Amanda Posey in 1928. It was the result of many relatives traveling from other counties, towns and states to the Neshoba County Fair, “Mississippi’s Giant House Party.” Before they returned to their homes, they decided to have an all-day get-together at Amos’ house.

A few days later a “dinner-on-the-ground table” was set up in their “Big Pasture.” Early in the morning people arrived walking, in wagons and buggies, and in a few cars, until a big crowd assembled.

More than 200 families and friends came carrying a lunch so all could be together. The reunion was held at the homes of brothers Amos, John Thomas and Bruce Posey for several years then moved to the VFW in Philadelphia.

In 2000 it was moved to the Neshoba Baptist Association building in Philadelphia. The reunion was always held on the first Sunday in August.

Now is the time to make plans to attend in 2007. We need to bring attention to the fact that the date has been changed. Due to school schedules and life changes, it was decided to change the date to the third Sunday in July.

We regret that the notice was not in The Meridian Star before the reunion so more could have attended. We will place a notice next year before the reunion.