THE ORIGIN OF THE "J.G.R."
REUNION
-FULFILLING A PROMISE-

Archie Johnson, the second son
born to Adella and Albert Johnson in Sumpter
County, Emelle, Alabama. In 1974
Archie"s grandmother, Hanna Jones Giles had a
deep desire for the family to be reunited before
as she termed it: "Her head got
cold." (translated: Meaning before she died).
As a result, Archie began to make
this dream come true by gathering information
relating to the family's roots from various
sources. Archie begun his travels by first
stopping in Alabama to talk with Mrs. Lydia Ann
Taylor who was in her eighties. Archie,
later traveled thousands of miles across the
country talking with different individuals to compile
information. In addition, Archie made
several telephone calls during his travels and
over night stays in hotels and motels.
Nevertheless , on April 16,1976 his
grandmother passed before she could fulfill her
dream to see the family reunited. thus, Archie
made certain he fulfilled his grandmother's dream
by keeping the promise he had made to her while
she was in Sumpter Memorial Hospital in Livingston,
Alabama.
Consequently, less than a year
later, in September of 1977 the first JGR family
reunion was held in Birmingham, Alabama hosted by
Fannie and Columbus Hansberry. The Hansberry
planned a complete agenda for the family,
including food, festivities and
accommodations. Archie, presided at the
first meeting and met Grace Jones whom was the
oldest family member attending. After having
a friendly conversation with Grace, Archie took in
consideration his concerns for the date to be
changed to the second week in July. This would
allow for others to avoid holiday travel and also
allow for seniors to be able to be at home to receive
their mail during the first of the month.
Thereafter, Grace attended the
annual 3 day family reunion meetings across the
states until his death in 1985.