The Washington, DC Chapter would like to extend a special note of thanks
to every relative in attendance at the
2008 Armstead Family Reunion who helped make our vision a reality
It was our honor and privilege to serve on the Planning Committee.
We dedicated the reunion to the memory of our great grandfather, William Sim Armstead, Sr, the last direct descendant of Esquire and Rosetta. He is the founder of the Armstead Family Reunion which started in 1970. Back then, attendance at reunions was small.
The number of family members did not matter because those who were present understood the importance of creating a family
bond and vowed to never break it despite their distance or differences.
If you do not know your family, you do not know yourself...that's why reuniting with old and new family members is important.
Those in attendance in 1970 enjoyed a wonderful meal, shared family memories, took photos, and established new family bonds that have withstood the test of time. We are all blessed beneficiaries of that reunion and those bonds formed some 38 years ago in Birmingham, AL.
Today, we celebrate our family's love and unity from Hawaii to New York!
During the 1970 reunion, the highlight of the weekend
was reached during the presentation of the family colors.
Our great grandfather accepted the red ribbon in honor of his parents.
We thought it was fitting and appropriate to use this color prominently during our weekend activities in their honor. We encourage future reunion chapters to incoporate one of the 16 ribbon colors as part of their reunion festivities
to keep this Armstead tradition alive. We are proud to report direct descendants of Esquire’s children were present representing the lineage of Reuben, Lily, Emma, Lula, Ida, Esquire, Jr., William Sim, Alfred, and Ellis Armstead. One of the highlights of our 2008 weekend was capturing photographs of the descendants of Esquire's children who were present during the family picnic. We cannot wait to share these beautiful photos with you. We know our ancestors would have been proud of this loving gesture and our progress as a family. We hope the tradition of photographing descendants of each branch will continue during future Armstead reunions!
The family traveled to Washington, DC from the following states to reunite: Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia despite the country's difficult economic turmoil.
We first thank God for the blessings He has bestowed on the entire Armsetad family. We extend heartfelt thanks to the following relatives who shared expertise, time, advice, and most importantly love to help make
our bi-annual reunion a success:
Monica Fischer (OH) who recommended the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel and negotiated our room and banquet discounts;
Rev. Emmett G. Price III, PhD, (MA) for spiritual guidance prior to and during the reunion, officiating our Family Prayer Service, and playing the piano for our soloist during the banquet;
Elder Eugene Jenkins (OH) for spiritual guidance and prayer during hospitality night and the picnic;
James Hurst (CA) and Darcel Jenkins (IN)
for their melodic solos during the banquet;
Leo Gwinn (AZ) and Sheila Latham (AL)
for informative presentations on cancer awareness, health, and stewardship during the banquet;
Scott Willis (MD) for support, proofreading, running tireless errands for our chapter and picnic transportation;
Rosie Kerney (NY) who provided love, support, guidance,
plates, napkins, and utensils used during
hospitality night and the picnic;
Leanne Armstead (HI) for performing a
beautiful Hawaiian prayer dance
Thomas Felder, Esq. (MD) for legal advice and his presentation on the importance of having family by-laws; James Sanders, Jr. (MD) for graciously picking up relatives from BWI airport;
2008 Essay Contest Winner
Jordan A. Baptiste (MD)
who only missed one question on the SAT;
Detroit Chapter President, Dorothy Burks (AL),
for suggesting Washington, DC as a reunion location;
Los Angeles Chapter President, Carolyn Price, and Emmett Price, Jr. (CA) for encouragement, love, and support from the beginning;
Harry Lee (AZ) for donating the fabulous raffle gifts;
Ida L. Butler (GA) and W.D. Brooks (VA) for their generous donations to the DC Chapter; Larry Taylor (TX) for being so supportive of our website development and making a strong appeal for its continuation;
junior committee members, Alexandra and Adrianna Felder (MD) for selecting the color combinations for our hats and tees during our first planning meeting, and for working with cousin Brianna Jenkins (MD)
to welcome and play with their fellow little cousins during reunion weekend.
We would also like to thank our vendors for graciously welcoming our family to Washington, DC: Marriott Hotel event planners Ray Sirisakorn and Bernadette Sundy and the entire hotel staff; LaTonya Holland and the staff of Lefty’s Barbecue Unlimited, Inc. (DC’s Best Barbecue!); Channet Williams and Cindy Ellison for the beautiful fruit and vegetable platters;
the entire staff at Myevent.com; National Park Service staff;
Always Ready DJ’s, Inc.,
Charlie A. Williams, Sr. of Charlie's T-Shirts,
Keidi Henry at Kinkos of Annapolis, MD; Carolyn Wilkins at the DC Chamber of Commerce for our souvenir bags, and Katina Shivers-Lacey at Destination DC for the visitor guides.
A special note of thanks to those family members who will share their time and expertise on various subject matters as the official
Armstead Family Reunion
National Advisory Board.
The board was unanimously voted into service during the
2008 "State of the Family" business meeting.
The first meeting will be held in August to continue fruitful discussions started during the business meeting on steps we can take
to make our family reunions operate more efficiently.
Congratulations
2008-2010 Armstead National Advisory Board Volunteers
Lisa Armstead (IN)
Ida L. Butler (GA)
Tricia Kerney-Willis (MD)
Sheila Latham (AL)
Cynthia Lang (AL) 2010 Reunion President
Carolyn Armstead Price (CA)
Emmett G. Price, III, PhD (MA)
Shari Suleman-Jenkins (MD)
Larry Taylor (TX)
Teleia Whitt (AL)
The DC Chapter will share the financial report and minutes from the business meeting after a short but well-deserved break.
We want to give the family some time to unpack and submit photos.
Please check back next month for additional information.
Thank you and may God richly bless
and keep each of you until we meet again.
The Washington, DC
Armstead Family Reunion Planning Committee
Tricia Kerney-Willis (MD)
President & Banquet Chairperson
Shari Jenkins Suleman (MD)
Treasurer & Picnic Chairperson
Melodie Jenkins Felder (MD)
Secretary
Jacqueline Stallworth (VA)
Activities
Scott Willis (MD) & James Sanders (MD)
Transportion Coodinators
