Lexington family celebrates milestone reunion
Siblings Lula Pittman (left), Etta White and Lewis Michael are the oldest members of the Michael, Lopp and Brummell families. Their ages are 98, 108 and 99, respectively. {Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
With a variety of Al Green songs such as “Love & Happiness, Let’s Stay Together and God Blessed Our Love” serving as the theme, the Michael, Lopp and Brummell families celebrated their 95th reunion during the last weekend in June. Among the festivities were a meet and greet, a banquet and collective attendance at the family’s home church, Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church.
At 99 years old, Lewis Michael has a robust roledex of reunion memories. When he was a child, he recalled the annual gathering taking place either at the church or the family farm on Old Highway 52. Michael noted “a lot of people used to come because things weren’t integrated then and we didn’t have anywhere else to go.” To combat shifting priorities of families, he encourages young people to attend “to learn their history and in remembrance of their parents and grandparents.”
Phyllis Curry-Spencer served as the Mistress of Ceremony at the banquet on Saturday, June 24 held at First Baptist Church. Providing comic relief and facts, she recognized multiple family members in attendance including those who were from out of state, a cousin who comes to visit every year from Ohio, a cancer survivor and a sharp dresser.
Lexington Mayor Jason Hayes was invited to share some thoughts. Hayes stated “The reason you’ve been here for 95 years is because family is important. At the end of the day, that’s all you have, To the older generation, thank you for the being the leaders of your family.”
After a brief recital of family history, a candle was lit in memory of family members who have passed. Then Curry-Spencer recognized the oldest and youngest members of each branch of the family. The children were given Bibles. Louise Miller, Dollie Reid, Betty Ann Cunningham, Etta White, Lula Pittman, Mattie Terry and Michael were acknowledged for being 90 years old or older. White is the oldest member of the family at 108. Pittman, who is 98, told the crowd, “Let’s stay together and the Lord will bless us all.”
The evening concluded with dinner and a keynote address from Rev. Paul Milton.
All photos are by Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart for Davidson Local.
