Our Reunion History
The Lawrence Family Reunion has become a part of our recent family history. The Lawrence Family Reunion as we know it today got started by the inspiration of Betty Wilson of Lakeland, Florida. Betty is the daughter of Maybelle (Lawrence) Farrior. Betty wanted to get together with her family, some of whom she had not met and did not know. She did know Ethel Williams, so she got on the telephone, asked Ethel to get in touch with the family and invite them to a family dinner and get-together. Family members came from Winter Haven, Belle Glade, Lakeland, Tampa, Bartow and other points in Florida. Several persons brought covered dishes and we got together one Saturday afternoon and had a great time, meeting new family members and getting reacquainted with others. This first Lawrence Family Reunion was held in Lakeland, Florida in 1980, at the Coleman-Bush Community Center. We vowed then and there that we would continue with the work that Betty started.
The next year, 1981, the Reunion was held in Winter Haven, Florida at the Northeast Community Center and was hosted by Markene Henry, Maxine McKinstry and Leroy Graham. We agreed to have the Reunion every other year.
1983 – The Reunion was held in Washington, D.C., hosted by Rey Oliver, Al Powell and their families. Ethel Williams was named Reunion Chairperson. Every 4 th weekend in July in the odd year was established as the official Reunion date.
1985 – Bartow, Florida was the location of the 4th Lawrence Family Reunion. It was hosted by Ethel Williams and Rose Chicquita Broome. The family enjoyed a banquet on Friday at the Davis Bros. Motor Lodge in Bartow and had a picnic lunch on Saturday at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, FL. The day after the reunion, several family members went on a one-day cruise from the Port of Tampa .
1987 – The 5th Reunion was held in Sarasota, Florida and was hosted by Robert Robinson and Letha McCloud, assisted by Ethel Williams and Rose Chicquita Broome. The family gathered on the beach in beautiful Longboat Key.
1989 – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida was the site of the 6th Lawrence Family Reunion, hosted by Margaret Harden and her son Joe Harden.
1991 – Maxine McKinstry, Markene Henry, Lourdis Carlton (wife of Willie Carlton) and their families hosted the 7th Family Reunion, held beautiful Grenelefe Resort and Country Club near Haines City ( Winter Haven area), Florida. A Family photo album was started by Maxine and Markene.
1993 – We were back in Washington, D.C. for the 8 th Lawrence Family Reunion, hosted by the families of Rey Oliver, Mark Christopher, Larry McCoy (son of Hilda McCoy), Denise Bass Williamson (daughter of Joan Powell Bass), and Priscilla Williams-Ragland. The family picnic was held on the prestigious Andrews Air Force Base. This is the Base where the United States President’s airplane, Air Force One, lands. (It did not land while we were there.)
1995 – The 9th Lawrence Family Reunion was held in West Palm Beach, Florida, hosted by Joan Powell Bass, Mary Powell Brown, Al Powell, Denise Bass Williamson, and their families. We enjoyed a banquet in West Palm Beach and traveled to Belle Glade for the picnic. The beginnings of the Family History was read and the seed was planted to write this book.
1997 – Held in Tampa, Florida, hosted by the families of Clarence Williams, Myron Williams (son of Ernestine Williams Carr), Leonard Oliver, and Gina Sanderson (daughter of Ernestine Williams Carr). The Reunion headquarters hotel was on the beautiful Tampa/Clearwater Causeway and the family enjoyed a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry and a dinner cruise on a ship that sailed out of the Port of Tampa.
1999 – Orlando, FL was the location of the Reunion in 1999. Hosted by Shawn Oliver (son of Leonard Oliver), Shoiney Oliver (daughter of Leonard Oliver), and Torres Reed (son of Lewis Williams, Jr.), and their families. The Family had a great time in Orlando along the famous International Drive. We picnicked at Turkey Lake Park. Some family members enjoyed the Wet n’ Wild Water Park and others visited Disney’s Pleasure Island. During the picnic some of the more energetic family members played volley ball. Leonard Oliver and Clarence Williams were referees. There was much fun, much cheating and many bad calls. Both teams won.
2001 – The 12th Lawrence Family Reunion was held in Cleveland, OH, hosted by Daisy Smith, Rosalind Smith (niece of Joe Christopher, Sr.), Jethina Bell, Hilda McCoy, Larry McCoy and their families. The family stayed at the Hilton Hotel overlooking the beautiful city of Cleveland. The banquet on Friday night was par excellence. The program was entertaining and we all had a good time at the party after the banquet. On Saturday, we all gathered in a beautiful park for a picnic, complete with a live band for our listening pleasure. To show off the talent in our family, the “Four Tops and the Lid” (Mark Christopher, Larry McCoy, Rosalind Smith and Company) entertained us by singing “oldies but goodies” as well as some of the latest hits. The most memorable renditions were “My Girl” and “We are Family”. The hospitality room was well stocked and there was always someone there to socialize, “tell lies” and fraternize. The most memorable part of the 2001 reunion was the camaraderie among family members. It was one of the best reunions we’ve had.
2003 – Held in Clearwater, FL, hosted by Rey Oliver, Clarence Williams, Leonard Oliver, Gina Sanderson, and their families. The family picnicked on the beautiful white beaches of Clearwater and enjoyed a dinner cruise. There were more than 90 family members in attendance.
2005 – Held in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and hosted by Joan Bass, Mary Powell Brown, Al Powell. We all had a great time in Ft. Lauderdale. Friday night was a “getting re-acquainted” buffet dinner. We played a “Family Trivia” game, which was won by Denzel Rhodes, grandson on Johnny (Bubba) Farrior. On Saturday, some family members played golf and some went bowling. At the business meeting, family officers were elected: treasurer – Rey Oliver, secretary – Markene Henry, assistant secretary – Sharon Henry, and assistant treasurer – Denise Bass.
2007 – The 15th Lawrence Family Reunion is to be held in Winter Haven, FL, hosted by Maxine McKinstry and Markene Henry Conroy and their families. AND THE TRADITION CONTINUES. STAY TUNED FOR PART III.
“ROLL THE CLOCK FORWARD”
2025 – The 2025 Lawrence Family Reunion be held in beautiful Orlando, FL, hosted by family members that live in the Orlando metropolitan area AND THE TRADITION CONTINUES. STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE INFORMATION.