JOYMOUNTAIN: The Swanns...Birds of a Feather Flock Together...

May is the time of year that Swanns gather in Wood County, Texas to celebrate our family. For the last few years we have met at the Sharon Baptist Church. Doris Swann Woodard, Toodle( Terry), Worm ( Ronnie ) Swann and Melissa Woodard are the latest Swanns to take on the task of preparation for our big event. There is much behind the scenes work that must be done to make our reunion happen. Our thanks to them for the festive decorations, fantastic food, great auction and wonderful day! I would also like to give recognition and thanks to all the past years of hard work done by many family members...starting with the brothers and sisters....to ensure our family unity stays intact. Does anyone remember when we started this? The first one I remember was at Hogg State Park in Quitman I think. That was in about....1974? I remember Missy was a baby and sat in Uncle Vern's lap most of the day. That would have been about 35 or so years ago. If anyone knows the answer to that or any past reunion info email me and I will update that...
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You can click on each picture to enlarge it and if you want

a copy ...right click on the picture and save to your computer

Our festive decorations that were perfect for the day.

Cinco de Mayo

Swanns began to trickle in mid- morning and around noon we were ready to begin our feast. This year we had chicken and beef fajitas with all the fixin's, hot dogs from the grill, taco salad, black eyed pea salad, coconut cake, fresh strawberry pie, peanut butter fudge and mini cheesecakes. We had lemonade, cold drinks and delish sweet tea! What did I leave out? It was a feast fit for Swanns. :)

Lining up for our feast

Not only were we busy savoring each delicious bite, we were also enjoying some time of fellowship with each other. Each year some of us are missing in action due to schedules or illness and reunion time is such a nice way to catch up.

Brub ( Gerald Wayne), Uncle Dorman
and Aunt Mary

Larry, Reggie, Aunt Fran and Aunt Mary

Julie, Brub's wife and Uncle Eugie

Uncle Dorman, Will Burke and Aunt Mary

I was our roving photographer of course...and managed to get some family shots...

Jennifer and Jerry

Sherry and Lori

Kay and Laney

Vickie and Reg

Uncle Eugie and Elaine

When Swanns get together the first thing you notice is how many

Swann Beauties we have.. God certainly blessed our family when it comes to

the looks department. Regardless if they are Swanns by blood or Swanns of our hearts we thank God for the beauty that graces our family. So let's give tribute to our Swann Beauties. ( I wish I had more...next year ya'll hunt me down so I can get your picture.)

Aunt Joy Swann Walsh

Sherry Lynn Walsh

Daughter of Aunt Joy

Lori Walsh

Daughter of Aunt Joy

Brenda Swann Llewallen

Daughter of Aunt Jo and Uncle Vern Swann

Vickie Swann

wife of Reggie Swann

Aunt Fran Swann

wife of Uncle Eugie

Aunt Mary Swann

Wife of Uncle Dorman Swann

Doris Swann Woodard

Daughter of Uncle Jelly ( Gerald) and Aunt Bugs ( Marie) Swann

Elaine Swann Abbott

Daughter of Uncle Eugene and Aunt Fran Swann

Monica Llewallen Carpenter
Daughter of Brenda Swann Llewallen

Jennifer
Daughter of Donnie and Pat Swann

If anyone else got reunion pics would you please send them to me...and I will update
this post with them.
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In our handsome Swann men category ( by birth or the heart) I have a few pics

Larry Abbott...married to Elaine Swann and
Reggie Swann

Brub and Uncle Dorman Swann

Eugie Swann
Our most senior Swann at the family reunion

Jerry Swann
Son of Donnie and Pat Swann

Dustin....son of Vickie Swann

Monica's son Grayson... clearly the winner

The Auction

Every year we hold a really fun auction to raise funds for our next reunion. Toodle (Terry) was our auctioneer again this year and did a fantastic job. We had some great items donated. A little reminder not to forget each year to bring things that can be auctioned for our fundraiser. A big family THANKS to all those who brought great items including crosses, jewelry, framed heirloom pictures of Mama and Papa Swann...love the little trailer birdhouse...and all the home made jams and relishes. I did some fancy bidding myself to get two jars of Doris' homemade strawberry jelly. ;)

Let the bidding begin!

Terry Lee ( Toodle) Our Auctioneer

Uncle Dorman outbids to get a framed picture of Mama and Papa Swann and

Uncle Eugie has lots of jars of home made squash pickles from Aunt Joy and

homemade strawberry jalapeno jelly from Doris.

Auction Energy

After the Auction it is time for a family group shot. Everyone is so agreeable and helpful when it comes to family photo time. hint hint ;) Your photographer appreciates that.