The first Davis family reunion was held in 1970 in Bruce and has continued for the past 50 years.
That tradition will go on this year as the 50th is set for October 24, 2020.
Oscar G. Davis was killed in a car/train accident January 12, 1940, which left his widow, Florence Wilson Davis, 41, with 11 children.
Oscar was preceded in death by son, Sam, 26, who was killed in a logging accident in 1936.
When their family matriarch, Florence, 69, passed away on December 31, 1969, her children were grown and scattered in several different states with their families. Everyone traveled to Bruce to honor this very strong woman, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
They vowed that day they would not wait until someone else died before they all gathered again.
What began as a Sunday afternoon “get together” has turned into a two day event including entertainment and games for the kids--the most popular being the annual hayride, with the kids and adults looking forward to the event.
The Davises’ youngest son, John, only three months old, when his father passed, is now 81 and the patriarch of the family. He now lives in Calhoun City.
When he was asked what he would like to do for their 50th reunion, he said, “I would like for us all to be able to drive around the square, like we did in the good old days and include our hayride.”
“Thanks to the cooperation of Mayor Rudy Pope and Police Chief Tony Sockwell, We have been granted permissions to have a parade around the square in Bruce on Saturday Oct. 24 at 6 pm. We will be escorted by Bruce Police Department,” said family member Pat Culver.
John will be the Grand Marshal of their parade.
“There is also no doubt that our family members who made that vow so many years ago will be riding in that parade with us and beaming with pride that we have honored them by carrying on this family tradition for 50 years in a row. We are pretty proud ourselves,” she said.
“We had hoped this year would be our biggest reunion ever, but because of unforeseen circumstances, it may be the smallest, but definitely our most memorable. There is no doubt all of the people who won’t be able to attend will be with us in spirit. They will also be on our minds, in our hearts and our prayers,” she said.
“All relatives and friends are invited to stop by and social distance with us,” said John.