Wfate Volume 1 2003 Number 1

A "focus" is a center of activity or ALL ROADS LEAD attention. It is a point at which energy TO RICHMOND and interest are directed and from which JULY 24-27,2003 rays emerge. As such, members of the committee felt that the term was an All roads lead to Richmond, Virginia appropriate one for the title of the family for the Tenth Biennial White Family newsletter. It is hoped that the newsletter Reunion to be held July 24-27, 2003, at will be a family focus and will become the Omni Richmond Hotel. This will be central to the fabric of the family. the first White family reunion held in the United States since 1997. With less than The purposes of the newsletter are to five months to go until the reunion, the provide a forum through which family planning committee is hard at work to members can be informed and stay in make this one of the largest and most touch, to share family heritage and create engaging White family gatherings ever. connections, and to document family history as it is happening. These Among the activities planned is a purposes can best be served if all family screening of the film Honour Before members assert ownership and respon- Kyra Patterson, right, in the D.C. marathon Glory (based on the World War I diary of sibility for the newsletter by submitting . (See Relative Tidbits, page 5) William Andrew White) with a talk by articles and suggestions as requested filmmaker Anthony Sherwood. A myriad below. of activities, including a family round ARTICLES AND TOPICS table, museum tours, and a family ZION BAPTIST CHURCH INVITED FOR NEWSLETTER auction, will capture the imagination of NOTE CARDS AVAILABLE persons of all ages. Family members will Family members are asked to submit also have the opportunity to participate in articles for the newsletter as well as to Note cards with the picture of Zion Homecoming Services at Zion Baptist suggest topics that might be covered in Baptist Church, King and Queen County, Church in King and Queen County, the upcoming issues. We are also seeking Virginia, are now available for purchase. White family home church. news items and photographs for Andrew and Isabella White were among inclusion. Therefore, please advise us of the founders of Zion in 1869. The The reunion will begin on Thursday any items about which you think family photograph of Zion on the note cards was evening and will end on Sunday members would like to hear. Include taken by Emerson Blair White, a great afternoon. So be sure to arrange your births, deaths, marriages, special grandson of Andrew and Isabella. These schedules so as not to miss a single birthdays and special anniversaries, 4" x 6" cards are identical to those used minute of the festivities. Watch your mail promotions, new positions, retirements, for the "Mark Your Calendar" card for for reunion registration materials which commendations, awards, etc. Do help to the 2003 reunion, except that they are will be mailed within the next month. make the newsletter as informative, blank. The cards are ideal for thank-you inspirational, and inclusive of the entire notes and other personal correspondence. family as possible. Please submit your FAMILY PUBLICATION Attractively packaged in cellophane with articles, news items, and suggestions by ribbon, they make an ideal gift. A LAUNCHED April 30, 2003, to White Family Focus, package of eight cards and matching INAUGURAL ISSUE OF P.O. Box 6009, Richmond, Virginia envelopes is $7.00 plus $1.75 shipping WHITE FAMILY Focus 23222, or to [email protected]. and handling for a total of $8.75 (US The goal is to publish the newsletter on a Dollars). Orders from outside of the Welcome to the inaugural issue of The quarterly basis. United States should be sent by American White Family Focus. Members of the Express money order in US dollars. Send 2003 White Family Reunion Planning Reunion registration materials orders to White Family Reunion, P.O. Committee are delighted to have played a to be mailed soon Box 6009, Richmond, Virginia 23222. part in making possible this first-ever Watch your mail! Place yolur order promptly as the supply newsletter of the White family. Be one of the first ten persons to of cards is limited. register and receive a family memento MA RAINEY THEATRE PARTY duction - a real "must see." A revival of Bladen-White, Dorothy Bruce, Wanda the 1984 Broadway production of the and Orlanda Burks, Darlene Byrd, is HUGE SUCCESS play is currently playing on Broadway Jimmy Byrd, Tonya Byrd, Adrian Byrd- with Whoopi Goldberg and Charles S. Pina and Anthony Pina, Tommy Cole, R. On Saturday, November 23, 2002, Dutton. Myrtle Cole, Gloria Cones, Lillie Davis, forty family members and friends from Thurman and Loretta Davis, Mary the District of Columbia, Maryland, and The day in Washington was a "win- Dillard, S. Philip Dillard, Jr., Stanley and Virginia, assembled at Arena Stage, win" occasion - provocative Bernice Dillard, Mary Ellen White Washington, D.C. to see Ma Rainey's entertainment, great time with family and Dungee, Elaine and Earl Edwards, Black Bottom. This play with music by friends, delicious food - and we raised Lawrence and Paula Hamm, Louanna award winning playwright August Wilson $650 for the family treasury. Thanks to Hamm, Fannie Harris, Alice Harris, and represents the 1920s in Wilson's series all family members and friends who Andrew Harms, Blanche Holmes, Paul of plays about African-American life in supported the effort. Wouldn't it be Holmes, and Sheila Holmes, E. Carl each decade of the twentieth century. wonderful if we made this an annual Lawrence, Sarah Lawrence, Delores Following the show, members of the event? Lawton-Scarlett, Patrice Livingston, John group enjoyed dinner at Red, Hot, and Little and "in memory" of Emily Little, Blue. By Myra White-Gray George Thomas and Elizabeth Meade, Jacquie Nettles and Kali Dudley, Evelyn The play describes a day in the life of DUES HELP TO DEFRAY Parker, Kahisha Patterson and Michael blues pioneer, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, COST OF REUNION Hightower, Kyra Patterson, Vanessa who was known as the "Mother of the Patterson, and Esther Patterson, Hilda Blues." The play takes place in 1927 at a Robinson, Terrence Taylor, Estalena At its first meeting, the 2003 White Chicago recording studio and is a portrait Thompson, David Wells, Juanita, Joe and Family Reunion Planning Committee of black musicians in the 1920s and the Brenda Wells, Albert White, Amanda established family dues for 2002-2003 at barriers to self-expression imposed on White, Andrea Lynne White and Philip $25 per adult family member (for persons them by the white establishment. As it Saul, Andrew White, Jr. and Sheryl living in the United States only). Dues unfolds, the audience gets to know these White, Andrew White, Sr. and Gracie help to defray ongoing family expenses musicians and their debilitating hurts and White, Bessida White and Philip Bladen, such as the newsletter and other mailings, insecurities. Claud and Evelyn White, Elizabeth and provide the foundation for the family White, Garland and Wilma White, reunion budget. Dues should be paid by One of the musicians, Levee, aspires George Alfred and Bernice White, Karen family members, their spouses, and to have a band someday playing a newer White, Lillie White, Randolph and style of music. His desire and the power significant others. Because of the Gladys White, Roberta White, Robin conflicts between Ma Rainey and the exchange rate the committee has not white manager are the central conflicts of White and Thomas Bowles, Romney asked persons who live outside of the this production. She is intent on showing White and Andrea Palmeri, Verdell and United States to pay dues. everyone who's the boss by flaunting her Linda White, Virginia White and Virginia romantic involvement with a younger Scott, and Myra White-Gray and woman. She also insists that her Thanks go to the almost ninety stuttering nephew be given a speaking Odyssey Gray. part in one of the songs. These scenes persons who have already paid their dues. Those who have not done so are provide some of the more comical aspects The White Family Focus of the play. encouraged to mail their dues payment as P.O. Box 6009 soon as possible to allow the planning Richmond, Virginia 23222 The other musicians represent their committee to make appropriate financial (804)321-1206 own distinct experiences and viewpoints plans for the reunion. The goal is to keep [email protected] seamlessly. The explosive conclusion of Bessida Cauthorne White, Editor reunion registration fees as low as Contributors the play reveals the severe impact of possible. Checks made payable to White Jeanette Beard Levee's debilitating hurts and in- Family Reunion should be mailed to Mary Ellen White Dungee securities on his life experience. You Elaine White Edwards Hilda Robinson, 292 Wellfords Wharf H. Juanita T. Wells leave understanding the profound Road, Warsaw, Virginia 22572. Lisa M. White disappointment of the oppressed and how Vivian White Myra White-Gray sometimes it is negatively channeled. Persons who have paid dues to date are: Beatrice Ball, James Barkerville Special Thanks: Lauren Bladen-White, Dorothy This was an excellent, excellent pro- Bruce, Linda White Hall, Marian Jones & Virginia II, Marlene White Baskerville, Lauren Scott

Page 2 which Yvonne herself auditioned - laughs and bows.

without success. "I was told I was too Yvonne still sings in public. Each year, good," she chuckles. she and friend Joyce Whittier Chaplin give fund-raising concerts for churches Yvonne's father was also remembered, and other good causes. And to prove that but not for his singing. Rev. William old habits really do die hard, a few days Andrew White was Canada's only black ago, she sang for a sellout Halifax crowd officer during the First World War. He during an evening of wartime musical was also the Armed Forces' first black memorabilia by the Stadacona Band. chaplain. There were the little shows she used to do Yvonne has agreed to be the topic of my Wednesday afternoons at the Camp Hill Remembrance Day column. I'd been Veteran's Memorial Building. She did intrigued to learn that at the tender age of them for four years but then, last April, SONGSTER nine she helped boost wartime Halifax by they were discontinued by the hospital. HELPEDLIFT WARTIME MORALE singing to its citizens. It was 1939 when Yvonne still isn't quite sure why. All she she and siblings June, Evelyn and Jack knows is that she missed singing for her She starts to sing. Softly at first, then her formed the White Quartet. With brother vets. "Even those with Alzheimer's knew voice gains strength, becoming rich and Billy doing all the arrangements, the four the words to all the songs," she tells me. melodious, as the words from long ago youngsters entertained civilians and come back into her head. military alike for the duration. At one point in our conversation, Yvonne mentions having sung the hymn, "With all my heart, I'd say I love you "You were so young," I remark. "Did "Amazing Grace," many times, especially dearly..." you even know what was happening back at funerals. I confess to her that the then?" "Oh yes," she assures me. "I words are so enormously moving that Startled, I glance up from my notebook at knew there was a war on." I've never, ever, been able to sing the 72-year old sitting regal-like across "Amazing Grace" all the way through from me. Yvonne White holds my gaze Even without the singing, she says it without choking up. "What's the and continues to croon until the song is would've been hard not to know. Her secret?" I ask. "You just find a spot to done. As the last clean note fades into widowed mother used to take in service take your attention," she advises. "I find the walls of her modest Bedford people as boarders. For six years, as the a spot at the back of the church and sing apartment, she grins. likes of Vera Lynn and Frank Sinatra to that." boosted the Allied morale on the "Isn't that beautiful," she says. international scene, the young Halifax Yvonne isn't impressed with much of "Beautiful," I murmur. "Just beautiful." quartet did its bit closer to home. The today's music. She doubts the songs will Yvonne is praising the song. Me? I'm youngsters sang at concert parties, at last as long as those she used to sing and awed by the singing. military canteens, aboard warships. They that are still being sung. "Yachhh!" she even took a scow to McNabs Island and exclaims. "It's just garbage." Miss Yvonne White, as she's listed in the warbled to the crew manning the battery. phone book, has sung all her life and She flicks through her thick songbook of belongs to arguably the most revered "Give me another example of the songs wartime standards stopping at one called, musical family in Nova Scotia. The you sang," I urge her. She thinks for a "Wait for Me Mary." "Wait for me youngest of 13, most of her siblings sang moment, then launches into a novelty Mary, 'til the skies are blue again .. . " or played instruments. Most famous was ditty called "The Pie Song." "Of all the I have absolutely no idea how I'll ever be her late sister Portia, the acclaimed pies the pie-maker makes. . ." I relax able to describe in print what I'm hearing. contralto who overcame racial and gender back on the couch, captivated by a voice Maybe you should just get yourself over here... barriers to reach the top of her she describes as "mezzo," a cross between soprano and contralto. When profession. This story, written by Peter Duffy, appeared the song ends, I stir. "You know," I say, in Herald Nova Scotia on Saturday, Another sibling who did well was "this is the first time in my adult life that November 9, 2002. brother, Lome. He was a regular on I've ever been sung to. I like it." She TV's Singalong Jubilee, a show for

Page3 7X4*62003 RELATIVE TIDBITS From Canada. program On November 28,2002, there was a book launch at the Lome and Mary have been winning money in a newspaper Board of Trade for Who's Who in Black Canada. Family contest - $1500 one week, $1332 the next. This would come in members included in the book are Senator , Dr. handy for the cruise! , Anthony Sherwood, Jack White (who, sadly, died in September), and Sheila White. Martin and Michelle's daughter Paige Heather Elaine White was Anthony, a great grand-nephew of Izie Dora White, has recently born January 30, 2003, in Toronto (my great-granddaughter!) written a new musical play with Canadian music legends Oscar , the filmmaker who did the very successful Peterson and Oliver Jones entitled Rockin' in Paradise. Last documentary on Portia White, Think On Me, and was our guest year his film Honour Before Glory, about Canada's black speaker at the 2001 Reunion, is this year's recipient of the Nova construction battalion in World War I, based on the diary of its Scotia government's $25,000 Portia White Award . . . how chaplain, the Rev. William Andrew White, was shown on the appropriate! The award is given by the province to recognize Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. artistic excellence and achievement by a Nova Scotia artist and Earlier in November, Yvonne White suffered a nasty accident honours the memory and example of Portia White. Portia's when another driver veered into her lane when passing another great nephew George Elliott Clarke was the first recipient of the vehicle, and slammed into her car, driving it into the ditch. No Portia White Award in 1998. bones were broken, but Yvonne was pretty sore for a week or Last fall, after Jack White's death, his niece Sheila was invited so. Ironically, on the same day, the very nice article about to speak about him to the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists in Yvonne that is reprinted in this newsletter appeared in the Toronto. She also told the story of his father, the Rev. Dr. Halifax Herald. William Andrew White, and was well received.

Lome and Mary White held their family Christmas dinner on George Elliott Clarke, who is a professor at the University of November 10th! This was because they were going to be away Toronto, won the 2001 Governor General's Award for poetry in on a cruise and then in Florida over Christmas, and because English for his book, The Execution Poems. One of his earlier their granddaughter Rachel Price could come home from St. books, Whylah Falls , was chosen as one of five representative Francis Xavier University on that date. Rachel's sister, Tiffany, books "for the nation to read together" on Canada Book Day in 22, is in London, England, for two years on a work/travel visa, April of 2002. Dr. Clarke was the only poet chosen in CBC and will be visiting other countries from time to time. Radio's Canada Reads feature. His new book Odysseys Home, mapping African-Canadian literature, was launched on February Shelly and John Price went to London, England, in January to 24 with a celebration hosted by the publisher, the University of visit their daughter Tiffany and see some plays. In May, when Toronto Press. George read excerpts from the book in his ususal Rachel completes her first year at St. Francis Xavier University dramatic style, which was greatly enjoyed by all in attendance. in Antigonish, NS, Shelly and Rachel plan to join Tiffany for some travels around Europe. Tim White enjoyed a 2 1A week holiday in Germany during the month of February. Congratulations to Gerry Clarke on his 60th birthday on December 31st and his retirement from the Nova Scotia Black Compiled by Vivian White, Scarborough, Ontario Educators' Association. All good wishes, Gerry. From the United States: Karen Bassett-Reade starred in Sleeping Beauty at the Neptune Theatre in Halifax in December. Wouldn't we all like to see Elizabeth Green White received a Community Service Award that? from the Peninsula Virginia Clubs of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs at an April 2002 banquet. Amanda White is living happily in Los Angeles with her boyfriend Stevie. Her current job is at LivePlanet, a TV and Gladys and Randolph White celebrated their 60th wedding film production company in Santa Monica. She recently finished anniversary on April 12, 2002. producing a documentary called LONG GONE which she hopes to take to film festivals all over the USA. For fun, she and Randolph White's 90th birthday was celebrated in May of 2002 Stevie manage and play on a co-ed softball team. Last month with an intimate family dinner at home. Amanda started a 3-year lyengar Yoga Teacher Training

Page 4 fe ?«**&* ?oett*. Wo** 2003

Dywane Hall was featured on the cover of the August 2002 Tech. Dr. Mary Dillard received her bachelor's degree from issue of Research magazine. Research is distributed to brokers Stanford, and her master's and Ph.D. from the University of and others in the financial planning industry. California at Los Angeles (UCLA).

Albert White, who turned 93 in September of 2002, was On December 26, 2002, the Lilbon Trigg White, Sr. clan honored at a birthday dinner hosted by his son Verdell White at gathered at the home of Andrea Lynn White and Philip Saul in a local restaurant. Albert is the oldest member of the White Chesterfield, Virginia for its annual Christmas dinner. More family. than fifty persons were in attendance at this event which has been held every year since the mid 1950s. On September 28,2002, Gladys Cauthorne White was feted at a 90th birthday bash. The birthday girl was resplendent in a tiara A surprise birthday party for George Thomas Meade, who featuring "90" surrounded by birthday candles. turned 65 on December 25, was staged by his wife Elizabeth Meade, on December 28, 2002, in Warsaw, Virginia. Thomas In October of 2002, Kyra Patterson successfully ran the Marine and Lizz are still newlyweds, having married in August of 2002. Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. Kyra, who was running her first marathon, finished the 26.2 mile course in 5 hours, 49 Jimmy Byrd, now of Seattle, Washington, spent time with minutes. She was a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma family and friends in Maryland and Virginia over the Christmas Society's "Team in Training,"and her participation raised holidays. Jimmy, who in the 1940s became one of the first money for that group. Kyra is the great granddaughter of African-American radio personalities, visited Warsaw, Jamaica, Charlie Harris. and King and Queen, and even managed an appearance at Thomas' birthday party. Maria Baskerville Watkins is pursuing the Ph.D. degree in Industrial\Organizational Psychology at Tulane University in Cynthia Taylor of Warsaw, Virginia won $49,000 in cash and New Orleans, Louisiana. Maria is the daughter of Marlene another $20,000 in prizes on Wheel of Fortune. Among the White Baskerville. prizes won by Cynthia was a 4-day all expense paid trip (for herself and her husband Anthony "Skip" Taylor) to San Diego, Terrence Taylor, a 1997 graduate of the University of Virginia, California for the Super Bowl. Many family members and is a pilot in the United States Air Force. A captain, he flies a friends from across the United States and Canada cheered combat plane out of Hurlbert Field, an Air Force Base in Cynthia on when the show aired on January 6. More than forty Florida. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, persons gathered for the broadcast at the home of Cynthia's Terrence was sent to Afghanistan as a part of Operation: parents-in-law, Tommy and Margaret Taylor, of Warsaw. Enduring Freedom. The son of Tommy and Margaret Taylor, of Warsaw, Virginia, he was the subject of a lengthy feature Modyssey Gray is a freshman vocal performance major at story published recently in his hometown paper, The Northern Catholic University in Washington, D.C. A soprano, she Neck News. performs with the Catholic University Chamber Choir and the Women's Chorus. Upcoming performances for Modyssey Eighth grader Tony Hall is President of the Student Council include Leonard Bernstein'sMass and the opera Agamemnon. Association at Washington Irving Middle School in Springfield, She earned an impressive 3.5 grade point average during her Virginia. Tony is the son of Linda and Dywane Hall. first semester at Catholic. Modyssey is the daughter of Myra White-Gray and Odyssey Gray. Two cousins, neither of whom previously knew that the other Jacklyn Bruce is a first-year law student at the University of existed, have met at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, Richmond. Jackie, who worked in New York for several years New York. Mary Dillard (daughter of Stanley and Bernice after graduating from Princeton, is the daughter of Dot Bruce Dillard) is a professor of African-American studies while and the late Leon Bruce. Tifany Felton (great granddaughter of Emily Little and granddaughter of Edith Meade) is a graduate student in human Austin Hall is competing on the Odyssey of the Mind Team at genetics. Through White family outreach efforts, these two Keene Mill Middle School in Springfield, Virginia. The fourth cousins once removed have met and even had lunch competitive meet was held on March 8. This is the fourth year together. According to Tifany, "It was great to meet another of competition for this 6th grader who is the son of Linda and Dywane Hall. family member so far away from home and to have a chance to share our experiences in NY . .. Mary and I have plans to get Compiled by Bessida Cauthorne White, Richmond, Virginia together again in the near future." By the way, Tifany Felton received her undergraduate degree in biology from Virginia

PageS 7

The White family is delighted to welcome the following new arrivals, all of whom were born since the last reunion:

Simone Eden Reade, born August 28,2001, to Kevin Reade and Karen Bassett-Reade. Simone is the granddaughter of Pat Reade and the late Richard Reade.

Carson Jonathan Boyne, born October 05,2001, to Lynda White-Boyne and Everton Boyne. Carson is the grandson of the late Jack White and the late Alma White.

Marcus Abrahamson Davis, born October 18, 2001, to Thurman Mozart Davis, Jr. and Dana Abrahamson. Marcus is the grandson of Loretta and Thurman Davis, Sr.

Riley Gabrielle Parchment, born February 02, 2002, to Monica Gray Parchment and Raymond Parchment. Riley is the granddaughter of Myra White-Gray and Odyssey Lawrence with one of his youngest fans. Jaire White, Gray. age 6, was one of thirteen family members cheering Lawrence on at the VCU-Towson game in Richmond Jerome Marshall Roy, Jr., born February 05, 2002, to Jerome Roy and Gwendolyn on February 6. Scott Roy. Jerome is the grandson of Janett Wright and the great grandson of Andrew Roy. enough when the family met in Norfolk in 1990 to meet and play with several of Eryn Anarrah Wells, bom April 01, 2002, to Edmonia Ann Wells. Eryn is the his cousins. In 1999, when the reunion granddaughter of Ida May Wells. was held in Toronto, he was a tall gangly lad who "went out with his cousins." Brian Wendell Beard, Jr., born May 01, 2002, to Jeanette Wilkerson Beard and Brian Beard. Brian is the grandson of Evelyn Wongus. Where is Lawrence? What is he doing now? Well, he excelled in both academics Kwame Malik White, bom May 19, 2002, to Rachael White. Kwame is the grandson and athletics at Harrisburg High School of Valus White. in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Last spring he was recruited by the athletic director Gabriele Monique Brooks, born September 13,2002, to Janita Robinson and Montae at Towson University in Maryland where Brooks. Gabriele is the granddaughter of Vera Rich and the great granddaughter of he was granted a full four-year Hilda Robinson. scholarship in basketball. This 6' 7" 205-pound freshman forward was a Alana Candice James, born November 06, 2002, to Peter James and Arlene James. starter in all but two of Towson's games Alana is the granddaughter of Shirley and Clarence James. this season. Lawrence is the leading rebounder and the second highest scorer Kendyl Renee Barnwell, born December 26, 2002, to Deborah Barnwell and Isaiah on his team. Barnwell. Kendyl is the granddaughter of Everett Dean and Audrey White. His basketball prowess earned him the title "Rookie of the Week" three times, Caitlyn Andrea Saul, born January 25, 2003, to Andrea Lynn White and Philip Saul. and he was named to the Colonial Caitlyn is the granddaughter of Grade and Andrew "Jack" White. Athletic Association (CAA) "All Rookie Team." And, despite the fact that he Paige Heather Elaine White, born January 30, 2003, to Martin White and Michelle travels and practices, he has not Archer. Paige is the granddaughter of Romney White and the great granddaughter of neglected his school work having begun Vivian White and the late Bill White. the second semester with a 3.1 average. Many of his relatives and friends have Congratulations to all of the new parents and their families! been at games to cheer Hamm on as he "shows his stuff." His proud dad is LAWRENCE MICHAEL HAMM, JR. usually walking on the sidelines as his FROM REUNION BABY TO COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL STAR son plays. Lawrence is the son of Lawrence Michael Lawrence Michael Hamm, Jr. was four months old when he attended the very first Hamm, Sr. and Mary W. Gibson, and the White Family Reunion in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1984. He was almost two and a grandson of Louanna White Hamm and half when he boarded a bus with his grandparents in Washington, D.C. to go to the late George Hamm, Sr. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada for the second family reunion. Lawrence was large by Mary Ellen White Dungee

Page 6 7«fe Wfate 2001 REUNION REFLECTIONS

From H. Juanita T. Wells: From Jeanetie Wilkerson Beard: The highlight of the year 2001 for me was the trip to Halifax, The 2001 reunion will always hold a special place in our hearts. Nova Scotia with my sister, Evelyn, for the White Family Of particular interest is the fact that we found out that we were Reunion. We left Baltimore on Thursday, August 16, headed expecting a baby while we were actually on our way to the last for Toronto and then on to Halifax to join up with the other family reunion in Nova Scotia. I had purchased a home cousins coming from the different places. pregnancy test and planned to use the test once we got to We were pleasantly surprised to find that Halifax now has a Canada. (We were driving from New York to Nova Scotia). I casino since our last visit a few years ago. It happened to be was so impatient, however, that I used the test at a rest stop in located right across the street from our hotel. Some of the Kennebunkport, Maine! Needless to say, the test was positive. cousins managed to spend a few hours trying their luck at the The great news was made even more special because both my slots. husband's mother and my mother were with us, as was one of The host cousins planned a number of interesting activities for my nieces. My mother-in-law died shortly after returning from us. It was especially exciting to go to the restaurants of our the reunion, so it goes without saying that the family reunion of choice, to eat in groups. We also had a chance to revisit the 2001 is one that will always be so special to us all!! Our son Black Cultural Center of Nova Scotia. It was just great to see Brian Wendell Beard, Jr., was born on May 1, 2002. the special recognition of our Cousin Portia White, who became world famous in the 1940s as a concert singer. Other historical GENEALOGY/FAMILY OUTREACH UPDATE family data is on display too. Elaine White Edwards has been hard at work researching After a wonderful weekend, the return trip was more of a various aspects of the White family history. Through her nightmare for us. Evelyn and I had stayed over an extra day, extensive research on Hezekiah Rufus White, she has been able until Monday, to take advantage of a reduced airfare. We left to locate his surviving family members and add them to the Halifax on Monday afternoon for Toronto, just a short ride, and fold. Newspaper articles on Hezekiah have led Elaine to a I boarded the big jet as a handicapped person, with my bad slaveholding family named Wilson whom she believes may have knee. The stewardess took my boarding pass after I was seated, owned Andrew and Isabella White. but I did not learn until later that she took too much. When I boarded the little commuter plane for Baltimore, my pass was With Hezekiah's family accounted for, there remains only missing and we had to debark. We had been through customs one missing link in the circle of Andrew and Isabella White's a couple of times by then, but we had to get off the plane, family, the family of their son James and his wife Dilcy. James research rny bags and baggage, but no boarding pass turned up. and Dilcy had two daughters, Lucy Moore White (married to We had to get the jitney, luggage and all and return to the main William Forbes) and Dilcy Jane White. Elaine has found the airport. I was told to purchase another ticket and that I could be widowed Dilcy and her daughters living in Baltimore in 1900. reimbursed when I returned home. When I returned to the Bessida has found a deed in which Dilcy and the girls sell their counter, I was almost in tears -hurting knees and hurt feelings. King and Queen property to George Granville White, Sr, in A kind young man waited on me and said I need not purchase 1903. We know nothing about them after that time. The quest another ticket, and gave me a boarding pass to use. So here we is to find what happened to this family, particularly whether go again, through customs, board the jitney, and back to our there is surviving progeny. Anyone who knows anything about take off place. I forgot to mention, that we had extra baggage, these family members is asked to contact Elaine at (609) 467- because of the extra time we had on Monday, we did a little 2992 or Bessida at (804) 321 -1206. See the next newsletter for extra shopping. We had found two pound bags of jellybeans further genealogy updates. that were really cheap, so we had bought several bags, which added to our load. When we returned for the second time to our take off place, they apologized for the inconvenience and gave us a forty-five dollar food voucher. By this time, we had missed two flights and would have had to go back to the main terminal to eat at the restaurant. We ended up buying $19.00 of junk food at the snack bar. Finally, after nearly an 8-hour delay, we were in the air and headed for home. I had already called home a couple of times to alert my daughter Brenda of our delay. My husband Joe, and the other family members were already in Warsaw, waiting for us to join them. This experience took place just three weeks before September 11. Of course, I have thanked my God for getting us home safely, and for giving me a loving, patient sister who stood by my side all of the way. Jimmy Byrd, Hilda Robinson and Thomas Meade at Thomas' birthday party

Page? 1X0*62003 IN MEMORIAM o

We pause to fondly remember the following departed members of the White family:

Leon Nelson Bruce Alma White June 9,1933 - July 29,1999 March 28,1929 - October 12, 2001 son of Mattie Brookens and Ollie Bruce wife of John Edgar (Jack) White

Clifford Fitzhugh White Patricia Bushey Clarke July 9,1908 -August 12,1999 ? - November 20, 2001 son of Lenora and George Granville White, Jr. wife of William Lloyd Clarke

Emma Lucille White Russ Richard James Reade March 14,1915 - October 19, 2000 June 14,1928 - February 12, 2002 daughter of Lenora and George Granville White, Jr. husband of Patricia Clarke Reade

Robert Edward (Bobby)Parson, Jr. Raymond DeShazo November 12,1949 - November 1, 2000 May 20,1931 - February 22,2002 son of Hetherine and Robert Parson son of Will and Pearl White DeShazo

Edward Alexander Dillard Emily Little April 5,1920 - March 4, 2001 December 1,1918 - March 29, 2002 son of Matilda and George Wesley Dillard, Sr. daughter of Calvin and Daisy Taylor Harvey

Ludwell (Bobby) Cooper Ashton Lilbon Trigg White, Jr. April 22,1932 - March 20, 2001 April 9,1924-May 17, 2002 son of Kellogg and Bertha White Ashton son of Susie and Lilbon Trigg White, Sr.

Chastine White Bailey John Edgar (Jack) White December 22,1928 - March 24, 2001 July 10,1925 - September 10, 2002 daughter of William and Chastine White son of Izie and William Andrew White, Jr.

Sarah Harris Waymer George Edward Dillard July 10,1938 - May 20, 2001 April 5,1943 - November 5, 2002 daughter of Henry Clay and Fannie Harris son of Ursula and George Wesley Dillard, Jr.

Paul Lawrence White Gloria Jean White March 25,1921 -July 13, 2001 August 16,1935 - February 8, 2003 son of Susie and Lilbon Trigg White, Sr. wife of Emerson Blair White The image above is a cosmogram from the Bakongo culture of central Africa. The cosmogram represents the cycles of human life.