Descendants of the late Joseph Thomas "Tom" Newsome (1835- 1897) and Susan Reynolds (Susie) Newsome (l835-l915) gathered at historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Aonia community for their 53rd annual reunion on Saturday, October 14.

Many Newsome descendants and related families have lived in that community throughout the past 100 years and attended Ebenezer Church and Aonia School.

Tom and Susie Newsome, both of Warren County, were married on December 25, l856. They later moved to the Savoy community in Wilkes County and brought their children up in the Mt. Zion Methodist Church. They were parents of nine sons and six daughters and had over one hundred grandchildren.

Sixty-three descendants attended this year's reunion. There were at least five octogenarians present, the eldest being Lillian N. Sherman of Augusta, granddaughter of Robert V. "Bob" Newsome. The youngest descendant was 18-month-old Sarah Catherine Kraus of Swainsboro, great-great-great-granddaughter of Amanda Newsome Smith. She and her sister, Caroline, were the only seventh-generation members attending. Traveling the greatest distance was Colleen T. Griffin of Charlotte, N.C., granddaughter of A.J. Newsome. Very few of Tom and Susie Newsome's grandchildren survive. Regular attendees who were sorely missed at this year's function were Alex S. Newsome's daughter, Grace N. Speer, 89, of Tampa Fla., and Adam B. Newsome's daughter, Marilyn N. Turner, 81, and her husband

McGill, all of Washington.

Jack of Gainesville.

Six descendants of Amanda Newsome

Thirty-three descendants of Andrew

Smith attended and included

J. "Jack" Newsome attended

two of her granddaughters, Lucille

including daughter-in-law, Jenelle

Smith Baggett of Warner Robins

Cofer Newsome, and nine grandchildren

and Joanne Screws Holtz and husband,

and their spouses, Beatrice

Donald Holtz, of Midville.

N. Sherrer, Warren and Ann B.

Fifth and seventh generations were

Newsome, Walter "Buzzy" and

represented by Nick and Carole

Sharon Turner, and Jack and

Kraus of Twin City and their grandchildren,

Marilyn T. Newsome, all of Washington;

Caroline and Sarah

James and Jean Newsome

Catherine Kraus of Swainsboro.

Casey of Cedartown, Harry and

Six grandchildren of Alice Newsome

Gloria Turner Cooper of Louisville,

Corbin attended, Peggy Dent

Colleen Turner Griffin of Charlotte,

of Lilburn, Betty Dent Thrift of

N.C., John and Jackie Turner Bailey

Wrens, Daphne D. DeBeaugrine of

of Austell, Jerry and Ramona N.

Columbia, S. C., Ann D. Darby, Mae

King of Fletcher, N.C., and Sherry

D. Milligan, Sandra D. Swain and

W. Newsome of Washington, wife

her husband, Bob Swain, all of Thomson.

of G. B. Newsome, Jr. Fifth and

sixth generation members present

The only descendant of William

were Melanie Craycraft Wells,

C. Newsome present was granddaughter,

Tommy Wells, Jack and Mary Lois

JoAnn N. Cathey and her

Newsome, Graham and Kohen, all

husband, Jack, of Buckhead.

of Washington, Mike and Debra W.

Sherrer of Rayle, David and Lisa

The tables in the church fellowship

Cooper Widener and son of Augusta,

hall were decorated with garlands

Joan Casey Mitchell and

of fall leaves, gourds and tiny

Judith Casey Mulcay and Drew of

pumpkins accented by ribbons in

Cedartown, and Lisa N. Meister of

bright fall colors. The serving tables

Harlem.

were covered with yellow cloths

Thirteen descendants of Robert V.

with centerpieces of potted chrysanthemums.

"Bob" Newsome attending included

Old family photos and the

five of his grandchildren, Lillian N.

Newsome Coat-of-Arms were displayed

Sherman of Augusta, Amaryllis N.

on a table in the sanctuary.

Tyler of Allendale, S.C., Sam and

Decorating for the occasion were

Lois Patterson Greene of Crawfordville,

Marilyn T. Newsome, Lisa N.

Elmyra Patterson Chafin and

Meister and Joan C. Mitchell. Others

Mary Ann Garrard of Washington.

assisting in preparations were

Represented fifth and sixth generations

Jean N. Casey, Mary Ann Garrard,

were Vickers Harrelson of

Jack Newsome and Jack E. Newsome

Allendale, S.C., Hilda Petit Mc-

and sons, Graham and Kohen.

Carty, John and Frances Reed Chafin,

Prior to the meal, Jackie T. Bailey

Hammond Garrard and daughter,

led the group in the singing of the

McCamey, and Angela McCarty

"Doxology."