The 56th annual reunion of the descendants of Joseph Thomas Newsome (1831-1897) and Susan Reynolds Newsome (1835-1915) was held Saturday, August 8, at Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Aonia community.

The Newsomes, natives of Warren County, moved to southeast Wilkes County before the Civil War and raised their family of 15 children in the community surrounding Mt. Zion Methodist Church. Thomas Newsome, a Confederate veteran, was the son of Crawford and Elizabeth Newsome, Crawford being a descendant of William Newsome of Yorkshire, England, who came to Jamestown, Virginia, in l635.

Although Thomas and Susan Newsome had over 100 grandchildren, there is only one known survivor, Marilyn Newsome Turner of Gainesville, daughter of Adam B. Newsome. She was present at this year's reunion and received special recognition.

Around 80 descendants and family connections were in attendance, the eldest being nonagenarian Lillian N. Sherman, granddaughter of Robert V. Newsome. Octogenarians present were Marilyn N. Turner, Beatrice N. Sherrer, Amaryllis N. Tyler, Anne Williamson Ellis, Herbert Ellis and Mae Dent Milligan.

Ten grandchildren of Andrew J. "Jack" Newsome were present including Smythe Newsome, Beatrice N. Sherrer, Jim Newsome, Jack Newsome and wife, Marilyn, Warren Newsome and wife, Ann, G. B. Newsome Jr. and wife, Sherry, all of Washington; Gloria Turner Cooper and husband, Harry, of Louisville; Colleen T. Griffin of Matthews, N.C.; Jackie T. Bailey of Austell, and Jean N. Casey and husband, James, of Cedartown. Other descendants attending were Melanie and Tom Wells, Jack E. Newsome, Graham and Kohen Wolfe, and Burt Newsome, all of Washington, Ann Cooper and Lisa C. Widener of Augusta; Tony Cooper of Charleston, S.C., Shane N. Gaines and Tanner Barnett of Nicholson.

Grandchildren of Robert V. "Bob" Newsome attending were Mary Ann Garrard and David Garrard of Washington; Randolph and Shirley T. Garrard of Brooks; Sue Garrard Miller of Lattimore, N.C.; Anne W. and Herbert Ellis of Augusta; Amaryllis N. Tyler and Anne N. and Ben Oswald of Allendale, S.C.; and Laura J. Harper Stewart of Union Point. Other family members present were Hammond Garrard, Hilda P. McCarty, Angela M. McGill, Frances C. and John Reed, all of Washington; Libby S. Martin of Rutledge; Randy Garrard of Bowdon; Clara Garrard of Brooks; Vera N. Ansley of Thomson; John T. Newsome of Atlanta, and Vickers P. Harrelson of Allendale, S.C.

Grandchildren of Alice Newsome Corbin attending were Peggy Dent of Lilburn, Betty D. Thrift of Wrens, Daphne D. DeBeaugrine of Aiken, S.C., Ann D. Darby, Mae D. Milligan, Sandra D. and Bob Swain, all of Thomson.

William C. "Willie" Newsome's grandchildren present were Ramona N. Power and husband, Hoyt, of Martinez and JoAnn N. Cathey and husband, Jack, of Buckhead. Other descendants were Dennis and Laurie Dehil of Washington and Jeri Smith and Charles Smith of Buckhead.

Amanda Newsome Smith's descendants present were granddaughter, Lucille Smith Baggett of Warner Robins; granddaughter, Joanne Screws Holtz and husband, Donald, of Midville; great-grandson, Nick Kraus and wife, Carol, of Twin City.

Alexander S. "Alec" Newsome's grandson, Julian A. Garrett and wife, Judith, of Clarkesville were also present.

Guests were Sid and Linda Newsome of Juliette, Scott and Shirley Arnold of Charlotte, N.C., Sylvia Buller of Warner Robins and Frank and Lou Bentley of Washington.

Descendants who died during the past year included Grace N. Speer, daughter of A.S. "Alec" Newsome; Mary Frances Drinkard Barnett, granddaughter of Frances Newsome Drinkard; Alice N. Pettit and Mary Alma N. Thomas, granddaughters of R.V. "Bob" Newsome; William E. Newsome, grandson of Bob Newsome; John W. "Jackie" Callaway III, great-grandson of Frances N. Drinkard; and Sam Greene, husband of Lois P. Greene, granddaughter of Bob Newsome.