Beatrice Sharpe-Stevens, Summerall Family Gathering-First President
The idea of the family gathering was initiated at the home of Phedia Gourdine, in Norwalk, Connecticut on Sunday, August 14, 1955. Present were cousins Samuel Summerall, and Beatrice Sharpe-Stevens (Aunt Bea to most). Beatrice Sharpe-Stevens, (wife of Washington Stevens, Sr.) who was the daughter of Abbie and Caesar "Babe" Sharpe, granddaughter of the late Jack and Mariah Summerall. "Aunt Bea" was elected the first president of the Family Gathering during this visit. It was decided that the Family Gathering would be held annually on Thursday through Sunday of the fourth week in August each year.In
1956, the first Summerall Family Gathering was held in the native town of Baxley, Georgia at the Thankful New Jersey Baptist Church. It was decided that "the Gathering" would be held in Baxley because this is where Jack and Mariah Summerall, Rosa Summerall-McNeil, Abbie Summerall-Sharpe, and Caesar Sharpe grew up, raised their families and were buried.
Six sisters: Lula Porter-Williamson, Chelsey Williams, Isabelle Sharpe-Gordon, Viola Sharpe-McMillan, Polly Ogden, Sulah Whiten, Beatrice Sharpe-Stevens, along with Sam Summerall, and the descendants of Rosa McNeil worked together to promote and help make the Summerall Family Gathering the success it is today.
1956, the first Summerall Family Gathering was held in the native town of Baxley, Georgia at the Thankful New Jersey Baptist Church. It was decided that "the Gathering" would be held in Baxley because this is where Jack and Mariah Summerall, Rosa Summerall-McNeil, Abbie Summerall-Sharpe, and Caesar Sharpe grew up, raised their families and were buried.
Six sisters: Lula Porter-Williamson, Chelsey Williams, Isabelle Sharpe-Gordon, Viola Sharpe-McMillan, Polly Ogden, Sulah Whiten, Beatrice Sharpe-Stevens, along with Sam Summerall, and the descendants of Rosa McNeil worked together to promote and help make the Summerall Family Gathering the success it is today.