Letter to the Editor: Seward family ready to start another century of reunions on Saturday

Last year’s 100th reunion was a grand success. More than 100 Seward folks of all ages and from near and far joined together to celebrate. Seward family descendants have been gathering to celebrate shared lineage since 1924. Without fail, descendants have gathered — even during the pandemic in 2000. The 97th was a virtual reunion, using Zoom to keep the streak alive, but we returned to in-person gatherings in 2021.

Attendees at the 100^th voted in favor of continuing the reunions. Due to unexpected health issues this year, usual preparations for our 101st reunion were not carried out or were delayed. Due to this late start, the reunion committee decided to have a Zoom reunion this year like the one we had during COVID. Plans have already begun for an in-person 102^nd reunion on Aug. 17, 2025, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Fowler.

Here are the important details for this year:

• WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 18 from 2-4 p.m.
• WHERE: Family members’ homes or wherever they gather to have access to the internet.
• WHAT TO BRING: Memories, photos and memorabilia to share in the Zoom.
• QUESTIONS: Call or text 940-390-0771 or email seward@unt.edu

All are encouraged to have mini-reunions at their homes with reunion dishes and to share your associates and activities in the Zoom reunion. Virtual fried chicken will be provided by David Koontz, and virtual ice cream will be provided by Jill Deege.

Ninety-eight ancestors, mostly descendants of Samuel and Lucy Ann Ross Seward, came together on Aug. 17, 1924, for a good ol’ basket dinner at the Dick Anderson farm near Ursa. Attendees decided they had had so much fun that they would do it again the next year. Fast forward 101 years, and we haven’t missed holding a single reunion.

Any old pictures or memorabilia to share? Have them ready for the Zoom. We want to see them. Above all we want everyone to participate. This is about sharing memories and making new ones. Like that Seward reunion more than a century ago, let’s add this one to the long history.

We welcome and encourage family members to volunteer to share the responsibilities for the 102^nd reunion.  

We hope Samuel and Lucy Ann know how honored we are to be their descendants or cousins and how we recognize and are incredibly grateful for the sacrifices that they made for all of us.

Jill Deege (President)
Leah Dawn Shupe (Vice President & Family Genealogist, President Emeritus)
Angie Hayn (Facebook Page & Photographer)
David Koontz (Treasurer, Food & Facilities)
Rudy Ray Seward (Communications)
Denton, Texas