Parker Reunion Since 1937
2008 REUNION
The Seventy First Annual Parker Family Reunion was held Sunday, September 14, 2008
in Round Rock, Texas. We met at the Williamson County Conference Center (behind the Wingate Hotel). The center was spacious, beautiful, and enjoyed by all. Thank you Martin & Fran for finding this new location.
2008 Memorials included: Clara Killen - September 18, 2008; Barbara O'Connell's son William "Will" O'Connell - October 8, 2007; Our Beloved Aunt Alta Lee - December 18, 2007; Betty Jo Ballard's daughter, Vicki Brown - February 28, 2008; Loraine "Monk" Wilkinson - March 25, 2008; George Sawicki, Vicki Brown's husband - April 16, 2008; Edna Ruth Stegall - July 22, 2008 (Grandma Ida's side on the Collier family); Nicole Vanatta - August 7, 2008; Jacob Vanatta - August 13, 2008.
We had a nice catered meal from Rudy's Bar-B-Que. The food was really good, and it was plentiful! A special thanks to Martin & Fran Parker for arranging the meal. An extra special thanks to Fran, Skip & Kathy Parker for getting the food & tea ready to serve. Between the pre-meal preparation, and the after-meal clean-up, they missed a good portion of the reunion.
Mary Alice Payne made the most beautiful Parker Family Quilt, and donated it to the Parker Reunion for a fundraiser. Tickets were sold for a drawing, and the winner was Jenna Kieschnick. Jenna is the daughter of Randy & Cathy Kieschnick, and the granddaughter of Gene Parker.
Our family genealogist, Vera Burns, set up a family history table. There were framed pictures of our ancestors, photo albums, and family history notebooks. Vera has been working on this for many years, and we are all in her debt to have this collection of treasures.
Edith Parker Housinger was introduced as the oldest living Parker. Edith had her 88th birthday September 21, 2008.
The auction was fun and successful as always.
We had a remarkable turnout with over 135 people in attendance. The number attending would have been higher, but many of our gulf coast family members were unable to attend due to Hurricane Ike. making landfall the day before.
I believe we all had a great time, and are looking forward to next year.