The Dennis clan reunion: Keeping the happy memories alive

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Charlotte, North Carolina—Last Sunday’s Dennis family reunion at the Anderson Grove Baptist Church in Albemarle, North Carolina--said to be the 85th--was a success.

The reunion was a mix of the old and new generations of the Dennis clan which claimed roots in Ireland and had Dutch ancestry, said Jerry Dennis, head of the clan since 1997.  

There were absentees and the message of Jerry Dennis rang loud and clear: “They need to get involved because this is their heritage, this  is where they came from.”

A committee headed by Tammy Dennis will plan next year’s reunion that will get more young Dennis kin to attend. “I hope this works. I love to attend these reunions all my life.  Good food and good fellowship.  It’s always awesome,” Jerry Dennis said. 

Jerry Dennis, son of James Julius “Hoss” Dennis, recalled that the reunion used to be a whole day affair that lasted from noon to sunset or 6 pm. 

“I remember we made lemonade, somebody slicing, another hand squeezing fresh lemons and placing ice on the barrel. There was a long table and we placed food on it. Oh man, it was fun, with all men playing horseshoes,” he said.

Jerry credited the late Lucille Dennis who outlined the Dennis genealogy book now owned by her daughter Zelma “Summer” Eudy. “Lucille can connect everybody in the clan,” he said. 

Jerry said the clan reunions used to be held at Lucille’s house and it lasted until 9 pm.  The kids would hang out all night there, Jerry said.

The Dennis clan came from Albemarle and Troy in the counties of Stanly and Montgomery.  “I didn’t know that until my cousin from Mt. Airy was investigating the family history and found out that our name was Dennison originally from the Dutch Irish who came here and changed it to Dennis, that is what I was told,” Jerry said. 

With pride in his voice, Jerry said the Dennis family contributed much to the Troy and Montgomery counties where most of the clan is based.  

Vivian Vair who is the current clan secretary shared that when she retired there was no doubt in her mind that she is going back home to her roots.

This year more than 50 adults excluding children attended the 85th Dennis family reunion. A clan election ended up with Ronnie Dennis succeeding Jerry as clan president. 

Gifts were given to the seniors and the youngsters but it was agreed that gifts will be replaced with cards in next year’s reunion.

When meal time came, I was surprised to see enough food to feed an entire village or one barangay in the Philippines. Also in attendance were the Dennis brothers, son of William Hugh Dennis Sr. and Mary Guinn (Bill, Ronnie and Larry Keith). The youngest brother Gary Dean could not make it due to a previous engagement. 

Eldest brother Wayne Dennis died last year. The Dennis brothers’ grandfather was the late Barry Littleton Dennis who was married to Emma Hamilton Dennis. 

Later as the reunion winded down, Jerry said he dreams that a family quilt tracing the Dennis clan genealogy will be made before he passes away.

“Ireland where our ancestors came ftom is a popular country.  I would like to have a quilt and they have a certain pattern and I would like to have one before I pass to the Great Beyond,” he said.

A family reunion gives time for everyone in the clan to remember, laugh, share stories and make new memories. Last Sunday’s reunion ended with a resolve to make it better next year and I hope it will be so.