Reunion Wrap-Up

Another year has come and gone, and the 60th Reunion is in the history books. It was a good turn-out. Some new faces, a few faces missing. New activities for the kids, stories and good food for all. 

If you signed up for our email newsletter (and we encourage you to do so), you will be getting the Inaugural Issue of the McGraw Family Newsletter in your inbox within the next few weeks with a full recap and pictures from this year's event. If you get the newsletter and know of family members that would like to have a copy, have them sign up. 

New pictures will be going up soon on the "Photos" section of our website, but we would encourage you to share your own with everybody on our Facebook page. Remember to "Like" our page so you can stay up to date with what's going on with the reunion and the family. If you have news to share, feel free to let us know and we'll put it up on our sites to help get the word out.

Mark your calendars now for next year's reunion!

July 20, 2014 - Always the Third Sunday in July!

A message from Mike McGraw. . .

Jack McGraw loved our family reunion. He was the youngest son of H.G. "Dad" McGraw and had attended every reunion since it's beginning. He was "Secretary" of the now defunct McGraw Reunion Association. In his later years, Jack asked his son Mike to make sure that the reunion would go on. Mike promised that he would do all that he could. That was 28 years ago, and the reunion has continued on. For many years, it was Mike and his wife Patty along with his aunt, Rita McGraw, that worked together behind the scenes making sure we had a place for the reunion, that the reminder postcards were sent and that all of the other details taken care of. We lost Rita in 2004 and last fall we lost Mike, but their reunion, our reunion, continues on. We will remember Mike and others we lost over the past year in a memorial service at the reunion this Sunday. 

Back in 2008, Mike sent the following letter to everyone on the reunion mailing list. His words ring as true today as they did then. Since he can't be here to beat the drum, we thought that we would share his thoughts with you once again. . .

"Since this reunion began in the 1950's, it has been a way for families and friends to reconnect and stay in touch. In the 55+ years past, thousands have attended. It is time to reconnect with family.

As families progress in generations and move away, many family members have never lived here in the area where John and Mahalia settled, called home, and raised the children from whom many of us are direct descendants. Bring your family back, meet your "kin folks", and make that reconnection. Soon the numbers may fall to the point that a reunion of this sort is not feasible, but that is entirely up to us.

If nothing else, the food will be plentiful and great. Family trait, I guess!

We ask this year, that you think about doing a few things:

1. Encourage family members to attend - bring those young ones.
2. Bring COPIES of pictures of Grandparents, Parents, Self, Children, Etc. Please include names and dates so we can begin to compile a "family album" for future generations. If you cannot attend, simply mail copies of the pictures and information to us.
3. Bring the names of those who were born and died during the past year.
4. Bring COPIES of pictures of past reunions, especially those taken when the reunion was held in and outside of Milam Methodist Church and in the gym of John McGraw Grade School.

Folks, this is OUR reunion. If we haven't seen you in a while -- come back. If you've never been here before -- you are welcome to come. Make the effort, it will be well worth it. Bring a dish and plan to spend the day with family.

Please pass this information on to all that you think will be interested. Thanks and hope to see you soon.

Mike & Patty McGraw"

Reunion Day Church Services

This Sunday morning, reunion day services will be held at Milam United Methodist Church at 9:30 AM. Worship services will be led by Pastor Jason Stewart and will last approximately an hour. The reunion site in Saulsville is less than ten minutes away, so there's plenty of time to make it to the reunion afterwards.

The Milam Church is located on McGraws Hollow Road in McGraws, just behind the former John McGraw Grade School. It was founded and built by the Brooks and the McGraw Families. The land was offered by Earl McGraw of Mullens in about 1948. Construction began in 1950 and the first service was held in the unfinished church in the summer of 1952. The first McGraw reunions were held after church services at Milam. The families would place their food on tables and eat "dinner on the ground." After a gymnasium was added to the school, the reunion was moved.

If you're traveling in from out of town, if you're local and have never been there, or if it's been a long time since you've attended all are welcome.

For driving directions, Click Here.  We'll be happy to see you there!

Sad News To Relay.

Vallie McGraw, who was honored at last year's reunion as the oldest McGraw in attendance passed away on June 20. She was 96. We will remember her and others we lost over the last year during a brief memorial service at this year's event. Please let us know if you have a loved one that you would like to have honored.

Click here to see Vallie's obituary and leave condolences.

New Content Coming Soon!

The Reunion is right around the corner! In the weeks following this year's 60th, we hope to have uploaded new pictures to the site and plan on an email newsletter with a summary of all that happened!

So remember to watch our sites and your email inbox! If you haven't given us your email at the reunion, you can join the mailing list by visiting the "Contact Us" section of our website or sign up for "Email Notifications" on our Facebook site!

We look forward to seeing you there!