Welcome to Rock Hill, South Carolina to celebrate the 47th Annual Byrd Patterson Family Reunion! The South Carolina team has planned a fun-filled weekend of activities with some free time to enjoy some of the attractions in and around this fine city of Rock Hill. Themed “Remember when……”, this year’s reunion begins with the traditional Friday night Meet ‘n Greet fish fry. Following breakfast on Saturday morning, we will gather for our business meeting, oratorical contest, and then some free time. A chic banquet outfitted with emerald green and white with some time to “kick up your heels” on the dance floor will round out our Saturday activities. Our time together concludes with worship service and lunch on Sunday.

Remember when our family reunions began? The year was 1977. The place was Hampton, Virginia. It started with a vision from Uncle Elgin, Uncle Clyde, Sr. and my great-grandmother Piccola Vaughn, in Gwen and Bernard Nichol’s back yard over glasses of lemonade. In that year, the average cost of 1 dozen eggs was $0.82, the cost of a loaf of bread was $0.36 and a 10-lb bag of potatoes was $1.50. After its beginning, family reunions were held in Salisbury, North Carolina from 1978 – 1982. Remember when the Friday night fish fry was held in Avilee and Leon Gaither’s backyard? Dan Nichols Park? I can drop the mic on that one. It holds so many memories for most of us who were able to experience the park on many different occasions. How about worship service at Southern City AME Zion church? We’d fill up almost the entire church.

Those were the good ole’ days that hold cherished memories for all who were able to experience them. As with everything, change is inevitable. After 1982, we started to host reunions in other cities of interest. With 47 reunions in the books and counting, it is such an awesome opportunity to evolve with the changing times, but we must do more. We must involve the generation of today with opportunities to continue our legacy by not only attending reunions but participating and hosting them as well. Empowering our Gen X and Gen Y young people to get involved and participate in planning will foster interest to build on our foundation and propel our family into the future. I challenge you this weekend to pour into a young person, get to know them and share some of our history with them. In addition, listen to their thoughts about sustaining the family reunions and how to keep them engaged in our mission to continue our Byrd Patterson family legacy.

The Rock Hill Chapter is looking forward to your arrival in Rock Hill, South Carolina to celebrate the 47th Annual Byrd Patterson Family Reunion on Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 11, 2024.

All activities will be held at The Shield, 2499 Fire Tower Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29730. The Shield is located only ten minutes from the selected hotel. This year’s selected hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn Rock Hill (convenient to I-77) located at 650 Tinsley Way, Rock Hill, SC 29730. Close by you will find Manchester Cinema, Galleria Mall, Ross, TJ Maxx, Target and lots of restaurants.

As you prepare your wardrobe for our reunion, please note the Saturday Night Banquet is white and green attire.

Sincerely,
Jerisia Barnes

Rock Hill Planning Committee