The following is a chronological sketch of the reunions held by members of the Gourdin(e) family from South Carolina during the past fourteen years.
The William Mackey Gourdine Family Reunion
In 1983, the first reunion of the William Mackey Gourdine family was held at the J.K. Gourdine Elementary School in Pineville, SC. More than 100 descendants of William Mackey gathered and celebrated family unity
The William Mackey Gourdine Family Reunion
On December 25-27, 1987, descendants of William Mackey Gourdine held their second family reunion in Pineville, SC. The theme of this reunion was "A Gathering of Generations."
The reunion was planned and coordinated by Vermell Gourdine-Wilson (President); Patricia Gourdine-Matthews (Secretary); and Patricia Brown (Historic Committee Chairperson).
The First Gourdin Family Reunion
In 1989, the first family reunion of the Gourdin(e) family from Oceda was held in Richmond, VA. More than 50 family members attended for a weekend of reminiscence. This 1989 reunion set the stage for future gatherings for years to come.
The reunion was planned and coordinated by Maxine Smith-Mallory, Roger Smith, and Linda Smith.
The Second Gourdin Family Reunion
The second family reunion was held August 2-4, 1991, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Buffalo, NY. More than 150 family members came together for the weekend which included a Saturday picnic; a banquet Saturday night at the Hyatt Regency; and a bus-trip to Niagara Falls on Sunday Morning.
The reunion was planned and coordinated by family members in the Buffalo area.
The William Mackey Gourdine Family Reunion
On September 4-6, 1992, descendants of William Mackey Gourdine held their third family reunion at the Short Stay Park in Bonneau, SC. The reunion began on Friday night with dinner, and continued on Saturday with a recreations and a picnic, and ended Sunday with praise and worship.
The reunion was planned and coordinated by the 1987 reunion committee members.
The Third Gourdin Family Reunion
The third family reunion was held August 13-15, 1993, at the Inner Harbor Marriott Hotel in Baltimore, MD. It was a fun filled weekend that began on Friday night with a get aquintanced social; to a Saturday picnic capped off with a banquet and family history program on Saturday night; concluding on Sunday morning with a prayer service. The reunion committee was led by David Greene, from Baltimore, and consisted of, Phenizee Greene, Jacqueline Rose-Green, Darlene Johnson, Brigitte Greene, Minnie Greene, Yvette Gant, J. Raymond Gourdin, Gloria Gourdin, and Venus Greene - all from the Baltimore area, and a host of family members across the nation.
The Fourth Gourdin Family Reunion
The reunion in Myrtle Beach, SC was the ultimate the families seemed to merge Gourdin(e), Oceda and Pineville. More than 300 members of the family came together for four days of fun during August 10-13, 1995.
The South Carolina planning committee, represented members of both branches, chaired by Patricia Gourdin-Matthews, and members by Vermell Gourdine-Wilson, Regina Robinson, Hilda S. Gourdine, William Gourdine, Rev. John Mark Moyd, and Sharon S. Middleton.
The 5th Family Reunion (Virginia Beach, VA)
The next reunion of the Gourdin(e) family is scheduled for August 1997, at Virginia Beach, VA. Planning is underway, and you will be kept up to date on the progress through our quarterly newsletter. The planning committee members are detailed on the back-page of this issue.
EXCERPT: Gourdin-Gourdine Quarterly Newsletter