Burns Family Reunion

Dedicated to Earnest Burns, Charles Burns Sr., and Odessa Banks.

My father was very giving. I remember watching him give back to his family, community, basically everyone around him. If you came to our home, you had to eat, there was no way you would leave without a meal. He gave back in so many ways. Even though he only had a high school education, he managed to start his own company. While managing that company, he instilled in us the importance of family, being there for each other and providing support no matter what. As a kid, I remember my father telling us to “always respect your elders, even if you think they are wrong.” He also told us to never embarrass him or the Burns family name, “you are a Burns, don’t forget it.”

I got involved with our family reunions back in 2007. Back then it was a small gathering of approximately 40-50 people. We met in my cousin Odessa Banks’ yard in Moorhead, Mississippi. Since 2007, our reunions have vastly grown. The 2022 reunion included 210 participants. It was a bonding experience like no other.

In 2022 we decided that it had been too long since we last saw each other in 2017. Since COVID, everyone has been on high alert. We were really wondering if it would be safe for such a large gathering. Finally, the decision was made to move forward with a 2022 reunion. We decided to gather for two days instead of our traditional three. Several family members had passed on since 2017 and a few family members are ailing with health conditions. My motto is “why put off for tomorrow what can and should be done today; for tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone.” We finally decided to move forward with a reunion in July.

We decided to hold the reunion in Cleveland, Mississippi, a central gathering place for the majority of the Burns family. Although there really isn’t much to do in Cleveland, it didn’t matter because everyone just wanted to see each other. Since it had been so long between reunions, we created a committee that consisted of myself, Ashley Jones, Terrilyn Brown and Terri Bentley.

For planning, we had numerous Zoom meetings, group text messages, and weekend phone calls. We set dates, established dues

Burns family elders

(set low as it was a late plan and we just wanted everyone to show up), designed shirts, selected activities, decorations, etc. It was extremely timeconsuming, but very rewarding. As it’s often extremely hot during summer in the south, this year we decided to hire a caterer instead of cooking.

The reunion began Friday night with a Meet and Greet. Everyone was asked to wear their favorite sports team attire. The night included an activity of ‘Get to Know Me.’ Family members were asked to sit at tables by birth month and encouraged to share birthday information, as well as any other pertinent information about themselves in hopes that there would be similarities. My most memorable part of this day was seeing the oldest female family member, Theresa Johnson (73 years young), line dance with teenagers, dancing better than them and me!

Saturday consisted of a BBQ/ Picnic during the day and banquet dinner that evening; yes, that same evening! Of course, committee members were extremely tired, but we pressed on. The BBQ/Picnic included fun outdoor activities for the kids like water slides, water balloon toss, lots of candy, snacks, chips, etc. Meanwhile, the adults stayed inside and played Bingo for prizes. (I love sales and I have a shopping habit which Amazon has made worse. Bath and Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, you name it; if it’s on sale I usually purchase it and save the items as prizes).

Saturday night was a dress up dinner banquet with everyone in their finest attire. The evening began with a prayer delivered by Stanley Easley. Then we were blessed with several songs by a local gospel group featuring one of my high school classmates, Denise Mitchell. Denise has been an adopted member of the Burns family for as long as I can remember. I can’t recall if we adopted her, or she adopted us! There was a tremendous amount of love and unity on display. The evening culminated with a talent show, a performance by a local Blues artist, a rap performance, and dancing.

The evening concluded with a candle lighting ceremony in memory of those who have left us since the last reunion. We wrapped up with acknowledgments of the following family members and presented them with plaques and a box of candy:

Theresa Johnson – The Oldest Female of the Family, 73 years young Louzarus (Candy) Burns – The Oldest Male, 88 years young JD & Ruby Burns – The Longest Married Couple, 54 years

Jesse & Marie Easley – The almost Longest Married Couples, 53 years Martha Lancaster – Technology Savvy Oldest, 71 years young JB Burns – Family Historian

A few family members felt as though waiting an entire year to see each other was too long. Following the reunion, we created ‘Cousins’ Getaway,’ inspired to establish a cousins’ weekend. It is an opportunity to connect with other cousins at a designated location and simply relax and have fun. We just completed our first ‘Cousins’ Getaway’ in Northern California. Eleven people gathered for the weekend and we had an amazing time.

From my perspective, every reunion continues to grow with members; every single one is better than the last. Each year the committee members, usually out of frustration, will typically say, “This is it; this is our last year having a reunion!” Trying to plan an event for approximately 200 people is exhausting, yet rewarding. This year, the feedback from several family members was “the best one yet; truly a reunion to remember!”