Wade family reunion held
Published 10:27 am Friday, August 5, 2016
- Many people attended the Wade family reunion, held June 18-19 at the Darlington Heights Firehouse in Prince Edward.
The descendants of Lizzie and Maxie Wade met for their ninth reunion on June 18-19 at the Darlington Heights Firehouse in Prince Edward County. There was fun, food and fellowship for all ages during the weekend.
The history of the family has been researched extensively by Kimberley Wade Ray. She has documented research that Maxie Wade was born on March 12, 1868, to John “Jack” and Clementine Wade at Avondale — the residence of G. W. Watson in the Taro community of Charlotte County.
Maxie died on Jan. 15, 1919, during the influenza epidemic. His wife, Lizzie Jackson Wade, was born to Martha Ann and Elijah Jackson in 1866. Her birthplace is unknown, but some evidence supports it may have been in the Madisonville area of Charlotte County. Lizzie and Maxie were parents of 13 children.
Three of their children died within a year of their birth and one child died during his adolescence.
Their surviving children either moved to West Virginia to seek employment or remained in the Taro Community. Lizzie and Maxie are buried in the St. Andrews Baptist Church cemetery in Cullen. Several of their children are also buried there.
The weekend began with a “Meet and Greet” and Family Choir rehearsal on Saturday morning. The program began with Belinda Morton Gee giving opening remarks followed by prayer by Minister Jonathan Wade.
Greetings were extended to all by Ashley Roberts. Introduction of the children and their descendants, of Lizzie and Maxie Wade, were presented by Justin Wade. A Litany of Remembrance was read by India and Tre’ Holcomb.
Presentations to the honorees for the reunion, twin sisters — Naomi Wilson Holland and Ruth Wilson Holcomb, were made by Mary Wilson Holcomb. The following empowerment sessions were held: “Reach Out and Touch” — Kim Ray, “Supporting Your Foundation” — Cornell Goldman and Brian Goldman, and “Where Do We Go From Here?” — George Wayne Carrington.
The family enjoyed listening to how technology is being incorporated into the family’s communication, being updated on St. Andrews Baptist Church’s current expansion project and brainstorming’s about continuing the family legacy. Family news was reported by Elizabeth Carrington and Stacy Wade.
The food was blessed by Tiffany Randolph and the family enjoyed a delicious dinner, “$2 Pyramid Game” and fellowship. Charmie Bruce, granddaughter of Lizzie and Maxie Wade, was presented a plaque compliments of F&S Enterprises, the photographer for the reunion. It is inscribed with the family‘s theme, “A Tree Is Known By the Fruit It Bears” and a picture of the daughters of the late Rosa Wade Wilson.
On Sunday morning, the family worshipped with the St. Andrews Baptist Church family.
Minister Jonathan Wade, the great great-grandson of Lizzie and Maxie Wade preached a spirit–filled sermon and the Wade Family Choir under the direction of Gleniss Wade provided the music.
Family members returned to the Darlington Heights Firehouse for dinner and farewell. Everyone left for their homes in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, D. C. and Virginia, making plans for 2018.