Crawford Family Gathers June 30

SPRINGDALE — The annual family reunion of descendants of James and Nancy (Davis) Crawford was held Saturday, June 30, at the Jones Center for Families in Springdale.

James and Nancy Crawford came to Arkansas from Kentucky in the late 1860s. They settled on West Flemings Creek near Fly Gap, south of St. Paul in Madison and Franklin Counties. Coming with them from Kentucky and settling on adjoining lands, were their seven children: George, John, Kathryn, Mary, Gilbert, Charles and Emily.

Descendants of their seven children gather annually for a family reunion and to visit old home places and communities in the area.

Eighty- nine family members, friends, and guests attended this year. Fifty kinfolks and friends attended from Arkansas while 39 came from Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia to join those from Arkansas.

Tribute was paid to those who died during the past year and to current and former military service members, with 23 veterans in attendance.

A covered dish meal was served at noon. Following lunch, introductions were made, a business meeting was held, and door prizes were awarded.

The afternoon was spent getting acquainted, relating family memories and having fun.

The children and young folks had a wonderful time enjoying ice skating, swimming and other excellent facilities at the Jones Center for Families. All those at the reunion were asked to contact family members and urge them to come next year.

The following were recognized:

Frank Collins, 91, of Fayette- ville and Lynette Crawford, 88, of Belton, Texas, as the oldest man and woman.

Evie Irene Lamb age 2months was the youngest. She is the daughter of Brandon and Samantha Lamb of Little Rock.

George and Lynette Crawford were longest married for 63 years (and it was 64 years on their anniversary July 5, 2012). Cory and Jordan Jones from Cabot, were most recently married on Sept. 16, 2011.

Earl and Janet (Crawford) Bennett, from Falls Church, Va., traveled the greatest distance this year. Others traveling a long way were George Willard Crawford from Peachtree City, Ga., as well as Justin, Misty (Crawford), Abby, and Hannah Stone from Oxford, Ala.

George and Lynette Crawford had the most family at the reunion with 21 members.

The next reunion is planned for June 29, 2013.