Crawford Family Gathers For Reunion

The annual family reunion of descendants of James and Nancy ( Davis) Crawford, who raised their kids on the “Pig Trail” — Arkansas 23, was held Saturday, June 29, at The Jones Center 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.

Sixty - four family members, friends, and guests attended this year: 41 from Arkansas and 39 came from Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia.

A covered dish meal was served and 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, 92, of Fayetteville, and Lynette Crawford, 89, of Belton, Texas, as the oldest man and woman. Connor Connolly, 7 months, was the youngest. He is the son of Gary and Tabitha Connolly of Little Rock.

George and Lynette Crawford were longest married for 64 years (and it was 65 years on their anniversary on July 5). The reunion was used to celebrate their 65th anniversary with a beautiful cake from Harps. Cory and Jordan Jones from Cabot, Ark., were most recently married on Sept. 16, 2011. We also took the opportunity to sing happy birthday to Jordan Jones, Kim Newton, and Jerry Crawford.

Wilson and Barbara Newton, and their grandchildren Rachel and Andy, traveled the greatest distance this year from Oregon. Others traveling a long way were Justin, Misty ( Crawford), Abby, and Hannah Stone from Oxford, Ala., as well as James, Susan, Rachel, Jacey, and Cameron Crawford from Bellville, Texas.

George and Lynette Crawford had the most family at the reunion with 22 members.

The next reunion is planned for June 28, 2014, the last Saturday in June, at The Jones Center in Springdale. All Crawfords and kinfolks are cordially urged to attend and invite all their family members to come next year.