The Family Reunion Keeps this Family’s Legacy Alive and Thriving

Summers are for family reunions. They are an opportunity to bring together generations under an umbrella of celebration and cheer. For the Halcrombe Family, who celebrated their 30th biennial family reunion, it was the resurrection of a family tradition led by five of the 13 original Halcrombe siblings present at their first family reunion.

After interruptions in 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic and health and safety concerns for older family members, Halcrombes from all over the U.S., from Georgia to California, came together for the first time since 2018. The family fellowship took place in Hot Springs and Conway, Arkansas , late last month.

“Holding on to the legacy of family history is very important. In Black families, much of our history in this country begins with enslavement which robbed many Black families of their personal history,” said Casimir ‘Cas’ Spencer, a Los Angeles resident and granddaughter of the eldest living Halcrombe family member, 88-years-young Louise Halcrombe Spencer.

From Tragedy to Celebration

A family tragedy in the late 1980s spurred Louise Halcrombe and the Monroe Halcrombe branch, consisting of five of her siblings and a cousin, to launch the first Halcrombe Family reunion to remain close and as a means of support.

The first celebration was held during Thanksgiving in 1995 with a small group of family members, including the Monroe siblings, their children and grandchildren and a few close cousins from the extended Halcrombe tree.

The biennial celebrations began in July 2000, held in various states represented by each Halcrombe Reunion founding member, and grew as family members sought to host in their home state. States currently represented include Illinois, Ohio, Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Denver and California.

“Now that we are able to connect the dots with the advancement of technology and reunite our family trees, it's important for Black families to come together and celebrate the rich roots that exist within our community,” said Casimir.

“There is so much negativity in the world and so much to be upset about; celebrating family in this way reminds us of what’s truly important: making memories and enjoying loved ones while you can.”

Why Reunions Matter

“To reminisce, connect and reconnect with family we don’t know and to share memories and keep the memories alive” is one of the most important reasons for the family reunion, stated Annie Mae Halcrombe Wardlow of Conway, Arkansas. The second oldest living Halcrombe family member and Louise Halcrombe’s first cousin, her father, Ben Halcrombe, was the brother of Louise’s father, Monroe Halcrombe.

“It feels good to be surrounded by the legacy of the Halcrombe ancestry. We don’t know when it's going to be the last time we’ll see someone. So it’s important to keep this going and connect and reconnect with more family we’ve never known before.”

Planning a sizable family reunion has its challenges. “One of the biggest includes effectively communicating to the family about the details of the reunion, especially as it relates to family outside of the Monroe Halcrombe bunch,” said Casimir .

“The siblings usually have their own de facto phone campaigns where they reach out to family in various states to inform them about the reunions, but the bulk of the communication efforts are up to the host state, which is comprised of a committee responsible for nailing down the dates, activities, assessment fees, hotel accommodations, reunion t-shirt orders, financial accountability, recordkeeping and outreach to all family members.”

The family suggests that reunion planning start early. “We actually give each host city a full two years to plan and execute their individual reunions,” Casimir explained. By planning events that appeal to everyone, you can keep the cost of the reunion low so you can have a larger turnout and campaign to your family’s interest.

“We have QR codes set up for the reunion itinerary and family dinner/dance program. This allows us to communicate quicker and more efficiently while also including more exciting content to appeal to families to join the celebration.”

Their hard work paid off. Starting with the reunion business meeting, helmed by Sheila Spencer, a university-educated and trained economist who ensures the security and longevity of the family’s legacy, this year included a formal dress event with a roaring 1920s Great Gatsby theme, followed by visiting family milestones and a family park day inside a local park in Conway, Arkansas. “Everyone wore their reunion t-shirts along with custom name tags on how each person is connected,” Casmir said.

Elvis Bruce Halcrombe of San Jose, California, celebrated his first Halcrombe family reunion by meeting his extended family. Found via Facebook in 2023, his great-grandfather, Reed Halcrombe, and Louise Halcrombe’s grandfather were brothers. ”Passing down the legacy to my kids is the most important reunion,” he shared. “It forces me to go down and kiss the ground of Arkansas, which is where we were rooted.”

The Black Family Reunion: Distinctively Ours

“We’ve definitely made it the summer pastime for our culture,” Casimir declared. No matter where you go in the U.S., Black families get together to barbecue, catch up on old times, dance to new and old school tunes of the summer, hit the card table with Spades and Bid Whist or turn on the double spinner magic with dominoes.

Said Casimir, “It's our time for relaxation where we don’t have to code switch or worry about how we’re being perceived by others. It's a time to celebrate one another and our collective legacy as a family. It's a safe place to have honest conversations about life, to dance without hesitation and hug, kiki and joke on and with our favorite cousins, which is all of them.”

Ann added, “ It feels good to be surrounded by the legacy of the Halcrombe ancestry. We don’t know when it's going to be the last time we’ll see someone, so it’s important to keep this going and connect and reconnect with more family we’ve never known before.”

So what does matriarch Louise Halcrombe Spencer have to say about the importance of the reunions?

“I think this is all wonderful and would like the reunions to continue as long as possible. It takes a lot of work and energy to put these together but it’s worth it when we’re all together and able to reminisce fondly on old times and make new memories,” she stated.

“It’s important for future generations to know who they are and to know who their family is. Our legacy is not enslavement or difficult and oppressive times. Yes, it happened, and we remember to protect future generations, but our legacy is our family. The family that raised and nurtured us, taught us about the Lord, taught us how to pray and the meaning of faith. Those teachers and role models are our legacy. Their sacrifice to give us the opportunities we have today is our legacy. Our belief in family and unity is our legacy. We are the legacy.”