Family celebrates 80 years of reunions

The Jackson family gathered for its 80th reunion at the Hostess House.

Forty-three descendants of Benjamin Franklin (B.J.) and Eady Elvena (E.E.) Jackson gathered for the 80th annual family reunion at the Hancock Springs Hostess House in Lampasas June 8. Family from Oklahoma, Washington and from all over Texas attended.

B.F. and E.E. Jackson were married in 1866. They moved to Coryell County in 1896 to a farm on Cowhouse Creek south of Gatesville (now part of Fort Hood) large enough to give each of their 10 children a farm when he retired and moved to Lampasas.

On E.E.'s 80th birthday on July 9, 1928, 60 relatives of the couple gathered at Hancock Park, beginning a tradition that has lasted eight decades. Relatives that day included the couple's nine living children.

The reunion has always been in Lampasas and few changes have been noted.

The gathering is held inside the Hostess House instead of at the pavilion or on the lawn, and the date has changed to the second Sunday in June.

Records and notices of the reunion are done on computer, but a sign-in book is at every reunion, and those who do not register are considered not in attendance.

In 1962, a three-person committee established the Jackson Family Memorial Trust at Baylor University to encourage continued education. The fund is supported by family members' contributions, memorials, endowments and bequests.

At the recent gathering, family members shared a potluck meal, sang hymns and held a brief business meeting to share family news and elect officers.

The current slate of officers includes Scott Jackson of Maypearl, president; Dr. Byron Stone of Austin, vice president; Doug Davis of Granbury, secretary; Denise Davis Laurence of Pearland, treasurer; Margaret Milner of Albuquerque, N.M., and Amy Woodfin of Ferndale, Wash., as historians.

Lampasans June Davis and Diane Davis serve as hostesses.

Three family members at the 2008 reunion also were present at the 1928 reunion: Lillian Ruth Pearce Perkins, Carol McCall Woodfin and Jean McCall Patterson.