Let us first take a moment of silence for those family members who have passed on since the last reunion and those who couldn't make it here this weekend.
The Chicago committee is grateful for all of you who are here with us this weekend to celebrate life, family and the rich history of the decedents of Owen and Amanda Spurlin. We are together in this room tonight not only because we wanted to be here but also because God wanted us to be here. God has been that motivating force in all of our lives that brought this family from slavery to success. And just as we are many members but one body in Christ, we are living members of the bodies of Owen and Amanda; the fruit of her womb, the products of his labor, the leaves that have fallen close to their mighty tree.
Our tree stands tall and proud as it has for many generations because of its foundation on solid ground and its deep roots; the soil from which we emerged and the ground to which we return. Recently, during the home going celebration for my beloved Aunt Mary, our branch had the opportunity to come together to mourn her death and celebrate her life. She was a beautiful woman in many ways; inside and out and losing her was both a blessing and a cause for grief; a blessing because she had been ill for a while and her earthly shell no longer had to suffer and grief because of course she would be missed.
We had the great fortune, however, of meeting a hearse driver who empathized with both our sorrow and our satisfaction in knowing that after 90 years of life, Mary had gone on to be with her parents, siblings, and children who went on before her. He considered it an honor to drive someone who had lived as long as she had, who had seen as much as she had, and who had been through as much as she had to her final resting place. He took great time and care in leading the procession of cars to the cemetery and explained to us in great detail why he had done so. He reminded us all that in Mississippi where she was born, during the time in which she was born she would have had to be careful to adhere to those Southern laws we all now see for how backwards they really are; she would have answered "yes sir" and "no sir" or "yes ma'am" and "no ma'am" to whites who spoke to her; she would have had to step off of the sidewalk into the muddy street to allow a white man, woman or child to pass her bye.
Her parents worked hard to move the family out of the south in order to give their children a better life. Many of her parents' siblings did the same and what we have to show for their efforts are the doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, business owners, architects, and the parents who remained home to raise us to be all of those things represented in this ever expanding family tree. If you've seen the movie Redtails about the Tuskegee Airmen, you've seen a story about a cousin of yours. If you've followed the progress of the rebuilding in Haiti after the disastrous earthquake, then you've seen the work of a cousin of yours. If you've paid attention to the war in the middle east, then you've seen the efforts of a cousin of yours.
Jerome D. Spurlin son of Edward and Hallie Spurlin, grandson of Owen and Amanda Spurlin was one of a select few African Americans who were trained to handle every aspect of flying and maintaining army aircraft during WWII. The Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. has since made it it's mission to "honor the accomplishments and perpetuate the history of African-Americans who participated in the air crew, ground crew and operations support training in the Army Air Corps during WWII, introduce young people across the nation to the world of aviation and science through local and national programs such as Young Eagles and TAI youth programs and activities, and provide educational assistance to students and awards to deserving individuals, groups and corporations whose deeds lend support to TAI's goals. TAI also supports the Tuskegee Airmen Award presented to deserving cadets in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Program."
Jon Randall, son of Theresa Randall, grandson of Almeda Spurlin and Louis Randall, great-grandson of Owen and Amanda Spurlin is an architect by trade who has devoted much of his life, talent and energy to improving the lives of many of God's most unfortunate children. He wanted very much to be with us here tonight but couldn't because he is currently in Haiti helping to build a hospital and orphanage. Cousins Jon and his wife Yolanda enjoy spreading the gospel worldwide and have had the good fortune and pleasure to be able to do so in Brazil, Panama, Haiti and Africa.
William Watkins III, fondly known as "Little Bill" is the son of Amanda and William Watkins II, grandson of Owen Spurlin and Olivia Moore, great-grandson of Owen and Amanda Spurlin. He is currently bravely serving as a fighter pilot in Afghanistan.
We are here and there and everywhere but what brings us together bi-annually is the grace of God and the faith and fortitude of our forefather and foremother Owen and Amanda Spurlin. We would be nothing without them but aren't we all SOMETHING because of them?
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