The Beginning:

Dave Jones, Jr., hailed from Madewood, Louisiana---Josie Alberdia Hite Jones hailed from Virginia.  They met and were married in 1917.  To this 52-year union were born Cynthia Rella, Rose Eleanor, Permilla, George, Levi, Edward, Mildred, Alberdia, Ernest, Olevia, Christeener, and Isreal.  Dave Jones, Jr. , the second son of Dave Jones, Sr., and Rose Jones, had two brothers:  Jesse and Henry, and two sisters: Eva and Earlene.  Josie Alberdia Hite, youngest daughter of Levi  Hite, Sr., and Cynthia Hite, had three brothers: David, Harrison Cornelius, and Levi Jr., and one sister, Lilly Olevia Hite-Fletcher.  Dave and Josie, were also affectionately known as Breely and Honey.  They worked in the sugar cane industry and reared their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  Dave served  as  deacon  at the Virginia Baptist Church and Jubilee songster throughout the Bayou region for many years before his transition in December 1969---Josie served as a  faithful steward at the St. James Methodist and  Virginia Baptist Church throughout her life, she transitioned in December 1993.

The Jones Family Reunion was first held the fourth Saturday in June, 1977, at the Family Homestead in Peterville Lane, Belle Rose,  Assumption Parish—Bayou Lafourche, Louisiana.  The event was inspired by the recall of earlier conversations our father, Dave Jones, Jr., had with Levi Jones.  It was our daddy’s desire that the family came together to celebrate to the glory and praise of our Lord—it was to be a day of praise, thanksgiving and fellowship.  It was Ernest Jones, having learned of daddy’s desire, communicated with his siblings regarding this desire, and prompted the initial Jones Family Reunion on June 25, 1977.   The Jones Family Reunion was therefore held in loving memory of Dave Jones, and dedicated to our mother, Josie Alberdia Jones.  One of the highlights of this annual event was the “Memorial” period in which one of daddy’s favorite songs “Remember Me” was led by Edward Jones, followed by the prayer of thanksgiving and unity.

The Jones Family Reunion was held on the lawn under the pecan trees, and was highlighted by a complete worship service, followed by repast and fellowship.  Rev. Levi Jones preached the first Reunion sermon, and it was determined that the three preaching brothers [Levi, Ernest & George] would rotate in bringing the Gospel message in subsequent reunion events.  Members of the family cooked, baked and provided the food and condiments, and a great time of fellowship was enjoyed by all.  Of historical note is the fact that the (de facto) dress code for the Jones Family Reunion event was “church dress”—men wore coat and tie, women wore dresses or skirts and blouses.  Some of Miss Honey’s granddaughters were sent to redress as they presented in ‘pants.’

As the annual Jones Family Reunion event continued, the attendance grew and it became necessary to provide some structure and guidelines.  Efforts were made to encourage attendance and participation by the children and grandchildren of the siblings of Dave and Josie Jones: Jesse & Henry Jones, Lillie OLevia Fletcher & Levi Hite, Jr. The responsibility of drafting the policies-procedures-guidelines was that of the sons of Dave and Josie Jones.  An Executive Committee was formed and Levi Jones was appointed Moderator of the Jones Family Reunion event—George Jones was appointed Vice Moderator.  The first document outlining the policies-procedures-guidelines of the Jones Family Reunion was drafted by Isreal Jones, and adopted by the Executive Committee on January 30, 1979.  Other committees formed include 1) Program, 2) Protocol/Hospitality; 3) Food & Refreshments and 4) Grounds Clean-up.  The grandchildren played an integral part in the event from the outset, and were encouraged to continue their role in making the event successful and meaningful for all who participated and attended.

In subsequent years, the Jones Family Reunion progressed to the point of concern for our seniors having to endure the June summer heat.  So, the site for the worship service was changed to the Beulah Baptist Church in Bertrandville, Louisiana, where Rev. Levi Jones is Pastor.  Most recently the family has worshipped at the family church of origin, Virginia Baptist Church, Ewellville, Louisiana.  As the number of preachers in the family grew, the Executive Committee agreed to include the grandsons of Dave and Josie Jones in the preaching rotation.  The event was also expanded to the fourth weekend in June, officially commencing on Friday evening and culminating on Sunday afternoon.  This change facilitated more time for family members who traveled long distances to visit and fellowship with those at and near home. 
During intervening years, the Memorial period was also expanded to include all members of the family and friends who transitioned from this earthly sojourn.  Additional information regarding family history can be found on this website---click on Family History.

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During the Brothers’ Retreat in October, 2008, it was determined by the Executive Committee that due to the growth and development of the family, it was time to revise the Policies, Procedures and Guidelines that govern the Jones Family Reunion.  It was determined that it was time to in effect, pass the torch to the next generation for leadership responsibility for the event.  It was during that session of the Executive Committee, the task of drafting and publishing the revision was assigned to the junior member of the committee, and the November and December 2008 Bulletins of the Jones Family Reunion ensued and were distributed to the family.  In those bulletins the revisions to the event were communicated and the new governance made known to the family for Jones Family Reunion 2009.

It was at that point-in-time that the reigns of the dream that Dave Jones, Jr., had for his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren,  great-great grandchildren, generations to follow; nephews and nieces, -grand, great and great-great; friends, his FAMILY, and all of God’s children however known to his family, is passed to his grandchildren, with reassuring and reaffirming counsel from his beloved children.   Concurrently, this is also the genesis of the electronic age in which we communicate information about the Jones Family and the attending events and activities.  A Jones family website will be the primary medium by which family information will flow.

Thus, this is the concise history of the Jones Family Reunion---a work in process.