Layne Family Reunion Memories

Wednesday - August 12, 2009

(This post may not warrant many comments - then most of the postings don't - but it is one for the family who will remember the "Homecomings" we had in August!!!!!)

This past weekend would have been the "Layne Family Reunion." It was held the Sunday closest to August 10 - my grandfather's birthday. He was originally from Gate City, Virginia and moved to Stiltner, WV. To those who are from the area - Stiltner is now under the water of the East Lynn Lake!!! Pappaw and Mammaw moved to the head of the Left Fork of Lick Creek in Wayne County in 1910. The had only three children at that time - Thelma, Oma, and Aubrey (Aunt Hammy, Aunt Oma, and Uncle Son to me). The other four children - Palmer, Eskow, Faye, and Elmer (Uncle Pak, Uncle Pete, Aunt Dean, and Dad) were born here in WV.

My grandfather's older brother - Samuel Lane - was already here in WV which was apparently an enticing factor for my Grandfather and his young family to make the trip and to settle on a 103 acres of farm land. Uncle Sam's wife also was a sister to my grandmother which didn't hurt in their decision to settle here in WV! My grandfather farmed his new land as well as delivered mail by horseback!! He would have been 127 years old on his birthday. The grandfather I remember was a quiet tall man who loved to play jokes on those close to him. He was a hard worker and raised seven hard working children.

The reunions started in the late 50's or early 60's. It was a way to get his children and grandchildren together. Two of his children - Uncle Pak and Uncle Pete lived close within miles of the home place. Aunt Hammy, Aunt Oma, and Uncle Son moved to Logan County; Aunt Dean moved to Waverly, Ohio; and Dad moved to Huntington after returning home from WWII. He went to trade school and ended up getting a job in Huntington. All were close enough that on many Sunday afternoons there was a caravan of cars going up the "holler" to visit with Mammaw and Pappaw. We have to remember the roads were partially creek beds while the rest of the road way had deep ruts from the spring rains!! No blacktop or gravel was put on the road which took us to our grandparents home. That was okay by us - it was always an adventure for us as to where we would get stuck and have to pulled out by Uncle Pak's big logging truck!!! We have so many happy memories!!

I do remember Dad saying the State Road started plowing the road and smoothing it out after he got home from the service. The road ended up being worked on right before the time of the reunion. This worked out well for all those who traveled many miles to join the family. One thing I remember is that my aunts from Logan and the ones who lived close would get together and give the house a good spring cleaning in July. I was always lucky enough to be sent in to help - especially when I got older!!!! Boy, could my Grandmother and Aunts find plenty of work for me. I didn't mind - it was fun being with them!!!!! It wasn't the hard work I really remember - it's the fun we had when all the cousins got together!! (Plus all the good home cooked food!!!!!)

The following are pictures of my grandparents - and a few others that seemed to be a tradition to have taken at the reunions!!!!

My grandparents - William J Layne and Virginia Bell Davidson Layne

An earlier picture of my grandfather (on the left) and his older brother - Uncle Sam Lane. When living in Virginia, the family spelled their last name as "Lane." It was when my father was in school that he was told he was spelling his name WRONG!!! Can you imagine getting by with that now??? So, my Dad, grandfather, and two of my uncles started spelling their last name "Layne!" I do know that Dad's legal documents have his name as "Layne!"

A picture of Mammaw sitting on the bank up from the house!!!
Dad said my grandfather did not like to have his picture taken - until the twins came along!!! we have many pictures of Pappaw hold John and me!!! Dink is standing in front of Pappaw; John's on the right; and I'm on the left!
Now Pappaw is holding Mike with Dink, me, and John standing in front of him on the bank up from the house. Many picture were taken on that bank!! :):)

The cellar is in the background with the long table Pappaw built to hold all the food prepared for the reunion. The table was also used when it was time to put the fresh vegetables in the jars to be canned and used during the winter months. Uncle Pete was caught getting a second helping of something - Kay is on the upper right side of the picture! Notice how much food is still on the tables!!!

One of the earlier reunions with Pappaw, Mammaw and their seven children. Notice my grandmother and aunts wearing their aprons - does anyone wear aprons when cooking any more?????

Front row: left-right: Uncle Pak, Aunt Hammy, Pappaw, Mammaw

Second row: Uncle Pete, Dad, Aunt Oma, Uncle Son, and Aunt Dean

Once my grandparents decided they could no longer stay at the home place all year, they moved into the house which was built for them behind our house in Huntington. This house was literally torn down piece by piece and rebuilt. It was the house that had been built for Mom and Dad when they first got married. It was up the road from Mammaw and Pappaw's house! My uncles tore it down and rebuilt it for them. This picture was taken at the last reunion we had with all the family together. My grandfather passed away the next spring!

Front row: Uncle Son, Mammaw, Pappaw, Aunt Hammy (she had suffered a stroke with her left side affected!)

At the reunions, there was always someone saying "where are the girls?" Some of the family felt we three (Donetta, Sandy, and me) looked alike. We had to pose for these pictures every year. One other cousin should have been with us - Donna Gail where were you????

After the reunions and on most Sunday afternoons, you would find my Grandfather and others sitting on a bench below the house. This was the coolest place to sit. There was a big willow tree which provided plenty of shade!!! This is Dad and my grandfather!

A picture of Pappaw reflecting on all that has happened!! He was a gentle giant and was loved very much!!!!

There are so many memories of these Layne gathering that I can't write them all in one posting!! I know there are many pictures out there taken by cousins who have stashed them away for keepsakes. If you should have some more pictures taken at these family gatherings and would like to share them - I'd appreciate it!!!!! More memories of these August gatherings will be shared later on other postings!