Wilturner family reunion

Baptiste Wilturner and Julia Comeaux Wilturner formed a union in marriage and began life together on the Comeaux Plantation. Five Children were born, namely Alexson, Alcide, Adrast, Alphonsine and Ammie.

The young men left the plantation to begin their lives independently. These hard working men acquired property in the Ridge Community and other areas. These aggressive young men prospered. They were community-minded and donated land for the Wilturner School, Ridge Tabernacle Society, and Ridge C.M.E. Methodist Cemetery. They housed teachers for the school.

The bonds of the Wilturner family members have endured during which time the family has celebrated twelve bi-annual family reunions.

The Wilturner family members from all over the United States and the world gathered to share news, memories, and fellowship, Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20, 2008.

The Rayne Civic Center became the welcome home site for Julia and Baptiste Wilturner’s descendant to celebrate their three-day 12th Bi-Annual Family Reunion.

Activities began at 6 p.m. Friday, July 18, with registration. Elnora Washington, family president and a fifth generation descendant from Duson, welcomed the descendant of Baptiste.

Julia Comeaux Wilturner Bernadine Senegal, a fifth generation descendant from Rayne, led the family in prayer.

Opening remarks were by Willie Mae Simien a fifth generation descendant from California.

James Earl Johnson, Jr., a fifth generation descendant from Crowley, led in the blessing of the meal.

The family enjoyed a dinner of fried fish, stewed fish, and potato salad, smothered okra, fried chicken, french fries, meat sauce with spaghetti, garlic bread, punch, tea, lemonade or water. Dr. Carolyn Guidry, the wife of Cliffic Guidry a descendant of Ammie Wilturner Chargois, shared ideas with the family. This was a wonderful time to socialize and get acquainted.

On Saturday, July 19, the day began at 11 a.m. with a brunch. Yolinda Washington provided figs as part of the brunch and door prizes. The figs were from a tree planted on the land of Calbertha “Collie” Minard Washington, one of the original founders for the reunion. The mistress of ceremony was Mary Helen Felix, fifth generation descendant. Opening processional’s song was “We’ve Come a Long Way” with lighting of candles for: Baptiste and Julia by Nettie Glover, Alexson by Bashiri Washington, Alcide by June Williams, Adrast by Corey Coleman, Alphonsine by Rhonda Semien Hayes, Ammie by Cliffic Guidry, deceased and living descendants by Serena George and a military tribute by Anaias Prejean, with all military family members present being recognized.

Family President Elnora Washington welcomed eight generation of Julia and Baptiste descendant home. Elnora led the family in the Black Family Reunion Pledge and read the proclamation presented to the committee by the mayor of Rayne. The Rayne City Proclamation was read and presented to committee members on July 14, in the Rayne City Chamber by Mayor James Prejean.

The day continued with scripture readings read by Bashiri Washington, Mikal Davis and Ayana Washington.

The speaker was John Young a sixth generation family member from Lafayette. The topic was family gifts. The family was inspired by a song led by Serena George entitled “It’s a blessing to be Alive”. The occasion was read by Verna Young. Willie Mae Semien led the family in the blessing of the meal.

The song “Family Reunion” was sung while family friends and the seventh and eighth generation of youth served roasts, turkey, rice dressing, green bean casserole, vegetable salad, dinner roll, punch, tea, lemonade, water, coffee and cake to family sitting in Julia and Baptiste dining room (the auditorium).

Family members alternated in sharing information on the history of the family, assisted in preparing the family for the Wilturner historic trivia.

The day continued with committee pictures, recognition of Nettie Glover as the 2009 grand marshal, of Cleveland and Eliza Jones Minard as longest married couple in attendance (60 years). Youngest in attendance was Myra Brielle Young, (3 months), while the oldest in attendance was Ophelia Johnson, (87). Making the most contacts and family meeting hostess was Serena George. The family that traveled the farthest were Mandale and Taquania Washington and their sons, Daron and Darius Washington, who flew in from Yokosuka, Japan.

Gifts were given to all in attendance.

Shirley Wilturner Nash, a family member from Wisconsin, was unable to attend. She called in with greetings!

Family members enjoyed eating, visiting and looking at old family photos and early country living items.

The Unity Praise Team from Rayne spiritually inspired the family.

The family divided into different age groups to connect and share information. John Young and his mother, Verna Young, led the family with questions for the family historic trivia.

The 2008 Wilturner Family Historic Trivia winners were the descendants of Alexson.

The trophy provided by John Young will be housed in Port Arthur Texas in the home of the oldest married couple, Cleveland and Eliza Minard a descendant of Aiexson (60 years).

Charla Ozenne and Tammy Leday had great activities for the youth and all in attendant, Family members elected officers for 2009-2010. Fun activities and socializing continue until 7 p.m. From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., family members and guest ate, received door prizes and danced the night away with music provided by Ben Williams, the seventh generation descendant of Julia and Baptiste Wilturner.

On Sunday morning, July 20, everyone attended the church of their choice, and then gathered for a lunch of pork roast, stuffed turkey, green bean casserole, vegetable salad, dinner roll, spaghetti and meat sauce, punch, tea, juice, water and lemonade. Several door prizes were issued.

A Wilturner Family slide presentation of previous reunion was displayed. One of the family mortician, Joseph Wilturner, Jr. manager of Wilturner Funeral Home of Crowley, shared information with family members. Several family members shared stories.

Closing prayers was led by Willie Mae Semien. The day included words from our 2009-2010, president, Stephen Ozenne.

The newly elected officers met to evaluate and begin preparation for the 20lO reunion. The final meeting for the 2008 family reunion meeting is scheduled for October 2008.

The Wilturner Family sincerely thanks James J. Petitjean, mayor of Rayne, the Council and his staff, the media, the communities of Acadia and Lafayette Parish for assisting to make this three-day reunion possible and for housing family members from throughout the United States and the World.

Special thanks to all who assisted in anyway in making this reunion special… the food committee, servers, decorating committee, purchasing committee, the 2007-2008 officers, youth trainees, advisors and committee members for donating and obtaining door prizes for this reunion.