After action report PLEMMONS, PLEMON, PLEMONS reunion

22-24 June 2001 North Carolina.


Arriving in Leicester, NC for the Plemmons/Plemons Reunion, Gene and Betty started arguing about the pronunciation of the town. They argued back and forth until they stopped for lunch. As they stood at the counter, Betty asked the waitress, "Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are, very slowly?" The girl leaned over the counter and said, "Burrrr-Gerrrrr- Kiiing.


Our co-host ROY A. PLEMMONS and FRANCIS & JANET WEBB did a bang up job planning and coordinating activities. Those that arrived early for the reunion gathered at the home of Francis and Janet Webb in Waynesville, NC. for what we refer to as the early bird get together. There were 34 people under the carport exchanging tales and feeding their faces. John Robert and Reba Plemons from Leeds, AL came a few days early and assisted Francis and Janet in the setup and food preparation. Since parking in the Webb driveway was limited, arrangements had been made with the Baptist Church about 5 blocks away to use their parking lot. Drivers would drop off their passengers at the house then David Webb or Joe Plemons would shuttled drivers back and forth from the Church parking lot. This arrangement worked out beautifully.

The main event was Saturday 23 June. The fire training hall had to be set up and ready for action by 11:00am. Tables were folded and stacked in a corner. Chairs were folded and hung on a chair holding cart in another corner. Volunteers started showing up at 8:00 am. Well before the 11:00 am deadline everything except the food was in place and ready for the festivities to begin. Families started to arrive with food in hand. Soon the kitchen looked like a banquet fit for a king was going to take place. A registration table was set up at each entrance. The greatest distance traveled was BURNICE PLEMMONS CLARK from Quartzsite, Arizona and ALANA PLEMONS WOFFINDEN with her three children, Austin Joseph, Amber Analyse, and Shad Allen from Orem, Utah. The Woffinden family drove from Utah to Oklahoma where they then teamed up with Alans's father Leon Plemons for the drive on in. A stop off in Memphis was necessary for a new radiator to be installed.

ROY A. PLEMMONS blessed the food and the kitchen was opened. There was more than enough food except for the Pecan pie which was being eyed by a number of those going through the line.

Who attended the reunion? A count of those that registered revealed that there were 138 in attendance from 12 different states. Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah. Surnames follow: AKIN, BRACKETT, BRADBURN, BROOKS, BRUMLOW, BUCKNER, BUHRMANN, HAPMAN, CLARK, FRANKLIN, GRIFFIN, GUNTER, HALL, HAMES, HARVEY, HILER, HORTON, HUGHES, JONES, KIBBEY, KINYON, LACKEY, LEDFORD, LEJEUNE, LOVINGGOOD, MEARS, MILLER, OWENS, PITT, PLEMMONS, PLEMONS, PLEMON, RHYMES, ROLAND, RUSH, SMITH, SPURGEON, TATE, TURNER, WADELL, WALKER, WEBB, WILSON, WINCHESTER, WOFFINDEN, WOOD.

After everyone got a plate full and settled in ROY A. PLEMMONS was introduced. He had a few words to say and a couple of whoppers to tell. Then he introduced RICK WALKER of the (SAR) Sons of the American Revolution. During Rick's presentation he indicated that the descendants of PETER PLEMONS 1750 were eligible to join the SAR as it has been established that Peter was a revolutionary soldier. He offered to assist anyone that was interested.

Next WARREN HALE PLEMONS editor of the Plemmons-Plemons News Letter "BRANCHES" was introduced. Warren had a number of copies of some back issues of "Branches" which he made available to those that wanted them. Branches is a non-profit hobby of Warrens with which he has done a wonderful job. Joe maintains the mailing list for him.

Next JANET WEBB, author of "PLEM???NS" 2001 family history book was introduced as the keynote speaker. Janet spoke on "the migration of the Plemmons - Plemons family from North Carolina". When Janet finished her speech I do not think that anyone in the audience had any doubts about her knowledge of the early Plemons family.

Numbers were drawn for door prizes. Each name on the register was assigned a number. Tickets with those numbers were placed in the container. When a number was drawn it was compared with the register to see who won. If someone was out of the room for what-ever reason they didn't loose out on the drawing. Donated door prizes consisted of:

Umbrella ,Men's Devotional Bible, Picture Album, A quart of candy (whoppers) (The donor thought it would be very appropriate as Plemmons tend to tell some pretty big whoppers at times) and a Hand painted Plate Commemorating the occasion. BARBARA PLEMONS of Madisonville, TN went home with the plate.

Joe presented a special hand painted personalized plate to Roy and one to Francis & Janet in appreciation for all the hard work they put into making the reunion a success.

A very special thanks to the women that took charge of and saw to it the kitchen flowed smoothly. Also to everyone that stayed and gave us a hand cleaning up and putting away the tables and chairs.

Sunday morning 9:00am the Ramada Plaza Hotel at Exit 44 on Interstate 40 set up a special dining area in the lobby for the hanger-ons to have a good-by buffet breakfast. About 35 showed up for the breakfast. Entertainment was furnished by Betty Plemon (that is right, she lost her S). They descend from Levi Oliver Plemon born in Canada. Census shows Levi's father was born in France.

William Lester (Bill) Plemmons Jr., and wife drove in from Charlotte, NC and arrived Sunday just after almost everyone had left. Rodney & Sherri Brooks along with Gene & Betty Plemon were still there and got to visit with them. Bill, we appreciate you driving in to be with us and are very sorry we missed you and your wife.

Nadine Brooks would like it be known that the swimming pool and jacuzzi at the Ramada Plaza was far out.

It was really great being able to place a face with those that had only been known by their email address.


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