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The beginning of the Summerall Family gathering was the work of the late Mrs. Beatrice Stevens, 1892-1965. “Aunt Bea” as she was known by many of the family members, recognized the need for and the benefits of such a Gathering for family members. On Sunday, August 14, 1955, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gourdine, 5 West Main Street in Norwalk, Connecticut, she shared her thoughts and ideas with other family members. The idea of bringing the family together to sing, pray and to give thanks to God for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon us was discussed with Samuel Summerall. This was such a successful, united discussion between the two cousins that they agreed to go back to the home site in Baxley, Georgia where most of the older relatives lived and talk the matter over with them. Since Mr. Summerall was unable to return to Baxley at that time, Mrs. Stevens accepted the responsibility.

In August of 1956, the first Gathering was held in Baxley, Georgia at the Thankful New Jersey Baptist Church. Mrs. Stevens was elected president and served in that capacity until her health began to fail.

During her life, Aunt Bea dreamed of having all of her 16 children together for a family gathering. This idea materialized. The first Stevens Family Gathering was held in 1946 at the family home at 720 Loomis Avenue in Daytona Beach, Florida. Program activities included musical renditions by the Stevens Family at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida. A Stevens Family Concert was held at the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Second Avenue in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Summerall Family Gathering held in Baxley, Georgia was chosen as the location because it was this location that Jack and Mariah grew up and raised their own children. It was a place where the largest number of their heirs to this day, continue to live. It was also the place where Aunt Bea’s grandparents, Jack and Mariah, as well as her parents, Ceasar and Abbie Sharpe were buried. Therefore, Baxley, Georgia (Appling County), was the location that gave birth and identity to the family as we know it.

It was Aunt Bea’s desire that by coming together each year, the family –from the youngest to the oldest—could sit and fellowship. The young could listen to the experiences of those who grew up during the days when oppression of Black people was an acceptable way of life. The young would also learn how the older people had to struggle to survive. She wanted them to see that regardless of the oppression and racism, many of the family members were “pressing on the upward way,” and they could do likewise.

Aunt Bea also wanted to provide an opportunity to those who are saved by the grace of God, to share their faith with those who were lost. She wanted to make it possible for the family to have fellowship not only here on earth, but in heaven as well. The words of the song, “Where there will always be hello. Hello and never goodbye.”

Ours is called “Family Gathering” because that is the term that Aunt Bea started with her immediate family in Daytona Beach, Florida. She wanted all of the siblings to “gather” once a year in the same way. Thus The Family Gathering.

A large number of members of the Jack Summerall Family remained in Baxley since slavery.

During the next ten years of the Family Gathering, Mrs. Adella McCall, Mrs. Murtice Burch, Mrs. Merle Anfield and Mr. Samuel Summerall served as president. Mrs. Murtice Burch was elected a second time in 1977.

The fifth president, Mr. Samuel Summerall, discussed the idea of erecting a monument in memory of Jack and Mariah Summerall. Mrs. Burch, our sixth president, continued to work for the structure. 

During the administration of our seventh president, Mr. Wally Burgess, the Summerall Memory Stone was dedicated on the grounds of the thankful New Jersey Baptist Church, Baxley, Georgia. This stone represents the root of this family and from this root of Jack and Mariah, are many branches, some of which are Abbie Sharpe, Rosa McNeil, Walt Summerall, Josiah “Sire” Summerall, Lawrence Summerall, Charles Summerall, Henry Summerall, Victoria Summerall Lovett, Mattie Summerall Williams, Henrietta Summerall Suber and the Davis Family. Sisters of this family include Hanno Hall and Martha Durham and brother, Sire Tillman.

The Jack Summerall Community Corporation was organized in 1969. The Reverend Rozell Gilmore was elected president.

Our eighth president, Mr. Willie Porter, served faithfully and willingly to the best of his knowledge.

Our ninth president, Mrs. Mattie L. Baker, strongly believed that without God, we can do nothing and with God, all things are possible. Under her leadership, the Isabell Gordon Memorial Garden was created and an 11 X 14 portrait of our founder, Mrs. Beatrice Stevens, was presented to the Jack Summerall family.

Our youth have been constantly recognized for their achievements in education and other activities. The adults of all ages are recognized for achievements and promotions.

The Memorial Walk/Run with services at the Old Field Cemetery was included in the activities.

The King and Queen Contests were also included. The coronation of Mr. and Miss Summerall culminated at the biennial banquet on Saturday night. Other awards included awards and honors as well as presentations to our elders and service men and women.

The Reverend Rozell Gilmore, president of the corporation, made the following recommendation: That Mrs. Isabel Gordon (Aunt Bell), his grandmother, donate the land for the site of the corporation and that a workshop on teenage pregnancy be added to the activities.

The Investment Club ($500) was presented by Michael Burgess. The SUPER SENIORS were officially named for family members who reached the age of 80. The Summerall Benevolent Committee was officially formed. One person from each branch comprised the committee.

The Scholarship Committee was officially formed. One person from each branch made up the committee. Family members who made donations were recognized in the program book. Our first scholarships as well as graduation gifts to high school graduates were officially presented.

The Jack Summerall Community Center was realized. The Executive Board was established. The purpose of the Community Center was established. A Ways and Means plan was developed for financing this project. In the five-year plan, each member would pay $100 for the next five years to finance this project. The JS 1000 Club was established. We obtained the 501(c)3 status on August 9, 1999 and dedicated the JS Community Center Office, located at 181 West Parker Street, Baxley, Georgia.

The Jack Summerall Community Center Executive Board officers and members were as follows: LaWanda Jackson, Esq., Executive Director; Amos Green, Jr., President; Dorothy Stevens, Recording Secretary; Christine Williams, Treasurer. Members included, Elaine Brown, Ricky Jackson, Edward Sharpe, Dr. Areatha Nanton, and Osby McMillan and The Reverend Edward Williams, resident agent. Please note that each member represented his/her branch of the Summerall Family. Our purpose today is the same as it was in 1999—to contribute to the Baxley Community through the auspices of the Summeralls and to have a permanent structure with that name embedded in the Georgia soil.

During this decade, the JS Executive Board published its first family recipe book called, Jack’s Smacks’. Family members were asked to send favorite recipes from their families for publication. Nine years later, our second volume of Jack’s Smacks was produced. We also reintroduced a new version of the Ms. Summerall Contest.

During our  “Golden Jubilee Celebration,” we produced and published our 50th Anniversary souvenir of our Gathering in 2005. We also hired our first grant writer. We developed a plan for our land. We would call it a Techno Café and Learning Center, which would include classrooms, Techno Café, a game room and possibly a movie theater.

We also formed an Advisory Board comprising of members of the Baxley Community: George Skipper, business owner; Hosea Isom, contractor and long-time friend of the family; Vernon Aldridge, Coroner of Appling County, Dale Spell, CEO Baxley Hospital and Jeff Baxley, City Manager. We also met with and obtained support from Tommie Williams, Georgia State Senator, Appling County; Dr. Johnson, Superintendent of Appling County Schools; City Council of Baxley and the Chamber of Commerce.

Initially, we applied for several grants with little success. After many, many meetings, discussions and suggestions of how to erect a permanent structure in Baxley, in August of 2012, we unveiled the Jack & Mariah Summerall Memorial Park on land previously purchased by the Summeralls. The work continues and there is still a lot to be done. But God did not bring us this far to leave us.