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Historical Reflections
Everything has its begining and so it was with the J.A.M. Family Reunion.
1969 was the year; the year that Carrie B. Tabb's dream of organizing a family reunion became reality. Families from the north traveled south to Bessemer, Alabama to the home of Walter
and Susie Sharp, there the first Joseph Reunion was born. Those in attendance were the children and grandchildren of the late Rev. John and Elizzie Joseph, along with his brother, the late Ezekiel Joseph of Detroit, Michigan, the late Annie Lee Williams Thomas of Montgomery, Alabama ( the niece of Elizzie Joseph), and Johnny Brown of Montgomery, Alabama( the cousin of Rev. John Joseph).
The excitement of Carrie's idea was overwhelming as plans were made for yet another reunion. Uncle Ezekiel made a request that the next reunion be held at his home in Detroit, Michigan, but he passed away before that time. The second reunion was held in Cleveland, Ohio. Families from the south traveled north to the home of Robert and Yvonne Means.
The word spread quickly; from Bessemer to Hopehull, to Mobile, to Detroit, to Chicago, to Indiana, to Tampa, to Califorina and so on. Since those years we have traveled to Detroit, Michigan and other family memebers hve joined us in the celebration of our heritage.
As some may know, Adam Joseph married Susan Adams more than 100 years ago, and King Moncrief and Ann Adams were married in the 1880's. The union of these three families and the birth of their offsprings created what we know today as the J.A.M. Family.
Our forefathers were God fearing people who taught their children to be God fearing as well. Attending church was as mandatory as working in the fields. We were taught to be respectful, hardworking men and women.
As we remeber our history, we also relect on our many accomplishments. Many thought impossible for them have become reality for us; from the slave plantation to the large corporation; from southern and northern backyards, to the finest hotels and the like. The union of these three families has produced generations of professionals in all walks of life: educators, scientists, engineers, businessmen, policemen, lawyers, judges, doctors, musicians, preachers, producers, and more.
Through prayer, togetherness, love for one another and determination, our family has continued to survive, with its legacy prospering and its dream expanding. As we continue to exercise what we've been taught and pass it on to our children, they too will know... "THE DEEPER THE ROOT, THE STRONGER THE BOND"
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