FUNSTON, Ga. — It was December 1889, when Caleb William and Eliza Ann Shell Harvey, along with their nine surviving children, three friends and a few cows, boarded three covered wagons, bound for south Georgia.

Dooly county had been their home for many years, but the promise of fertile land and a better future beckoned them. It was a journey that would take three days and cover eighty-five miles, leaving the Thursday before Christmas and arriving on Saturday night. They would settle in Center Hill, a rural community in Colquitt county, where they would build a home, farm and welcome two more children.

In August of 1918, as World War I was nearing its end, Caleb and Eliza, decided that Rockyford, near the homestead, would be the site of the first Harvey Family Reunion. It was always the second weekend of August, originally a one-day affair, it evolved into a two-day event before returning to the one-day format a few years ago.

On Saturday, August 12, 2017, a century later, their Harvey descendants gathered at the Funston Community Center to celebrate this long-standing tradition. An occasion 100 years in the making, it was attended from far and wide. From all around Georgia and Florida to Texas and North Carolina, family came to participate in the celebration.

The tables were covered in white cloths, adorned with fresh flowers in blue Mason jars. Multi-colored balloons, emblazoned with 100 Years, dotted the ceiling, and a sign, welcoming everyone to the 100th, hung over the entrance.

Tom Tillman, aided by his daughter, Jackie Duncan, provided a slide show that ran throughout the day, showing scenes from reunions past and family photos of today as well as days gone by. It was a moving tribute to the past, present and future generations of the Harvey family.

The great-granddaughter of Caleb and Eliza, Irene Godwin, long-time and much-loved president of the reunion, greeted the large crowd in attendance, as well as presenting the memorial, which included Frances Ricks, Marion Harvey and Bucky Carlton.

During the devotional, John Godwin, son of Irene, stressed the importance of family in the scriptures and our relationship with our heavenly Father.

Don Williams, one of only three surviving grandchildren of Caleb and Eliza, reminisced about times spent growing up in the Harvey family. He talked about their journey from Dooly County and the hardships they must have faced. He shared a personal story involving one of his aunts and castor oil that brought tears of laughter to those in attendance. He recalled times spent with various aunts and uncles and told of the love and care that each had for one another.

After Tom Tillman blessed the food, a bountiful meal was enjoyed, which included a cake commemorating the milestone.

The oldest in attendance was Frances Folsom, the only surviving granddaughter of Caleb and Eliza; the youngest was Theron Strickland, son of Chad and Stephanie Strickland and grandson of Jimmy and Dorenda Strickland; the greatest distance was traveled by Richard and Donise Harvey of Fort Worth, Texas.

Treasurer Dorenda Strickland and secretary John Godwin gave their respective reports to the family.

Family reunion shirts and mugs were sold to commemorate 100 years of the reunion.

Music and entertainment have always been a part of the Harvey Family Reunions, and the 10oth was no exception. The sound of music and laughter filled the air as the “Little People’s Dance,” a crowd pleaser, was performed thanks to the hard work of Dawn Epps and others. Tom Tillman, in addition to providing the music, lent his voice to the singing of the last song to close the reunion.

The annual auction, which began a number of years ago in order to raise funds for the cost of the reunion, was again conducted by Hardy Tillman, featuring special items of remembrance including engraved bowls and trays as well as Christmas ornaments which reflected the momentous occasion.

It was a day to reflect, and rejoice at the long history of this family tradition that has stood the test of time and endured through the Great Depression, wars and numerous other world events. It was a day to remember that indeed, “Families are forever” and that is the tie that will always bind!

Among the out-of-town attendees were: Mizell Harris, of Lakeland, FL; Trey, Lauren, Jase & Hill Duncan of Tifton, GA; Doug Williams, Inman, SC; Carl Gregory of Montgomery, AL; Lindy Williams, Hendersonville, NC; Dawn Adams Epps & Gerri Mae of Nicholson, GA; Blake Adams of Lawrenceville, GA; Jinky and Eric Harvey of Jacksonville, FL; Kelly and Marion White of Savannah, GA; Gene Adams, Fayetteville, GA; Jason and Carol Walker and Millie Walker of Groveland, FL; Melvin and Harriett Adams of Chatsworth, GA; Brian Williams and Elizabeth King of Chipley, FL; David and Patty Wallace of Davenport, FL; Holly and Justin Lazanowsia, Palm Harbor, FL; Faye Brock, Doerun, GA; Brock Woodruff, Macon, GA; Max and Karen Tillman, Steve and Sonya Moran of Macclenny, FL; Max and Bishi Tillman of Bainbridge, GA; Joey, Melanie, Jordan, Mason and Piper Tillman of Thomasville, GA; Stephanie and John Jones of Albany, GA; Donnie and Jackie Duncan of Sylvester, GA; Robert Tucker, Lake Butler, FL; John and Jamie Godwin, Mary, Kaylee, Aidan, Aaron and Adam of Jackson, GA; Mike and Terry White , Opal Tillman, Tom and Sarah Tillman, Lucy Anderson and Dora Bates of Coolidge, GA; Brian, Lisa, Taylor and Ty Tillman of Lake City, FL; Larry and Joanne Perry, Larry Jr., Lashawn and Lexi Perry all of Lake City, FL; Brian and Alisha Burnett of Pelham, GA; Don and Bobbi Williams of Kingsland, GA; Donald and Ginny Williams of Pawley Island, SC; Rick and Donise Harvey of Fort Worth, TX; Tony Williams of Taft, TN, and Hardy and Wanda Tillman of Live Oak, FL.

Those Moultrie residents in attendance included: Frances Folsom, Rodney and Susan Taylor, Sarah Taylor Howell, Mike Folsom, Dorenda Strickland, Irene Godwin, Andre..v Godwin, Chad, Stephanie and Theron Strickland, Charity Parish and children Austin, Tillman, Libby Kate and John Thomas Parish.