In March 2014, led by the vision of Tuan Reynolds of Roanoke, VA, and others, the Reynolds side of the family started a Reynolds Family page on Facebook. Pictured left are the family patriarch (Tazwell Reynolds, born in 1862 in Franklin County, VA) and the matriarch (Mariah Guerrant Reynolds, born in in 1863 in Franklin County, VA). They were wed in 1885. They were born when Abraham Lincoln was U.S. president. Today their descendants are productive and nationwide. To the members and friends of the family, what has the experience now been like connecting or re-connecting with family on the Reynolds Family page (and beyond)? http://roanokerelatives.weebly.com/clarence-c-reynolds.html Think about a friend or relative who passed recently or in the last year or two or who just moved far away (or is very ill), did you get a chance to tell that person that you loved him or her? Or did you miss that chance? I hope you did not miss that chance. Please don't miss this or the next chance. Roanoke, Virginia is often called the "Star City". Who are famous African-Americans (past and present) with roots in the Valley? The first ones that come to mind for me (KOH) are Booker T. Washington (from Franklin County - legendary world leader), Oliver Hill (Roanoke - late civil rights attorney), Oscar Micheaux (Harlem Renaissance filmmaker), Charles "Big Dog" Thornhill (Roanoke - '60s college football) and Al Holland (Roanoke - major league baseball), but there must be many others before them and since from all throughout the Valley (including the surrounding counties) - and from all professions. We would like to post this so that the world will see our stars! This will be compiled, updated regularly and listed at: http://roanokerelatives.weebly.com/roanoke.html. This list is of all African-Americans from the Valley, not just relatives. Mother Ruby Muhammad of Sacramento, California passed away in 2011 at the age of 113. We honored her on her 110th birthday by featuring her in the April 2007 episode of the CV Drum News. At the time of her passing, she was also the oldest subscriber to my publication. Have you ever known or met anyone over 100 years old? I am not sure if commercialization is ever a good thing, but Mother's Day 2012 (May 13 in the U.S.) was one of the most profitable holidays in the United States, and sales for gifts spiked during the days preceding that Sunday. With that said, what does this special day mean to you personally and how and who do you honor that day and everyday? What should the young boys in our family be told about growing up African-American in 2012? Any danger signs? Any advantages? What lessons can we learn from this sad story (as our hearts go out to his family)? Should we care? |
Keith Orlando Hilton, PhD
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