Dear Family, > Hi, my Gr. grandparents were James S, Lewallen (son of John Lewallen & ? Rainwater). They had a son James S. who married Martha Coatney, (2nd of three wives). They had a daughter, Laura Ona who married James Andrew Brown, they had a daughter Purna Mae, who married james Aaron Whitaker who are my parents. > I am the youngest of nine children. We were three girls and six boys. > my parents, my two sisters have gone on to join our ancestors. last month > the oldest of my Brothers, John joined the ones who had gone on to clear > the path for those of us still here. > he was cremated and his ashes spread in the Grand lake of the Cherokee he > loved so much. > We called him the Beaver because he was a builder. He built many of the > homes in the Phoenix, Arizona area. His given name was John. > We held a memorial for him last Sat. and i would like to send you what is > on our immediate family list. > > Hi all, > just want to tell everyone John's memorial was a wonderful experience. Well > planned and well attended. Az. tribes 2.3.4.5.7.8.9. had representation. > Those present were; 2. (Beavers) Euni, Jon ,Reba, Brad & William 3. > (Horse) Fred Rae & Frank, 4.(Roadrunners) Jay, Mariane & Monte, 5. > (Lizards) Ernie & Carol, 7. (Banty Chickens &Roosters) Chuck, Linda, > Teek, Adam, Michelle, Denise & Justin, 8. (Bob > cats) Bob & Diane, & 9. (Coyote) Rachel Sue & > > representing tribe 10. The Whitakers, Coiners & Youngs, was Uncle 'Buck' > Jesse James Whitaker, our elder at 84 years who will be 85 April 4, 1999... > We missed Tribe 1. the Birds (Okl./Tenn), & 6. the Eagles in Texas. > > Friends of different tribes also came. The gathering at Mom & Pop's grave, > a Circle, went very well with different family members speaking. Then all > gathered at the Club > house where Jon lives where all enjoyed each other's company and shared > patatoe salad and a huge deli sandwich. > > We were all pleasantly surprised that Rev. Monte Whitaker flew in from > California and he read from Psalms in the Bible. Monte Travels the world > administering to the poor, and he is well known in Southern California > where he does tremendous work aiding the homeless. > > Guitars came, however every one was so busy talking and catching up on each > other, the guitar players never made it in to start pickin. hopefully next > time. > > We made a pact to do this more often and not just when we lose one of us. > perhaps we'll revive the Arizona reunions. Would be wonderful for us to do > this. Uncle Bobby made an announcement how pleased he was we were all > together and he would like to see it happen more often. > > His birthday is September 11, he will be 60 years of age and Diane wants > the word out to all family members that she is throwing him one big > birthday bash. So, I'm gettin the word out. It will be in Gilbert, Az. > Okay, end of report. > Love you all, > Rachel Sue, > Az. Coyote > > > > >