Forty-eight members of the late Dudley S. and Bertha M. Williams family met for their 17th annual reunion June 17 at the home of Nancy W. Hubbard.
A memory candle was lit for all the family members the Williamses had lost.
After a delicious meal, Stan Roberson welcomed everyone. Brother and sister Ethan and Madeline Grigas led the group in The Pledge of Allegiance.
There are eight children of the Williams living. Seven were present.
Several family members have had some health problems since the last reunion, and there was one death in the family.
Balloons were released to honor five recent graduates and the three babies born into the family. A white balloon was released to honor the memory of all the loved ones the family has lost. A yellow one was released to honor the remaining family members.
The following were recognized for their accomplishments during the past year:
- Sydney Vaughn and Melanie Roberson were recognized for their outstanding athletic ability in softball and volleyball.
- Justin Morrison made captain in the Marines last August, and will be deployed to Japan later this year.
- Levi Carter received the Virginia John Crew Academic Award for outstanding grade point average on his fishing team.
- Whitney Hubbard was awarded the superlative of Best Personality from the outgoing class where he teaches in Georgia.
- Ethan Grigas plays on the 9-and-under lacrosse team from Franklin County. His team recently won the Southwest Virginia Youth Lacrosse Tournament in Roanoke; it was the first Franklin County team to win in any age group.
- Maria Roberson got her CNA license this April.
- Dallas Roberson was named to the Presidential List (all “A”s) at Forsyth Tech in Winston-Salem, N.C., for both fall semester 2016 and spring semester 2017. He will complete his studies in July.
- Melanie Roberson was awarded the Austin Cloyd Scholarship from Blacksburg High School. Austin, who went to Blacksburg High School and later to Virginia Tech, was killed in the massacre. A scholarship was set up in his memory. Melanie Roberson also received a scholarship from Stuart Rotary Club.
A cornhole tournament was held with father and son Johnnie B. and Stan Roberson winning first place. Cousins Jon Nowlin and Melanie Roberson received second-place trophies.
Everyone enjoyed the day and is looking forward to next year.
