Family reunion season continues, and I was thrilled when Tondra Mitchell-Talley shared news of the upcoming Mitchell Family Reunion. This Mitchell family descends from Primus Mitchell, born in the early 1840s, and his wives Caroline Mitchell and Ophelia Davis Mitchell. The Mitchells lived in Toisnot township, likely in the Sharpsburg area, which was once part of Edgecombe County. Their largest branch descends from son Lawrence Mitchell Sr., born about 1868, who eventually settled in Cross Roads township in southern Wilson County and married Easter Darden, daughter of Martin and Jane Dew Darden, and later Louisa Dew, daughter of Isaac and Easter Edmundson Dew.

The story of the resurrection of the Mitchell Family Reunion, which had gone dormant more than 20 years ago, is told at the National Family Reunion Institute’s website. It’s an inspiring tale of healing and redemption within a family and the role of reunions in making that possible.

Extra shout out to Tondra’s mother, Oazie Jones Mitchell, who graciously agreed to be interviewed as part of my exploration and documentation of the life in Wilson County before the Civil Rights era. 

Have a great reunion!