Davenport Family Reunion...

     THE JOHN ALVIN AND IDA WALKER JONES FAMILY

From the early pioneers of Thomas Davenport and John Pidding Jones, has come an enormous posterity.  They were the first to embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ in England and then the call to join the Saints rang clear in their minds and they sacrificed all that they had to travel to America, trek across the plains, and join the Saints in the Salt Lake Valley.  Soon, however, they were treking again to Southern Utah to settle in Parowan and Cedar City.

Two generations later a grandson of Thomas Davenport would marry a granddaughter of John Pidding Jones.  And so it began...

John Alvin Davenport and Ida Walker Jones were my grandparents on my dad's side.  They were the only ones I ever knew.  My mom's parents passed away before I was born.  I have many, many memories of these amazing people.

On October 11th, the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even beyond that generation to include great-great grandchildren and a few great-great-great grandchildren all gathered in a huge meeting place in Tooele, Utah to honor this wonderful family.  My sister, Chrisie, did all of the work acquiring the space, making plans for the food, making dozens of tee-shirts and making sure this day would be one that would not be forgotten.  I gathered the family history and provided small books for "sale by donation" to family members who might be interested.  It was a labor of love.

It was a day to remember, for sure.  We gathered around 11:00 a.m. (after some of us got lost trying to find the right street) and spent a couple of hours greeting cousins whom we haven't seen in ages...some of them, decades!  What a joy it was to re-unite in one place and share our stories and some of our pictures and genealogy.

Ida and John had three children: Clynn, the oldest; James Harvey, my dad; and Helen, the youngest and only girl.  Uncle Clynn and my dad were partners for a good deal of their adult lives in a restaurant in
California (Santa Monica).  Helen spent her entire life in Utah.

Uncle Clynn (and Aunt Rilla) had 5 children:  Colleen, Vance, Shannon, Alvin, Betty Jean, and John.  Colleen, Alvin and Betty were at the reunion with some of their children and grandchildren.  Vance and Shannon have gone to live with Heavenly Father and we missed them terribly.

L-R:  2 of Alvin's daughters, Alvin, Betty Jean, Colleen's son, Jack, Colleen and Bud

Harvey (and Florence) had 4 children:  Darell, Florene, Christine and Patricia.  All but Patricia were in attendance.  Patti is suffering from dementia, and unable to travel.  She was sorely missed and I know that she wishes that she could have been there.

L-R:  Florene, Darell and Chrisie

Aunt Helen (and Uncle Cleon) had several children.  The ones I remember are: Loren, Merrill, Harvey, Linda, Laura, and John.  Most of the children live in Utah and John lives in Texas (I believe).  It's sad when you lose track of your cousins and it is cloudy what is going on in their lives.  Loren, Merrill, Harvey and Laura were at the reunion and it was a joy to get re-acquainted with them again.

(I hope I get this right) L-R:
Harvey's wife and Harvey, Loren's daughter, Loren's wife, Loren, Laura, Merrill's wife and Merrill

What a wonderful reunion we had.  The food was delicious (as close to Pickle Bill's Barbeque Beef, Baked Beans and salad as we could get), Chrisie gave a brief history of her family and welcomed all who came; Darell spoke a bit about the memories he had of our dad; Burdell Moody (our adopted brother) spoke of his memories of our dad; Loren spoke about his mom and introduced his family; and last, I gave a genealogy recap of the family history from Thomas Davenport and John Pidding Jones down the line to the present day.  I told a story about a pioneer experience that Thomas and John Pidding had during their trek west.

All in all, it was a glorious experience and one that I shall not soon forget.  I want to include here a few family pictures and some candid shots that I loved.

Aubrey with Van

Elissa with Blair

Hailey and Parker with Trey

Kenny with Van

My amazing family (Minus Mark and children)

Darell, Joan and Burdell

Chrisie's Family

When I look at all of these amazing people (and this was not even all of them because so many were missing) I get a warm feeling in my heart as I realize what Grandma and Grandpa Davenport started with only three children.  What an amazing posterity.  Each one a sparkling jewel in the Davenport Crown.  I love this family.