Family History

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.

Hebrews 10:24-25

Reunion History

The humble beginnings of the Reaves - Davis Family Reunion began in July 1968, in the shared yard of Clifford and Peggie and Ephriam and Naomi Reaves. Henry, Grace and family from Georgia were also in attendance at that first family reunion in Plant City, Florida. All of the preparations for the first and following reunions were made in Clifford and Peggie Reaves’ home at their dining room table from 1968 to1996.

The first family reunion president was Clifford and Peggy Reaves' son Emmauel. Starting in 1997, the family reunion meetings were moved around from different siblings’ homes after Mother Peggie was moved to a nursing facility.

Early Gatherings

There was a family reunion cooking committee from 1968 until 2009, which was comprised of Aunt Olive Jean, Aunt Roberta, Aunt Dimple and the late Aunt Naomi. The food committee planned the menus and prepared the food for all the family reunions. The family begin contracting catering services for the family reunions in 2009.

A Christmas Dinner was held at Durrie and Rosa Lee Reaves' home on December 25, 1974.

A family reunion was held July 13th-15th in 1984 at Marshall High School in the cafeteria in Plant City, Florida. The reunion format that we have today began there. Starting with a welcome night and a picnic the next day. The event weekend was capped off with Sunday School and a worship service followed by a banquet.

Family Origins

The origins of the Reaves-Davis-Payne-Willis-Hall-Shannon-King-Sanders clan starts with David and Peggy Davis. They had a son named Hudson who married Louisa King who was the daughter of Lewis and Matilda King. They had four daughters named Lucy Anna, Lizzie, Minnie Lee, and Peggie Margaret Matilda Louise King.

The Davis Sisters

Lucy Anna Davis married Elijah Hall. They had six children, whose names are Marie Hall, Mamie (Hall) Joliet, Burnell (Hall) Parker, Mathew (Mack) Hall, Grady Hall and Elijah Hall Jr.

Lizzie Davis married John Sanders and they had four children. Their children are Henry Sanders, Annie Lee (Sanders) Robinson, Marguerite (Sanders) Williams, and John Sanders, Jr.

Minnie Lee Davis married Norman Payne and they had five children. Their children are Charles Payne, Jimmy Payne, Bertha (Payne) Burnett, Norman Payne Jr, and Paulette Payne.

Peggie Margaret Matilda Louise King Davis married Clifford Reaves. They had thirteen children. Their children are Johnnie Mae, Carrie Bell, Hudson, Clifford Lee, Ephriam, Daniel, Walter, Durrie, Matthew, Thomas, Emanuel, Margaret (Dimple) and James.

Clifford Reaves & Peggie Davis

Clifford Reaves was born March 8, 1894 in Forsyth Georgia to Sam Reaves (Reeves/Reed) and Sally Willis. One year later Peggie Margaret Matilda Louise King Davis was born on November 13, 1895.

Peggie and Clifford's 67 year marriage began on October 15, 1913 in the state of Georgia. In 1925 they moved to Brewster, Florida where they started their family of nine sons and four daughters. Clifford worked as an agricultural farmer and Peggie worked as a maid and house wife. She was also an incredible baker.

They were both leaders in the Church of the Living God Pillar and Ground of Truth in Plant City, Florida. Clifford was a Deacon for 58 years and Peggie was the assistant Pastor.

Clifford and Peggie Reaves are now with the Lord. In their life time they established a family in godly principles that kept them together in unity.