At noon on June 25, 148 descendants of L.G. and Stella Mercer met at the Hillsboro Middle School Auditeria for their annual reunion.
On Jan. 17, 1900, Lewis Gilmore Mercer and Stella Vance were married and eight daughters were born to this union: Bess Mercer Duncan, Opal Mercer Murray, Maxine Mercer Patton, Frances Mercer Wiggins, Jeannette Mercer Miller, Jane Mercer Cannon, Hilda Mercer Lucas and Kathryn Mercer Karnes.
Each year one of the families acts as host for the reunion. This year the family of Jeannette Mercer Miller was the host.
The family was called together with prayer by Josh Miller for the bountiful meal. The family celebration features perusing pictures, letters, other memorabilia, reminiscing, picture taking, talking and eating. Reminiscing over snapshots of previous reunions was enjoyed by the group. Basketball and games were enjoyed by the children.
Attending from the Miller family were Marlene Miller Barger; Neil and Kim Miller; Scott and Stephanie Miller; Robert Miller; Andy and Jackie Pridemore; Ross Miller; Ryker and Heather Miller; David and Jill Miller Stratton; Jaime Lyle; Josh and Chrissy Lyle, Dyona and Tristen Hetzer; Marilyn Miller; Angela Miller; Stacey Miller Blevins; Ryan and Penny Miller, Austin Miller and Hunter Tira.
Attending from the Duncan family were Becky Simmons Fritz; John Duncan; George and Cheryl Duncan Hazelbaker; Jayson and Deidre Hazelbaker, Khaleesi and Tegan; Jerica Hazelbaker, Jayden and Jasmine Comer; Jeff and Lydia Duncan; Nathan and Grace Duncan Miller, McKenize and Owen; Jason and Libby Duncan McNeal and Bryson; Scott and Sarah Duncan; Bob and Janet Duncan Martin; Corey and Rachel Martin; Nathan Martin and Becky Hoban (guest); Frank and Joyce Duncan Cosler and Lucas.
Attending from the Murray family were Tom and Jeannete Murray Boyle; Dave and Carol Boyle Gustin; Brent and Ellen Boyle Zink; Nathan Zink, Kierian and Leo; Nathan and Megan Zink Rutlede, Luke and Ethan; Jim and Jan Murray VanDervort; Vic and Tammy VanDervort; Matthew VanDervort, Jodie, Teylor and Alexis Meyer (guests); Nic and Erika VanDervort Miller, Kate and Garrett.
Attending from the Patton family were Randy Roush; Kaytlyn Roush, Grayson and Kensy Williams; John and Mary Lou Patton; Nickie Patton, Lane and Jacob Moerman; Jerry and Mary Patton and Taggart.
Attending from the Lucas family were Hilda Mercer Lucas; Richard and Peggy Lucas; Kevin and Lu Ann Lucas Roe, Harper and Porter; Katie Roe Pryor, Payton and Paisley; Rob and Lynette Lucas McCray; Bert McCray; Chase and Mackenzie McCray Henson, Larah and Stella; Phyllis Lucas Garrison; Kathy Lucas Nutter; Otis Wagner; Tate and Heather Wagner; Chandler Wagner; Preston and Laura Wagner; Lebria Wagner Duncan; Gwendolyn and Noralyn Duncan; Dean and Tia Wagner O’Conner, Meg, Azalea, Owen and Emily Jones (guest); Franklin and Jan Lucas; Rod and Hannah Lucas Banks, Lila and Lucas.
Attending from the Karnes family were Gil Karnes and Pearl Jenkins (guest); Lee and Darlene Karnes and William; Nancy Karnes; Steven and Patti Karnes, Bryan, Tara and Dusty Hathaway (guest); Patrick Karnes; Zach and Meghann Karnes, Ackley and Addie.
Members of the Wiggins and Cannon families were unable to attend.
The family will gather again next year on Sunday, June 24, 2018.
Submitted by the Mercher family.
