On June 20, 2015 the descendents of Austin Ballard Harvey and his wife, Mary Ann (Ellison) Harvey, met at the Summers County 4-H Camp near Hinton for the annual reunion. The reunion was opened with prayer, flag salute, and singing of patriotic songs. Welcome and other opening remarks were given by Wayne Harvey.
A display of family photos and other items of interest was available for all to peruse and enjoy. Time was taken to remember those who had passed since our last reunion. Some of the names mentioned were: Youell B. Harvey, Mark Artley, Dorothy Dillon, Richard Ramsey, Edward Leon Ramsey, Jerome Dickerson, David Wilson Harvey, Sr., Darrell Dean Harvey and perhaps others. During the memorial service it was noted that Youell Harvey died on Jan. 29, 2015, after a few days of illness and that he was the last living grandson of Austin and Mary Ann Harvey. It was also noted that he was a veteran of World War II and had served in two branches of the military. He lacked less than three months of being 96 at the time of his death. He was born and raised on Madams Creek near Hinton and was the son of Mike and Jane (Meadows) Harvey. It was also noted that David W. Harvey (age 90) was born and raised near Hinton and died on Apr. 9, 2015, only a few hours after being awarded a medal of honor by the French government in recognition of his participation in liberating France during World War II. The memorial service was concluded with a moment of silence and prayer.
At age 99, Mary Louise (Harvey) Lilly was recognized as the oldest person in attendance and the last living grandchild of Austin and Mary Ann Harvey. Wyatt K. Hinton, 96, was the oldest male present. Also, recognition was given to those present who were 80 or older. The youngest present was Lila Sledd, the 7 month old daughter of Amber (Harvey) Sledd and granddaughter of Larry and Melanie Harvey and great-granddaughter of Frank and Joan Harvey. Also, Kennedy and Ethan Carter (twin children of Jeff and Sommer Carter) were recognized as being 2 years old on the day of the reunion.
Lyvonne Harvey Artley of Titusville, FL, was named at the person who traveled farthest to attend the reunion.
Melanie Harvey acted as photographer for the reunion.
Our next reunion is slated for the third Saturday in June 2016 (June 18,) at the Summers County 4-H Camp.
Following formal giving of thanks, everyone present was blessed to partake the food that had been brought. Although by a certain count, the following list of attendees is not complete. Yet, the names listed represent a major portion of those in attendance at the reunion. Douglas Wayne Harvey of Hinton, WV; Lyvonne Harvey Artley of Titusville, FL; Mac and Jean Harvey of Ripplemead, VA; Gail Bain of Pilot, VA; Abby Rose of Christiansburg, VA; Karen Foster of Fredricksburg, VA; Eugene C. Harvey of Ghent, WV; Phyllis and Sandy Comer of Nimitz, WV; Faye Miller of Hinton, WV; Myrtle Harvey of Hinton, WV; Marilyn Harvey Correll of Peterstown, WV; David and Patricia Crawford of Gap Mills, WV; Wyatt K. Hinton of Hinton, WV; Gail O’Day and Douglas Harvey of Christiansburg, VA; Steve Clare of Pembroke, VA; Karen Harvey, Irene Davis and Susie Harvey, all of Christiansburg, VA; Beverly Austin of Louisburg, NC; Edward and Althea Harvey of Forest Hill, WV; Raymond and Darrell Harvey of Hinton, WV; Vella Farley of Shady Spring, WV; Thomas and Phyllis Ratcliffe of Nimitz, WV; Glen and Flossie Bennett of Lewisburg, WV; Alva and Mary Harvey of Hinton, WV; Joseph, Virginia and Emily Wills of Nimitz, WV; Janice and Haley Deeds of Jumping Branch, WV; Dave and Gina Farris of Canal Winchester, OH; Dave and Tamie Lind of Ashville, OH; Karen Harvey Strickler of Blacksburg, VA; Basil G. Adkins of Shady Spring, WV; Lacy and Margaret Miller of Cool Ridge, WV; Ida and Samuel Miller of Hinton, WV; Lundon Kinsolving of Clarksburg, WV; Shirley, Jessica, Nathaniel and Isabella Minter all of Vinton, VA; Mary Louise Lilly of Nimitz, WV; Frank and Joan Harvey of Elliston, VA; Medeta Watts of Justice, WV; Amber Harvey Sledd and Lila of Callaway, VA; Larry and Melanie Harvey of Elliston, VA; Gary and Marie Meadows of Hinton, WV; Wallace Pritchett of Verona, VA; Pauline Harvey Meadows of Nimitz, WV; Sommer, Jackson, Bailey, Ethan and Kennedy Carter all of Lewisburg, WV; Jackie Lee Harvey of Nimitz, WV; Chris Meadows of Hinton, WV; Beverly Harvey of Nimitz, WV; Charles E. Lilly of St. Charles, MO; Melissa Richards of Nimitz, WV; Bob and Lorene Cales of Forest Hill, WV; Forrest E. Lilly of Lewisburg, WV; Alan and Travis Harvey of Princeton, WV; Tommy, Daniel and Sarah Harvey of Forest Hill, WV; Leroy, Glenna and Cathy Harvey of Cincinnati, OH; Daniel Harvey of Sandyville, WV.