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Hansel Harmen Sharpe reunion celebrates 55th year
reunion-marker
Marker presented at the reunion. - photo by Submitted

On Sunday, Sept. 2, families of Richmond Hill residents Robbie and Karen Sharpe, along with Ed and Beth Ann (Sharpe) Starling joined 93 other family members who attended the 55th Annual Hansel Harmen Sharpe Family reunion.

This year it was again held at the Allenhurst Presbyterian Church fellowship hall.

Family members who gathered were the direct descendents of Hansel Harmen Sharpe and his wife Florence Ezekiel Clifton.

The oldest in attendance Sunday was their surviving daughter Flora "Hansie" Troha, age 105, with five generations present.

Also present was her sister from Jacksonville, Gwendolyn "Cootsie" Ryals, age 94.

This year’s reunion had "A Mexican Fiesta" as its theme, with a Mexican piñata, flashing chili pepper lights, table decorations, themed family table games and Mexican recipe dishes galore.

Over a dozen prizes were raffled to raise money for the perpetual care of their ancestors' graves at the Sharpe Family Cemetery in Alston, Ga.

In 2007, the family honored its Revolutionary War ancestor the Reverend John Thomas Sharpe, a circuit riding Methodist preacher.

A "United Methodist Clergy" bronze plaque and marble base marker was added at the foot of his grave.

In 2008 they are planning a patriotic theme: "Celebrating Our Military Heritage."

The Sharpe family ancestry dates back to the colonial days with their earliest recorded ancestor patriots fighting in the Indian Wars.

Patriots throughout the years have included service in the Spanish-American War, American Revolution, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and peace keeping service.

In fact, Troha’s 10 sons have 53 years of military service combined. Family members plan to wear period uniforms or reproductions to represent their individual service or that of their ancestors. A wonderful time was had by all attending this year ...and plans for 2008 may prove to be even better yet!

- submitted

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