Past & Present Organizers:
Anedra Marshall-Minor
Annie Mae Marshall
Josephine Marshall-Keller
Gloria Marshall-Hobson
FAMILY REUNION & BANQUET HISTORY
The first family reunion was started in July 1999. It was held at Lou's Place in Newellton, Louisiana. Our first picnic was on the Trass' Estate in Newellton under the pecan trees. The first banquet speaker was Minister Dalien Minor of Tallulah, Louisiana.
In July, 2002 our second reunion was held in Newellton, Louisiana. The banquet was move to Tallulah Community Center. The speaker was Gloria Jean Marshall- Hobson of Bossier City, Louisiana.
As we grew in numbers we decided to come to Bossier City, Louisiana for the third reunion, July 2004. The guest speaker was Charles "Jim Dandy" Marshall of Bossier City, Louisiana at the Barksdale Air Force Base Elite Club.
Again in July 2006, we remained in Bossier City for the fourth reunion. Our banquet was at the Barksdale Officer's Club. The speaker was the Reverend Earnest Ryal of St. Simon Island, Georgia. We voted that the July reunion would be moved to Monroe, Louisiana with Annie Marshall the chairperson. All the previously years Gloria Marshall-Hobson served as the chairperson. Our guest that year was Dr. Robert Fox of Oxford, Mississippi who is also a minister of God's Word. The banquet was at the Monroe Civic Center.
As we met for our July 2010 Reunion again in Bossier City, Louisiana our speaker was the Reverend Oscar Hobson, Jr. The banquet was held at the Holiday Inn Bossier City Hotel & Suites.
In 2012, we traveled back to Monroe & West Monroe, Louisiana again to join our reunion gathering with family and friends. Our guest that year was the Late, Bishop (Mayor) Paxton Branch of Tallulah, Louisiana. The banquet was held on the campus of ULM (University of Louisiana at Monroe aka Northeast Louisiana University) where most family members went and graduated with college degrees. the banquet was held at the ULM Alumnae Center.
We voted that the 2014 family reunion will be held in Atlanta. Georgia to "Celebrate our Journey of our Family's Faith, Hope, and Love" with a "Family Vacation" (4 days, 3 nights) with Anedra Marshall-Minor serving as chairperson. This reunion entailed us traveling by BCSI Charter Bus, Inc. to Atlanta, Georgia. But, first, we traveled all the way back to where it all began in Tensas Parish. Family Members far and near met together where we were picked up by charter bus in Newellton, Louisiana, and Tallulah, Louisiana to begin our journey with a Prayers and Supplication Ceremony. En route to Atlanta, we made stops in Meridian, Mississippi (for family breakfast), Birmingham, Alabama (to tour the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum and Park District, 16th Street Church, Kelly Ingram Park, and for family lunch). When we finally made it to Atlanta, the celebration never stopped! Our family celebrated that night with a private dining "Meet and Greet Welcome Reception & Buffet Dinner" (hosted by This Is It! BBQ & Seafood Restaurant) to give honor our Family was given an official Welcome 2014 MTBR Reunion (by Anedra Marshall-Minor), Annual Family Roll Call (by Annie Marshall), Prayer & Scripture (by Minister Dalien Minor), Spiritual Songs (by Family Members), Praise Dance (Kee Kee & Kelsee Marshall), Historian and Loving Tribute to "Transitioned" Family Members (by Gloria Marshall-Hobson), Encouraging Words and Blessing of Food (by Rev. O. Hobson), Recognition & Presentations of Family Photo Album Book (by Charles, Donna & Lawanda Marshall), and our Annual "This Family Got Talent" Show (Damien Marshall served as our Master of Ceremony). The next three days were, of course, full of continual love, laughter, smiles, and hugs as we enjoyed the city of Atlanta aka "Hot" Lanta to reconnect, catch up, relax, and have a little fun! We had plenty of time to fit in local attractions and Family Fellowship Night. As a family, we toured the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain National Park, Six Flags over Georgia, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial site, and Sunday service at Ebenezer Baptist Church. After church service, we all shared a "Family Farewell" Luncheon before we departed Atlanta, Georgia.
As a family, we voted that Tensas-Madison Committee will host the 2016 reunion with Dallas, Texas being the decided hosted location.
We voted that the 2016 family reunion will be held in Dallas, Texas to "Continue to Celebrate our Journey of our Family's Faith, Hope, and Love" with a "Family Vacation" (4 days, 3 nights) with Annie Mae Marshall serving as chairperson. This reunion entailed us traveling by BCSI Charter Bus Inc. to Dallas Texas with pickup starting in Tensas Parish (Newellton), Madison Parish (Tallulah, ) and then stopping in Bossier Parish (Bossier City) to pick up more family members. En route to Dallas, we made a lunch stop in Terrell, Texas. When we finally made it to Dallas, the celebration never stopped! Our family celebrated that night with a Meet and Greet in the host hotel (Hampton Inn & Suites) conference room. We were given an official welcome and family roll call by Annie Marshall. We were served refreshments prepared by Josephine Keller. We also celebrated and welcomed a new family member's birthday (Chris Baker) with cake and ice cream and by pinning him with money! The next day we were slated to explore the Dallas Downtown area & Dallas Aquarium. However, we were saddened to find out that Tragedy had come upon the City of Dallas with several shootings of officers via protest. But with God first and prayers going up, we continued to venture out by visiting the Galleria Mall instead of the downtown area. The next three days were of course full of continual love, laughter smiles, and hugs as we enjoyed the city of Dallas aka "The Big D" to reconnect, catch up, relax, and have a little fun: We had plenty of time to fit in local attractions, and Family fellowship and Banquet night. As a family, we played family games at a Family Fun Center (Plano, Texas) including pool, basketball, go-cart, etc. That night we ate at local restaurants around the hotel area. That Saturday we visited Six Flags over Dallas, and later that night we had the family banquet with Rev. Oscar Hobson being the guest speaker. That Sunday we went to church in Grand Prairie, Texas. Finally, we shared a "family farewell" Luncheon before we departed Dallas.
As a family, we voted that the Bossier City Committee will host the 2018 reunion with Bossier City, La & Hot Springs Arkansas being the decided hosted locations.
The 2018 family reunion was held in Bossier City, La to "Letting the Good Times Roll" with a Meet and Greet at Sissy's Playhouse and Event Center. The meet and greet were held in the New Orleans Mardi Gras theme as our family gathered to welcome each other back to the Big City of Bossier! Annie Marshall gave us an official welcome - Anedra Marshall Minor - and a family roll call. We were served refreshments prepared by the local Walmart Deli (Sandwiches, Fruit Platter, Chicken Strip Platter, Chicken Spaghetti, Family Cake, Soda, Tea & Hot Tamala). We had a family- devotion- Charles Marshall & Dalien Minor. We played family games - (led by Aunt Donna, Mae, and Toya) & fellowshipped with laughter and love. The next day, we had the "Family Excursion" to Hot Spring Arkansas with Anedra Marshall Minor serving as chairperson. This family reunion entailed us traveling via Red River Charter Bus Inc., to Hot Springs Ark with pickup starting at the local hotels: Hampton Inn & Suites - Bossier City, La. and then stopping at Spring Hill Suites - Louisiana Downs in Bossier to pick up more family members. En route to Hot Springs, we made a rest stop before we finally made it to Hot Springs. The fun and fellowship never stopped en route to Magic Springs Amusement Park. The family spent the day at Magic Springs, enjoying the water parks and amusement rides. Our family continued the celebration as we enjoyed lunch in the park with a family picnic - hamburgers & french fries, chicken strips & fries baskets, etc. The weather was extremely hot!!! So, as a family, we voted to head back to Bossier City early to return family members back to the hotel and enjoy a late-night dinner on our own. Some family members chose to go to Louisiana Boardwalk, Texas Roadhouse, Golden Carrel - Bossier City, La. That Saturday morning, we had MTBR Kid's Day and lunch, while adult family members could rest or shop at the local malls. All the kids that participated in the family reunion were invited to a trip to the newly opened Shreveport Aquarium, Shreveport, La. as a courtesy of the Bossier Family Reunion Members Host and chaperones - Anedra Marshall, Dalien Minor, Donald Marshall, Edna Marshall Washington, KeKe Marshall. The kids were able to participate in a 2 1/2-hour tour of the different ocean creatures. We later took the kids out to lunch at CECE Pizza in Shreveport, La where they were able to enjoy kids' fellowship and pizzas of their liking. As the adults were given plenty of time to fit in local attractions and Family fellowship, we met up later that night for the Family Banquet night. Our family colors were Purple, Gold, and Green. We had the family banquet with Carla "Renee" Hensley Butler being the guest speaker. The Banquet meal was catered by Shaver's Catering - Shreveport. The buffet menu consisted of Fried Catfish, Baked Chicken, salad, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, and rolls. The food was delicious! We had a family dance afterward where Damien Marshall served as the family's DJ which also lead to a dance battle between cousins! We also celebrate the birthday of our Girl, Ms. Latasha Marshall with cake and ice cream. That Sunday we went to church at Stonewall Baptist Church, Bossier City. Finally, we shared a delicious fully loaded "family soul food farewell" Luncheon all prepared by Donna Staves Marshall before we departed our separate ways.
As a family we voted that the Tensas: Newellton-Madison Committee will host the 2020 reunion with Monroe, La & Baton Rouge, La being the decided hosted locations.
The Tensas: Newellton-Madison Committee family members decided in response to the nation's and Governor John Bell Edwards's "Stay Home" declaration which is due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, agreed that we should cancel our plans for the 13th Annual 2020 Family Reunion that was scheduled to take place July 9 - 12, 2020. Talks are in the works for the next MTBR family reunion slated for 2021 or 2022 with Tensas: Newellton-Madison as host.
In July, 2002 our second reunion was held in Newellton, Louisiana. The banquet was move to Tallulah Community Center. The speaker was Gloria Jean Marshall- Hobson of Bossier City, Louisiana.
As we grew in numbers we decided to come to Bossier City, Louisiana for the third reunion, July 2004. The guest speaker was Charles "Jim Dandy" Marshall of Bossier City, Louisiana at the Barksdale Air Force Base Elite Club.
Again in July 2006, we remained in Bossier City for the fourth reunion. Our banquet was at the Barksdale Officer's Club. The speaker was the Reverend Earnest Ryal of St. Simon Island, Georgia. We voted that the July reunion would be moved to Monroe, Louisiana with Annie Marshall the chairperson. All the previously years Gloria Marshall-Hobson served as the chairperson. Our guest that year was Dr. Robert Fox of Oxford, Mississippi who is also a minister of God's Word. The banquet was at the Monroe Civic Center.
As we met for our July 2010 Reunion again in Bossier City, Louisiana our speaker was the Reverend Oscar Hobson, Jr. The banquet was held at the Holiday Inn Bossier City Hotel & Suites.
In 2012, we traveled back to Monroe & West Monroe, Louisiana again to join our reunion gathering with family and friends. Our guest that year was the Late, Bishop (Mayor) Paxton Branch of Tallulah, Louisiana. The banquet was held on the campus of ULM (University of Louisiana at Monroe aka Northeast Louisiana University) where most family members went and graduated with college degrees. the banquet was held at the ULM Alumnae Center.
We voted that the 2014 family reunion will be held in Atlanta. Georgia to "Celebrate our Journey of our Family's Faith, Hope, and Love" with a "Family Vacation" (4 days, 3 nights) with Anedra Marshall-Minor serving as chairperson. This reunion entailed us traveling by BCSI Charter Bus, Inc. to Atlanta, Georgia. But, first, we traveled all the way back to where it all began in Tensas Parish. Family Members far and near met together where we were picked up by charter bus in Newellton, Louisiana, and Tallulah, Louisiana to begin our journey with a Prayers and Supplication Ceremony. En route to Atlanta, we made stops in Meridian, Mississippi (for family breakfast), Birmingham, Alabama (to tour the Birmingham Civil Rights Museum and Park District, 16th Street Church, Kelly Ingram Park, and for family lunch). When we finally made it to Atlanta, the celebration never stopped! Our family celebrated that night with a private dining "Meet and Greet Welcome Reception & Buffet Dinner" (hosted by This Is It! BBQ & Seafood Restaurant) to give honor our Family was given an official Welcome 2014 MTBR Reunion (by Anedra Marshall-Minor), Annual Family Roll Call (by Annie Marshall), Prayer & Scripture (by Minister Dalien Minor), Spiritual Songs (by Family Members), Praise Dance (Kee Kee & Kelsee Marshall), Historian and Loving Tribute to "Transitioned" Family Members (by Gloria Marshall-Hobson), Encouraging Words and Blessing of Food (by Rev. O. Hobson), Recognition & Presentations of Family Photo Album Book (by Charles, Donna & Lawanda Marshall), and our Annual "This Family Got Talent" Show (Damien Marshall served as our Master of Ceremony). The next three days were, of course, full of continual love, laughter, smiles, and hugs as we enjoyed the city of Atlanta aka "Hot" Lanta to reconnect, catch up, relax, and have a little fun! We had plenty of time to fit in local attractions and Family Fellowship Night. As a family, we toured the World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, Stone Mountain National Park, Six Flags over Georgia, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial site, and Sunday service at Ebenezer Baptist Church. After church service, we all shared a "Family Farewell" Luncheon before we departed Atlanta, Georgia.
As a family, we voted that Tensas-Madison Committee will host the 2016 reunion with Dallas, Texas being the decided hosted location.
We voted that the 2016 family reunion will be held in Dallas, Texas to "Continue to Celebrate our Journey of our Family's Faith, Hope, and Love" with a "Family Vacation" (4 days, 3 nights) with Annie Mae Marshall serving as chairperson. This reunion entailed us traveling by BCSI Charter Bus Inc. to Dallas Texas with pickup starting in Tensas Parish (Newellton), Madison Parish (Tallulah, ) and then stopping in Bossier Parish (Bossier City) to pick up more family members. En route to Dallas, we made a lunch stop in Terrell, Texas. When we finally made it to Dallas, the celebration never stopped! Our family celebrated that night with a Meet and Greet in the host hotel (Hampton Inn & Suites) conference room. We were given an official welcome and family roll call by Annie Marshall. We were served refreshments prepared by Josephine Keller. We also celebrated and welcomed a new family member's birthday (Chris Baker) with cake and ice cream and by pinning him with money! The next day we were slated to explore the Dallas Downtown area & Dallas Aquarium. However, we were saddened to find out that Tragedy had come upon the City of Dallas with several shootings of officers via protest. But with God first and prayers going up, we continued to venture out by visiting the Galleria Mall instead of the downtown area. The next three days were of course full of continual love, laughter smiles, and hugs as we enjoyed the city of Dallas aka "The Big D" to reconnect, catch up, relax, and have a little fun: We had plenty of time to fit in local attractions, and Family fellowship and Banquet night. As a family, we played family games at a Family Fun Center (Plano, Texas) including pool, basketball, go-cart, etc. That night we ate at local restaurants around the hotel area. That Saturday we visited Six Flags over Dallas, and later that night we had the family banquet with Rev. Oscar Hobson being the guest speaker. That Sunday we went to church in Grand Prairie, Texas. Finally, we shared a "family farewell" Luncheon before we departed Dallas.
As a family, we voted that the Bossier City Committee will host the 2018 reunion with Bossier City, La & Hot Springs Arkansas being the decided hosted locations.
The 2018 family reunion was held in Bossier City, La to "Letting the Good Times Roll" with a Meet and Greet at Sissy's Playhouse and Event Center. The meet and greet were held in the New Orleans Mardi Gras theme as our family gathered to welcome each other back to the Big City of Bossier! Annie Marshall gave us an official welcome - Anedra Marshall Minor - and a family roll call. We were served refreshments prepared by the local Walmart Deli (Sandwiches, Fruit Platter, Chicken Strip Platter, Chicken Spaghetti, Family Cake, Soda, Tea & Hot Tamala). We had a family- devotion- Charles Marshall & Dalien Minor. We played family games - (led by Aunt Donna, Mae, and Toya) & fellowshipped with laughter and love. The next day, we had the "Family Excursion" to Hot Spring Arkansas with Anedra Marshall Minor serving as chairperson. This family reunion entailed us traveling via Red River Charter Bus Inc., to Hot Springs Ark with pickup starting at the local hotels: Hampton Inn & Suites - Bossier City, La. and then stopping at Spring Hill Suites - Louisiana Downs in Bossier to pick up more family members. En route to Hot Springs, we made a rest stop before we finally made it to Hot Springs. The fun and fellowship never stopped en route to Magic Springs Amusement Park. The family spent the day at Magic Springs, enjoying the water parks and amusement rides. Our family continued the celebration as we enjoyed lunch in the park with a family picnic - hamburgers & french fries, chicken strips & fries baskets, etc. The weather was extremely hot!!! So, as a family, we voted to head back to Bossier City early to return family members back to the hotel and enjoy a late-night dinner on our own. Some family members chose to go to Louisiana Boardwalk, Texas Roadhouse, Golden Carrel - Bossier City, La. That Saturday morning, we had MTBR Kid's Day and lunch, while adult family members could rest or shop at the local malls. All the kids that participated in the family reunion were invited to a trip to the newly opened Shreveport Aquarium, Shreveport, La. as a courtesy of the Bossier Family Reunion Members Host and chaperones - Anedra Marshall, Dalien Minor, Donald Marshall, Edna Marshall Washington, KeKe Marshall. The kids were able to participate in a 2 1/2-hour tour of the different ocean creatures. We later took the kids out to lunch at CECE Pizza in Shreveport, La where they were able to enjoy kids' fellowship and pizzas of their liking. As the adults were given plenty of time to fit in local attractions and Family fellowship, we met up later that night for the Family Banquet night. Our family colors were Purple, Gold, and Green. We had the family banquet with Carla "Renee" Hensley Butler being the guest speaker. The Banquet meal was catered by Shaver's Catering - Shreveport. The buffet menu consisted of Fried Catfish, Baked Chicken, salad, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, and rolls. The food was delicious! We had a family dance afterward where Damien Marshall served as the family's DJ which also lead to a dance battle between cousins! We also celebrate the birthday of our Girl, Ms. Latasha Marshall with cake and ice cream. That Sunday we went to church at Stonewall Baptist Church, Bossier City. Finally, we shared a delicious fully loaded "family soul food farewell" Luncheon all prepared by Donna Staves Marshall before we departed our separate ways.
As a family we voted that the Tensas: Newellton-Madison Committee will host the 2020 reunion with Monroe, La & Baton Rouge, La being the decided hosted locations.
The Tensas: Newellton-Madison Committee family members decided in response to the nation's and Governor John Bell Edwards's "Stay Home" declaration which is due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, agreed that we should cancel our plans for the 13th Annual 2020 Family Reunion that was scheduled to take place July 9 - 12, 2020. Talks are in the works for the next MTBR family reunion slated for 2021 or 2022 with Tensas: Newellton-Madison as host.
In hopes of gathering together again on July 1-2, 2023 in Bossier City, La., for a WEEKEND of fellowship, our MTBR FAMILY GATHERING with a FAMILY THEME - "I'M STILL HERE" is scheduled.