The 44th Boyd/McCormick Family Reunion Held in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, NC – The origin of the Boyd/McCormick Family Reunion can be traced backed to the seaport town of Jamestown, Virginia. A young lad of about fourteen braved the dreadful middle passage of the Atlantic Ocean. He was sold into slavery and brought to White Oak, South Carolina by a plantation planter. He was named John A. Boyd. He married Mattie Gibson-Boyd and two generations later, with the marriage of Isaiah Lawrence Boyd, Sr. and Mamie “Texanna” McCormick-Boyd, there was established a lasting bond between the Boyd and McCormick families.

Frank McCormick, Sr., brother of Mamie McCormick, discussed the possibility of organizing a Boyd/McCormick Family Reunion. He was inspired by a visit to Roxboro, North Carolina during the sixties. During this visit, he renewed old acquaintances and met many family members for the first time.

Elizabeth “Bessie” McCormick – Blackman, daughter of Frank McCormick, Sr. and Estelle “Candy” Boyd – Cooper and Mattie Boyd – Johnson, daughters of Lawrence Isaiah Boyd, Sr. and Mamie “Texanna” McCormick – Boyd further discussed the need to establish a family reunion after the death of Frank McCormick, Sr. The reunion became a reality in 1973 when Elizabeth “Bessie” McCormick – Blackmon and her husband, Douglas D. Blackman hosted the first reunion in Columbia, South Carolina.

The 44th Boyd/McCormick Family Reunion was recently held in Charlotte, NC. The reunion was hosted by Michael Laurence & Shireka Gentry and the reunion host committee with the theme “Faith, Family, and Friends.” The family photo was taken at Johnson C. Smith University (Biddle Hall), as the hosts (Michael Lawrence & Shireka Gentry), George Boyd RIP, James & Susan Boyd and Lauryetta Gentry are graduates of this HBCU which is celebrating 150 years of providing quality collegiate education for all.

Past reunions have been held in California, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. The upcoming reunion will be held in Charleston, SC.

Carl McCormick of Blythewood, South Carolina is President of the reunion, Willie F. Boyd of Durham, NC is President Emeritus and Lucy Boyd – Diaz of Kempner, Texas is Secretary. Information on the reunion can be found on the   Boyd/McCormick Family Reunion website www.bmfr.org and Facebook Group – BMFR – Let’s Keep In Touch.