HISTORY OF THE BAREFIELD-BARFIELD, CLAY, CLAYPOOL, HENDERSON, McCLELLAND, WOOLFOLK REUNION

 

 

In 2009 we will be celebrating 28 years of uniting this great family. We have grown in our knowledge and love of each other. We enthusiastically celebrate our ancestors while unifying our hope for the future, OUR CHILDREN.

 

In 1980 two sons of Finas David Barefield, Sr. by the names of Archie Arkall and Elder Finas Dave, Jr., visited their Aunt Pearlie (McClelland) Barefield in Madison, Illinois. Pearlie was the wife of the late William Barefield, the brother of Finas David Sr. Pearlie and Finas Dave reflected on the fact that their children did not know each other and felt that something needed to be done immediately. So, Morris Barefield and Elder Finas Dave were asked to organize a family reunion.

 

            Morris developed a data base of names and addresses of family members and was responsible for communications. The other children of William and Pearlie Barefield were responsible for the planning process, accommodations and the program. The cost was $10 per person and $30 per family. Much of the food was prepared by family members.

 

            The Barefield Family Reunion became a reality the first weekend of August 1981 in Madison, Illinois. The weekend was one of love, fun and thanks to God. Since many of us had never met, much time was spent deciding how we were related. The program consisted of a fish fry on Friday evening to welcome everyone and to facilitate registration, a barbecue and picnic on Saturday with many games and a family worship service on Sunday to thank God for His blessings. The budget was $1500 with the excess funds used to provide a gift for Sallie (Henderson) Barfield and Pearlie (McClelland) Barefield as they were the senior members of the family.

 

            In 1983 the fires and spirit of “family“spread to Bakersfield, California; the home of Arkall and Elder Finas Dave Barefield. (Finas’ wife, Opal Louise Rose, was the daughter of Charlie Rose and Millie Claypool.) The planning, organizing and corresponding was managed by the sons and daughters of Arkall and Finas Dave. Arrangements were made to utilize the facilities at California State University. The accommodations were great for $9 per person. All the activities were held at a single place, except tours. We had a great time playing games, barbecuing and getting to know the best of each other. This was an exciting visit; for many of us it was our first trip to California. The reunions were growing in numbers and in families that wanted to be the host.

            The next stop on this journey was Brookfield, Wisconsin in 1985. The preparations were made by the family of Hobert Barfield and Delphine (Clay) Barfield, namely Phillip, Vernell, Hobert, Jr., Phyllis, Pat and others. Delphine was the daughter of Marcus Clay and Alice (McCelland) Clay and Hobert was the son of Joe Barfield and Sallie (Henderson) Barfield. They demonstrated some of the skills learned in Grand Chain, Illinois, how to roast a pig. All had a great time.

 

            After the first three reunions some procedures were established. The reunion would be held on the first weekend of August with Friday being an evening for welcoming and registration, Saturday a day for registration, tours and a banquet that evening, and Sunday was a day of worship and a family picnic with games and much food. The host family for the next reunion is determined by nomination and a majority vote.

 

            The first three reunions were hosted by the Barefield-Barfield families. Who are the descendants of Romulus Barefield, the son of Tom Barefield, and Charlotte Porter, the sister of Surilda Porter who married Charles Henderson. These marriages connected the Barefield/Barfield and the Henderson families and branched into the families of the Woolfolk, Clay, Claypool, and McClelland.

 

            The Clay family hosted the 1987 reunion in Davenport, Iowa. They are the children of Mark Clay and Blanche (Claypool) Clay, the daughter of John Claypool and Audrey Henderson. The crowd was large and much fun was had. We were beginning to know each other. Some of the highlights were the barbecue and the fantastic softball game that was concluded by an approaching storm. Note as previously stated: Hobert Barfield married Delphine (Clay) Barfield, the daughter of Marcus Clay and Alice McClelland and brother of Mark Clay.

 

            The reunion caravan moved to Detroit in 1989. The celebration was hosted by the Henderson’s and Edwards (Barefield). As with the reunion in Davenport the model was adding new ideas. We were provided t-shirts and a booklet of the agenda and some history of the host family. The Edwards of the William Barefield family and the family of Charles Henderson made us proud.

 

            The cost of the first reunions was minimized by the host family assuming some of the expenses and doing much of the food preparation for the picnic. As our numbers increased to more than 300 and nearing 400, this model became unworkable. Our accommodations were provided by a select hotel and we became dependent on catered services.

 

            In 1991 the Woolfolk family invited us to Chicago, Illinois. The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the heart of downtown. The Hyatt was used for all activities except the picnic on Sunday. The reunion included a Friday night Gospel Fest and a Showcase of family talent at the Saturday banquet. Coleman Woolfolk, Sr. married Nannie McClelland and following her death he married Charity Claypool. Some of the children of Coleman were Clarence, Bessie, Amos, Edgar, Coleman, Jr., and Lola.

 

            The next stop was Milwaukee, Wisconsin with the Claypool’s in 1993. They started something new, we had a theme. For this reunion the theme was “Children Are Our Future”. This was a great idea; it caused the attendants to look to the future as well as our past. The things we do will survive only if our children give them life. The host families were those of Sherman and Jerry Claypool. A note: John Claypool and Audrey (Henderson) Claypool were parents of Sherman and Jerry and Blanche (Claypool ) Clay is a sister.

 

            The 1987 reunion was hosted by the family of Mark and Blanche Clay. The 1995 event was organized by the Clay family also, but the hosts were the children of Mark’s older brother, Oris Clay. The reunion was held in the great city of Atlanta, Georgia. It included a visit to the complex of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. King’s Gravesite, and the Underground. At the banquet much musical talent was displayed and a few magical tricks were presented.

 

            At this junction of the reunion trail all families had hosted at least one reunion, so there is little more family history I can share. I will state the remaining stops on the journey from this point forward.

 

            In 1997 we revisited California. This time our venture led us to San Jose. The hosts were Gary and Jo Ann Barefield and other family members of  Elder Finas Dave Barefield, Jr. Their theme was “Journey Out West”.

 

            After 18 years the reunion returned to St. Louis, Missouri in 1999. The major planning and preparation was done by the children and grandchildren of William Barefield and Pearlie (McClelland) Barefield and the Curtis family. The theme was “Build on the Past, Embrace the Present and Prepare for the Future”. The Curtis family are descendants of Raymond Curtis and Clydia Barefield, the daughter of Arlene Barefield who was the daughter of Finas Dave Barefield.

 

            In the year 2001 we found a new place to celebrate the “Family”. The Woolfolk-Pryor family invited us to the mountains, Denver, Colorado. Lola (Woolfolk) Pryor a daughter of Coleman Woolfolk, Sr. and Nannie Bell McClelland, and a sister of Edgar; Coleman, Jr.; Amos; Clarence and others. She married Arthur Pryor and to this union seven daughters and a son were born. The reunion was held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel; the accommodations were great. Good shopping was near, many sight-seeing adventures and a beautiful atmosphere. The banquet included a talent show and emphasized the theme, “Family Unity Is A Powerful Bond”.

 

            The Clays of Davenport had hosted the reunion; the Clays of Atlanta had hosted the reunion; but the Clays of Milwaukee had not hosted the reunion. Marilyn (Clay) Barton a descendent of Mark Clay, Sr. decided this had to change. So, the 2003 reunion was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The hosts were the Clays, Bartons and Newburns. The booklet was very attractive with much color and history. We had the opportunity to visit the African World Tour. Throughout the reunion and especially during the banquet, there was much music. Thanks to Cecil Barton, Marilyn’s husband, and other talented family members. The theme was “Our Foundation, Our Family, Our Future”.

 

            At the conclusion of the Milwaukee reunion we were asked if we would like to visit Carson, California,” The City of Angels”. We said YES. In August of 2005 we journeyed to Carson at the call of Bessie (Henderson) Auberry and her husband Daniel Auberry. Bessie is the daughter of Jerry Henderson, who was the son of Charles Henderson. This was a long distance for many of us, but was well attended by over 300 participants. Friday night was a fish fry, touring on Saturday followed by a banquet on Saturday evening. And on Sunday we fed our spirit and gave thanks to God for all his blessings. After church we had a great picnic in a nice cozy park nearby. The special points about this reunion were the excitement of the hosts and that all events were within a small radius. NOW WHAT?

 

            In 2007 we were called back to the place where we all share common roots and where we call home, Grand Chain, Illinois. We thank the family of Joe and Sally (Henderson) Barfield for this memorial occasion. We will be forever grateful to William and Sharon Barfield, Mollie and J.B. Tyson, Phillip and Patricia Barfield, Hobert. Jr. and all others who contributed to this extravaganza. We were able to visit the Rhinnie Cemetery, the Church of God in Karnak, and various sites in Grand Chain where many of our ancestors once lived. The theme was “Let’s Turn Back the Hands of Time”. MORE, MORE, MORE!

 

            More will occur in Tampa, Florida in 2009. Arlene Barefield was a sibling of Elder Finas Dave Barefield, Jr. She had one daughter, Clydia Barefield who married Rev. Raymond Curtis. We will be called together by Anthony B. Curtis, Jr. who is the son of Anthony and Carol Curtis of Peoria, IL and the grandson of Clydia and Raymond Curtis.

 

SEE YOU IN TAMPA, FLORIDA!

This information was provided by Morris Barefield. Great job Morris!!!  To report mistakes, please send the corrections via the Contact Us button on the left.

Thanks!!!