Stewart Family Reunion 2024
Continue to celebrate and honor our family legacy as a Role Model of Love in your family & community.
What did you bring to the reunion table?
Return to Cooper River
Reunion planning began in April with Sunday meetings on Zoom. There was some hesitation due to just a few months of planning time until August. But by faith, family members from every branch of our family tree stepped up and made things happen. Family members volunteered to be responsible for every area of the celebration.
Six generations of the Stewart family united on Sunday, August 18, 2024 under the Armitage Pavilion at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken Township, NJ, the site of our first reunion in 1986. For the first time in 10 years we joined together to celebrate our family legacy. Over 150 family members and friends returned to Cooper River. Our return after 28 years was a beautiful, sun-filled, fun-filled day. Weather was forecast to be rainy all day. But God! “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16). We prayed and God answered. He held back the rain all day allowing us to come together as role models of love to enjoy the day.Family members traveled from far and near to reunite in love. They arrived for the celebration from California, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, and all over South Jersey to reunite in love under the newly renovated pavilion where our reunions first started.
Memorable Family Activities
Kevin, Lamont, and Jadon led the setup team before anyone arrived. Grill, tables, chairs, and supplies were in place as family members began to arrive.
Ronda unloaded ice, Christine and Mika unloaded food, ice, and put tablecloths in place. Family tents and chairs sprung up around the pavilion as music played and the parking lot filled. One, two, then three tables were filled with food as more family & friends arrived. Aaron unloaded boxes with 200 pieces of chicken, as water, Gatorade, burgers, and hot dogs, were iced down in coolers before hitting the grill manned by Kevin and his team. Jean spread out a table full of cakes and pies under the watchful eye of Ronda, who became the dessert police.
There was more food than people and everyone ate well as little people screamed, jumping in the bounce house.
All the while, family members of all ages kept arriving with big smiles and even bigger hugs.Aaron led praise songs as we prepared for worship, with remarks by Dennis. Jadon read the scripture and Johnny prayed and presented the elements for the Lord's Supper.
Cokie brought the word from I Corinthians 13 (the love chapter), and asked the question, "Why are we here today, and what did you bring to the reunion table?"
Memorable quotes and lessons to remember from the message: (1) We are saints, Christians living in a sinful depraved world .
Yes, the aunts showed up to share words of wisdom from the 1998 reunion at the Landmark Hotel where they were honored as role models of love.A memorial power point of those gone too soon brought back memories with tears of sadness and joy. Check it our on the next page.
Planning for 2026 40th reunion celebration
(2) Pop Stewart prophesized about the "evil box" (TV), that has evolved into phones, tablets, and social media that is destroying the minds of our children and adults alike. (3) Electronics have become pseudo parents for a generation that is addicted to social media resulting in all time high mental illness and suicide rates for young people and diminishing academics. (4) Love is patient, kind, does not envy or boast, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth, love protects, trusts, hopes and always perseveres; love never fails; now these three remain: faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love." (5) Mom and Pop believed in the Word and showed it in love. (6) Renew family strength, faith, and values. (7) Respect your parents and each other. (8) Don't keep a record of wrongs and hold grudges, Forgive as God has forgiven you. (9) Take the first step and accept Christ as your personal Savior...He will do the rest. (10) You are charged with saving the next generation from a depraved world. No smartphones before high school. No social media before 16. Phone-free schools. More playtime and independence instead of inside on iphones and video games. Finally, F-A-M-I-L-Y (Father And Mother I Love You). Be a role model of love!
At our reunion, we shared old stories, built new relationships, shared family history, and DeeDee closed worship with a powerful prayer.
If you missed the reunion, you missed a great time of prayer, praise, singing, dancing, laughing, and memories that will last a life time. Don't miss our next celebration in 2026.
family reunion 2024 gallery Fill this space with your pictures
2024 Reunion Shirt
Mary made all the reunion shirts. MECustom Creations did a great job. Thanks Mary!
PHOTO GALLERY
Many many photos were taken at the reunion. Send me your pictures so I can create a family gallery to be shared with your friends and family for years to come.
2026 reunion planning coming soon
Zoom meetings will begin soon for family members to help in planning our next reunion in 2026, 40 years after our first gathering in 1986. Sign-up on the CONTACT FORM to meet us in the Zoom Room.Check back often for family updates and 2026 planning.
Celebrating Special Occasions
Hey Family,
Use the CONTACT FORM to send me your current contact information, your birthday, and anniversary so we can do shout outs on the family webpage.
Join us in 2026!
Be part of our planning in the zoom room starting soon.
1998 FAMILY REUNION - FIND YOU IN THE PICTURE