Annual Marshall Family Reunion History
An introduction to the Marshall Family, our heritage, our reunions, and the enduring legacy of Nero and Littie Marshall.
An Introduction to The Marshall Family
Family traditions and the celebration of our ancestors have long been significant in the lives of the Nero and Littie Marshall descendants. We have always treasured our rich heritage and acknowledge that shared memories of our upbringing are vital keepsakes to our well-being.
The beginning chapters of Marshall history, which we celebrate, had already been written twenty-three years before the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The year was 1840. The “Father of the Marshall Family” was born and was named Nero. He took a young woman named Lydia, known as Littie, for his bride.
Nero and Littie Marshall’s Children
The Victoria County Census, taken in June 1870 and placed into record in August 1870, reflects their birthplace as Mississippi. Nero and Littie became the parents of ten children:
- Willie “Billy” Marshall
- Lumard “Lum” Marshall
- Roxana “Roxy” Marshall
- Samuel “Sam” Marshall
- Betsy Marshall
- Lucy Marshall
- Nero Jr. “Garfield” Marshall
- Lula “Honey” Marshall
- Paul Marshall
- John Marshall
While the physical appearance of Nero and Littie is not known by living descendants, there are many traits that are common among the men, women, and children in the Marshall Family. The most important are those things that we give the greatest value: a love for God and family.
The Marshall Family’s story is not uncommon. Like many large families, our struggle as African Americans was not only a daily challenge, but also a way of life. During the early years of their marriage, Nero and Littie lived in Victoria, Texas, where many Marshalls are known to have lived. Research indicates that by 1880, they had relocated to Harrison County, near Marshall, Texas.
Nero worked as a farmer with the help of their older children. Littie was a homemaker who cared for their younger children. By the end of the 1800s, most of their children had moved to Palestine, Texas and began families of their own. Most remained in the East Texas area, and many of their offspring now refer to Palestine and Marshall as “home.”
The First Reunion Years
During the 1950s, Ellen Marshall Gailord conceived the idea of gathering the family for a reunion, a vision that was embraced by third and fourth generation descendants. The first reunion was hosted on a Sunday afternoon in September 1958 by Rosie Marshall Cary and her husband, McKeever “M. L.” Cary Sr., at their Palestine, Texas home on Swantz Street.
From that first gathering, the reunions became a tradition. For many families, it became a vacation as they traveled from city to city to the homes of alternate hosts. The reunions have grown tremendously with family members as well as friends who have embraced the tradition.
With the exception of every fifth year, most reunions have been centrally located in Palestine. The reunions are hosted by geographic area and are held in large venues. Through the success of coming together, the family has continued to improve how the reunions are organized.
A Family Milestone
The family feels that the implementation of the Marshall reunions has proven to be the greatest milestone reached as a family unit. This tradition is the heart of the family and has expanded into an eventful weekend of activities with the primary focus being on the children.
As a result of coming together, the family has published four volumes of history, one cookbook, two historical calendars, one pictorial photobook in hardcover, family history in video format, years of genealogical research, a semi-annual newsletter, and the Board of Directors.
Since 1992, the family has also presented the prestigious “Extra-Mile Award” every five years.
Written in 1992, the Marshall family creed, “We Are the Marshall Descendants,” was inspired by the writings of educator Marva Collins. Its companion is expressed in the words of the family song, “We Are One,” inspired by the lives of our ancestors.
Dramatic presentations from the reunions have often been expanded and presented as ministry in Texas churches and prisons in Palestine and Bryan. In 2006, the family developed “Sewing Good Seeds,” a mentoring program for teens and young adults to prepare them for family and community leadership.
Reunion Highlights
50th Annual Reunion
On August 31 through September 2, 2007, the family celebrated the “50th Family Reunion Gala Weekend” in Houston, Texas. Candleholders engraved with the family coat-of-arms were the featured memento.
Twelve Marshalls received the “Extra-Mile Award,” including Edward R. Curlin, Jacqueline R. Curlin, Dorothy Marshall Keats, Kasetta M. Keats, Alisa K. Henry, April Curlin King, Tommy Lowe, Lillian Thompson Mackey, Napoleon Smith, and John Earl Thompson.
51st Annual Reunion
Hosted by the Fort Worth Marshalls, the 51st Family Reunion ushered in renewed excitement. The Family and Board Meeting had the highest attendance ever, and many family members committed to serving in leadership roles on various committees.
The weekend included the Annual Family Picnic, Casino Night, and the 51st Annual Heritage Dinner, which featured Marshall children and special presentations to family matriarchs and fourth-generation descendants.
52nd Annual Reunion
The Palestine-Longview Marshalls hosted the 52nd Family Reunion. Returning “home” after several years brought great joy. The reunion included the first Memorial Celebration at Memorial Cemetery, the family picnic at Davey Dogwood Trails Park, an exhibit of family history, and the first family play since the 45th reunion.
Sunday’s Heritage Dinner featured internationally acclaimed opera diva Audra Scott-Collins.
53rd Annual Reunion
Hosted by the Houston-Galveston Marshalls in Palestine, Texas, the 53rd Reunion included tributes and remembrances during the second Memorial Celebration at Memorial Cemetery. The annual picnic followed at Dogwood Trails Park.
The weekend included an all-white affair at the Palestine Civic Center, family photographs, worship at The Antioch Church, and a Heritage Dinner featuring an exhibit of family history.
54th Annual Reunion
In 2011, the Fort Worth Marshalls hosted the 54th Annual Marshall Reunion. The reunion began with an indoor picnic. Saturday evening’s “Hat Attitude” allowed everyone to step out in style. Children were featured during the Sunday Heritage Dinner, and plans were presented for the 55th Annual Marshall Reunion in Dallas, Texas.
55th Annual Reunion
The 55th Reunion began with a Welcome Reception on Friday evening. The Annual Family Picnic was held on Saturday morning with games, prizes, and plenty of fun. “So You Think You Can Sing” became the highlight of Saturday evening.
The weekend concluded with worship at Greater Bethlehem Baptist Church and the 55th Annual Heritage Dinner, where Rev. Billy Bell was the featured speaker. Volume Four of “A Collection of Memoirs” was dedicated, featuring “Memories & Milestones.”
56th Annual Reunion
The 56th Reunion was the first joint reunion planned since the 25th Reunion in 1982. The weekend included a tribute to military servicemen and servicewomen at Veterans Park, a Family Fiesta, and a Mardi Gras Marshall Style celebration.
Sunday worship included communion led by Rev. Dr. Darlene Ruffin Alexander, with music led by Rev. Ricky Johnson. The reunion concluded with a heritage luncheon and grateful acknowledgment that no family member had passed away that year.
57th Annual Reunion
The 57th Reunion was held in 2014 in Palestine, Texas. The Dallas area hosted “Saturday Morning at the Movies,” the Fort Worth area hosted “MarSoul Circus,” and the Houston-Galveston area hosted “Harlem Nights.”
Sunday’s Heritage Dinner was hosted by the Joint Reunion Committee.
58th Annual Reunion
The “Grand 58” Reunion was held in 2015 in Palestine, Texas, and attendance was the highest since the 50th Reunion. The weekend featured a Labor Day Picnic, photo booths, “Family Feud,” and the “Happy Days” celebration hosted by the Houston, Galveston, and Out-of-State Marshalls.
Presentations were made to fourth-generation family members, and engraved ceramic cups with the Marshall coat-of-arms were presented.
59th Annual Reunion
The 59th Reunion began with a “Rock the Block Party” planned by the Fort Worth, Dallas, Palestine, and Longview areas. Saturday evening featured “The Sound of Music” theme and entertainment planned by the Houston, Galveston, and Out-of-State areas.
Sunday’s Heritage Dinner theme, “A Link to Our Past & Bridge to Our Future,” climaxed the reunion and was coordinated by the Joint Reunion Committee.
60th Marshall Diamond Jubilee Reunion
On September 1, 2017, the Diamond Jubilee Reunion began with a reception at the Sheraton Hotel in Fort Worth. Blue and white sports shirts were distributed, and the family enjoyed a welcome buffet.
The weekend included the Picnic & Men’s Barbecue Cook-off, Dinner & Casino Night, worship at Morningside Baptist Church, and the Diamond Jubilee Heritage Dinner honoring the family’s kings and queens.
Extra-Mile recipients included Danny Briggs, Shani Hartman, Gary Marshall, Shawnee Marshall, and Joycelyn Westbrooks. Reunion attendance was the highest in reunion history.
61st Marshall Reunion
On September 1 and 2, 2018, the Sensational 61st Reunion was held in Palestine at the Express Inn. The reunion began with the Family Meeting, followed by the Annual Picnic hosted by the Fort Worth, Palestine, and Dallas family.
The evening entertainment used the theme “Black Panther.” The family worshipped and received communion with members of The Antioch Church. The Heritage Dinner theme was “Experiencing the Journey While Celebrating the Legacy.”
There is No End to Our Story
Through the guidance of resilient men and women of the fourth generations, the family’s bond continues to stay strong. The annual reunions continue to be a special time for family and friends to gather, and that is what we truly treasure.
The Marshall lifeline stems from one or more survivors who planted their roots on southern ground. We cannot forget what our ancestors endured to survive: their sacrifices, sufferings, and tenacious spirit. We cannot forget how the spirit of Nero, Littie, and their children has kept the Marshall family together.
There is no end to our story. We continue to write pages of our history and bring forth new lives and new ideas to challenge ourselves.
Although we have lost the intimacy that was afforded to us during the years of gathering in dining rooms and backyards, we have no regrets. Rather, we have held on to the shared closeness and maintained a bond that has withstood the test of time.
This history honors the legacy, resilience, and continued unity of the Marshall Family.