The 45th Rowe family reunion was held Sun., June 28, at the Massey Volunteer Fire Department. Descendants of John Pickens (Pick) Rowe and Mattie Johnson Rowe (Big Papa and Big Mama) gathered to enjoy visiting, eating and sharing family memories. Scrapbooks have been kept since the first reunions were held at John and Helen Rowe’s home and Piney Grove Church in the 1970s. The scrapbooks and other family memorabilia are always an enjoyable focal point for the family, as they were this year.

Jenny Strickland Cunningham traveled the longest distance to the reunion, coming from Tulsa, Okla. Corky and Stephanie Morris traveled from Longwood, Fla. Others attending were Buck and Joy Rowe Strickland, Joey Strickland, Mike and Debbie Strickland, Steve and Susie Strickland McKee, Gail Rowe Baggs, Brad Vest and Mike, Sallye Rowe, Brennan and Rowe Swafford, all of Hartselle; Emily Gover of Decatur; Keith and Becky Drinkard Bryan of Eva; Charlie and Judy Rowe Gover, Frances Vest Rowe and Pick, Mandy and Maeleigh Rowe of Falkville; Lucy Morris, Fran Morris and Ann Morris from Jacksonville; William Morris of Roanoke; Stephen Drinkard, William Britt Morris and Valerie Click from Huntsville; Debbie Thompson of Irondale; Tom Drinkard, Blane and Cindy Drinkard Cagle,

Chelsea Cagle and Dianne Thompson Baer, from Birmingham; George

Hargett of Russellville; Thomas Rowe and Marge Drinkard of Langston; Jay, Christy Richards and Colton Westmoreland of Madison.

Pick and Mattie Rowe moved to Falkville from south Alabama in 1899 and were the parents of 10 children. All lived to adulthood except Little Mattie, who lived less than a year. The others grew up in Falkville, and most stayed in Falkville to raise families of their own and contribute to the town and community. The other nine children were Jeff (Anne Lou Lynn), Lela (Hugh Plemmons), Nona (Wm. Thomas Mitchell), Stella (Virgil Clark), Paul (Minnie Fuqua), Powell (Brenda Smith), Lannie  (H.L. Sudduth), Emily (Fred Wiley) and John Pickens Jr. (Roxie Thompson).

Pick (Big Papa) was a prominent merchant and farmer and a member of Falkville Baptist Church where he taught the men’s Bible class for years. He was born in Wetumpka in 1862, the same year his father, schoolteacher Matthew Rowe, went off to the Civil War. He was a member of Co. C 10th Confederate Calvary regiment. He was killed on outpost duty during a skirmish with Union Calvary at Big Hill, Ky., on Aug. 23, 1862. Matthew’s wife, Rebecca Ann Bush Rowe, came to Falkville in 1899 and lived with Pick’s family. Mattie Rowe died in 1938 and Pick in 1955.

The Young At Heart of First Baptist of Falkville recently met at Cahoots in Hartselle for lunch. Enjoying a time of fellowship were: Mike and Deborah Thompson and grandson Riley, Bruce and Georgia Treese, Dwight and Linda Alldredge, Alfred and Linda Bryan, Joe and Fran Edmondson, John and Martha Nelson, Rita Burden, Geraldene Rowe, Dean Nelson, Margaret Ayre and C. A. and Lola Blevins.

The Ladies Red, White and Blue Summer Social of Falkville First Baptist Church was held Tues., June 23. The fellowship was graciously hosted at the home of Rita and Vaughn Burden. The occasion was festively decorated in patriotic colors.

This is an annual event for the Woman’s Missionary groups of the church. The missions program entitled “A Time for Everything: God Has a Plan for You at Every Stage of Life,” was presented by Mary Travers of the Baptist Young Women’s Group.

There were 29 guests in attendance. All ladies brought a salad to be enjoyed at the fellowship. The salads were incredible, ranging, from simple to savory and sweet delights.

Vaughn Burden provided Gospel entertainment. He used his vocal talent to touch the hearts of everyone present. Many requests were taken to the delight of the audience.

With the outstanding fellowship, food and fun, everyone enjoyed the social. Beautiful centerpieces were given as prizes to random recipients from a drawing of all names.