The Scooba Family Reunion was organized to bring fellow Mississippians together once a year to renew acquaintances, display a love for our oldest living members and possess a spirit of togetherness and good citizenship concept in our various communities. Located twelve mile northeast of DeKalb, the name Scooba is derived from the Choctaw Indian work, “Oskeba” meaning reed break; the town being loc
ated near the break section of the county. Scooba is one of the oldest settlements in the entire area east of the Mississippi, having present site, only a cemetery being left to mark the old site. When the Mobile and Ohio Railroad brought its rails through the 1850’s, Scooba moved over to be in the new feature of the countryside. In 1906, Scooba had the distinction of being, the third largest distribution point for various products on the M & O Railroad between Mobile and Jackson, Tennessee. Scooba kept pace with the city of Meridian as a cotton market, just prior to World War I. Like most small towns there are businesses to sustain the community, lots of farm land, and the church that is still the center of community life. It was this center that gave Scoobains the closeness and the community spirit that gave rise to the annual reunions. We have come a long way, by the grace of God, according to Mr. Felix and Willie M. Lockett of East St. Louis, IL. Isn’t it funny how time slips away? It was 42 years ago that the first reunion convened but it was not the Scooba family reunion it was a picnic that started from proceeds of scrap metal collected by Felix Lockett and his co-workers in 1964 in East St. Felix’s sister Pearl Chapman of Omaha, NE attended this picnic and had such an enjoyable time, she insisted that the Lockett family should have a reunion of this nature. Felix and Pearl agreed that the 1965 Lockett family reunion would convene in Omaha, NE. In 1966 the Lockett family reunion convened in East St. In 1967 the reunion went back to Omaha, NE. In 1968 there was no Lockett reunion due to illness in the family. There is no record of the 1969 Lockett reunion. The Scooba reunion has two beginnings interwoven into one. The first is a salute to the late Eliza Rencher Lockett who was born (as were her descendants as far back as can be remembered) in Scooba, MS. She was married to Mose Lockett, and deceased at the age of 27 leaving seven children. Her influence gave a great closeness to her children. Years after her death, the eldest son, Felix Lockett, remembered her words “Help keep the children together”. By this time all of the children were married and living in different cities. At the request of the eldest son, they began to meet once a year beginning in the 1960’s. Soon cousins joined into the family reunion circle. They must have received something from their gatherings for as the years passed the group grew. Even though the reunion no longer consisted of the immediate family it still possessed the family spirit, because of the closeness of the community from which they came. Most of us can trace our pasts back to the mid 1800’s. Families became related either by blood or marriage, and to this day over 80% of the population from Scooba is related. At the 1970 reunion in East St. Louis, IL it was decided that the next family reunion would be held in Chicago, IL. In February of 1971 two family members, Inell Rencher Harrison and Emma Marie Lockett Goldman were returning from Scooba where they had attended the funeral services of the late Juanita Rencher Carr, a native of Scooba, MS. Somewhere between Birmingham and Indianapolis they discussed how nice it would be to meet in joy, instead of sorrow, not only with the family once a year, but also with all of those whom they knew and loved. They contacted other members of the family and it was decided that the already planned 1971 reunion in Chicago be called the Scooba Reunion. Ora D. Richardson, Emma Marie Lockett Goldman and Inell Rencher Harrison are responsible for giving the Scooba Reunion its name. The Chicago delegation came together sent out letters to many cities asking them to tell others about the Scooba Reunion in Chicago. As a result on the last Saturday in July, 1971 people begin arriving from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Nebraska, Mississippi and Missouri. The reunion was opened with a song and prayer, and after hours of hellos, hugs, kisses, pictures and enjoyment, the 500 hundred guests went their separate ways, thanking God for letting them meet together in love, laughter and harmony. In 1972, the reunion was held in Scooba, Mississippi, due to inclement weather the reunion was held at the Spencer High School gymnasium. It was a great delight to hear Rev. John Carter one of the old pioneers of Scooba. The Felton’s cooked hogs on open fire, the reunion was well attended. In 1973, the reunion was held in Flint, Michigan, to honor another Scooba pioneer, Mattie Hare. Hare was 91 years of age, she had prayed for the reunion to be held in Flint, this would be the last time she would see all her family and friends from Scooba.
1974, the reunion was held in East St. Louis IL; more than 3000 people attended the reunion. According to Felix, this was a miracle from God, just as Jesus took the two fish and five loaves of bread and fed more than 5000. 26 people took $25 per person and feed almost 3000 people.
1975, the reunion was held in Cleveland, OH under the leadership of J. T. Rencher. J. worked hard in preparing food and other activities for more than 500 attendees. He was too tired to attend the festivities on the weekend of the reunion.
1976, the reunion was held again in Scooba, MS more than 5000 people attended. The idea of a closed executive meeting was instituted here due to so much outside interference.
1977, the reunion was held in Chicago, IL approximately 1500 people attended.
1978, the reunion was held in Jackson, MS under the leadership of Ossie M. Griggs. At the request of Exie Griggs Williamson the Saturday night dance became an official part of the Scooba Reunion in order to help defray the cost of hosting the reunion.
1979, the reunion was held in East St. No place was allocated for hosting the reunion in case of rain. It began raining on Thursday before the reunion was to convene on Saturday. On Friday it was still raining; several members of the East St. Louis branch went into prayer; God answered their prayers, held back the rain and the reunion was a success. Once again a miracle was performed in the history of the reunion.
1980, the reunion was held in Cleveland, OH under the leadership of J. Rencher; the executive body voted to host the reunion every two years instead of once a year.
1981, no Scooba Reunion.
1982, the reunion was held in Scooba, MS at East Mississippi Junior College, approximately 4000 people attended. The national officers changed, Felix Lockett resigned as national president and James Granger was elected as president.
1983, no Scooba Reunion.
1984, the reunion was held in Chicago, IL under the leadership of Earnestine Clark Woods. Lodging accommodations were held at the Hyatt Regency, one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. The first picnic banquet style was implemented here, approximately 900 people attended.
1985, no reunion.
1986, the reunion was held in Brooklyn, NY under the leadership of Edward Joe
Casenave. The Casenave family and church members prepared food by hand for approximately 900 people. At the executive meeting the body voted for the reunion return to meeting once a year due to so many deaths over a two year span.
1987, the reunion was held in Jackson, MS.
1988, the reunion was held in East St. Louis, IL.
1989, the reunion was held in Cleveland, OH.
1990, the reunion was held in Los Angeles, CA under the leadership of Johnny B. White, four other people along with Johnny B. hosted the reunion. Food was prepared by hand for more than 500 people. A car was given away as a door prize; Emma M. Lockett Goldman of Chicago, IL won the car.
1991, the 20th year reunion was held in Scooba, MS under the leadership of Shelia Granger Newton approximately 5000 people attended. The food was prepared by hand; hogs were cooked on an open fire. The store merchants in Scooba was so pleased with the number of people in attendance at this reunion – Mr. K. Briggs, Sr., and other merchants basically sold out of everything in their stores during the 3 day weekend. After the reunion was over Mr. Briggs remarked that we should have the Scooba Reunion in Scooba, MS every year – he could never remember a weekend in the history of Briggs Five Point that he had sold out of everything.
1992, the reunion was held in Chicago, IL under the leadership of Earnestine Clark Woods. Lodging accommodations were held at the Conrad Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago. The picnic was held at South Shore Cultural Center, the theme: Remembering the past as we continue into the Nineties”.
1993, the reunion was held in Flint, MI under the leadership of Theresa Allen. Lodging accommodation was held at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel, Phase I of the Scooba Reunion Building –located in Scooba, MS began.
1994, the reunion was held in Jackson, MS under the leadership of Aubrey Watley.
1995, the reunion was held in East St. Louis, IL under the leadership of Phyllis Robinson daughter of Sallie King Vickers. Lodging accommodations were held at the Holiday Inn, Collinsville, IL, The picnic was held at Frank Holten State Park in East St. Louis, IL.
1996, the reunion was held in New York. Lodging accommodation was held at the Marriott Hotel World Trade Center. The executive body voted for the reunion to convene every two years and voted for Wright Construction Company of Louisville, MS to erect the building in Scooba, MS.
1997, no reunion.
1998, the reunion was held in Cleveland, OH under the leadership of Tandy Rencher. Lodging accommodations was held at the Cleveland Marriott Airport Hotel. The executive body voted to combine the national and building fund treasury and he mid year meeting was re-instituted.
1999, no Scooba reunion.
2000, the reunion was held in Scooba, MS the building was complete, all activities was held at the Scooba reunion park beginning with the executive meeting. The Scooba branch worked hard preparing food and getting the grounds ready for the reunion. Hogs were cooked on open fire - a play entitled “Welcoming the New Minister’, was presented on Friday night as part of the hospitality hour, Scooba Reunion Glimpses a PowerPoint presentation done by the National Secretary, Wynelia Cherry and presented in honor of the founder of Scooba Reunion - Mr. Felix Lockett. To the amazement of many branches who thought the Scooba branch would not have the building and grounds ready for the 2000 reunion – National President James E. Granger, Chairperson Shelia Newton and the local branch supporters worked hard to make sure that the 2000 reunion was a memorable one . Approximately 2500 people attended.
2001, the reunion was held in Shamburg, IL under the leadership of Burnell Goldman. The picnic was indoor banquet style – approximately 600 people attended.
2002, the reunion was held in Jackson, MS under the leadership of Aubrey Watley.
2003 the reunion was held in Flint, MI under the leadership of Theresa Allen.
2004 the reunion was held in East St. Lodging accommodations were held at the Holiday Inn, Collinsville, IL.
2005, the reunion was held in Brooklyn, NY under the leadership of Edna Casenave Dale. Hotel accommodations - Brooklyn, Marriott Hotel. National President James Granger resigned as president in March of 2005 and Wynelia Cherry was elected as the new National President. July 28-30, 2006, Scoobians assembled in Cleveland, OH. The reunion festivities were held at the Cleveland Marriott Airport Hotel under the leadership of Charlie Rencher, Jr. approximately 500 people attended this reunion. The “Passing of the Torch” celebration from Tandy Rencher former chairperson of the Cleveland, OH branch to the Charlie Rencher the current chairperson was very touching. Color coded candles were lit by the National President and the each branch chairperson with colors depicting each city in attendance. July 27-29, 2007 the Scooba Reunion convened in the home town of Scooba, MS under the leadership of Shelia Granger Newton. Lodging accommodations were held in Meridian, MS at the Hampton Inn and the Quality Inn hotels. The executive meeting was held on the campus of East Mississippi Community College and all other activities were held at the Scooba Reunion Park building. The theme for the 2007 reunion was “Bringing It Home Where It All Begin”. The subtheme: “Show Time at the Apollo”. The youth of the Scooba branch presented renditions from the ’60 and 70’s of musical personalities such as the Supremes, The Mighty Temptations, Ike and Tina Turner, James Brown, Lee Williams and many other personalities. More than 500 Scoobains traveled from cities across the United States to be a part of Scooba Reunion 2007 hosted in the place where it all began - Scooba, MS. July 25-27 2008 convened in Lombard, IL a suburb of the windy city of Chicago, IL.under the leadership of James E. Carr. The Westin Hotel in Lombard, IL was the host hotel for the three day weekend of events. The theme “From the Acorn to be Bean” the Chicago Branch’s souvenir booklet prepared by Ray London husband of Becky Marie Griggs along with the “quilt collage of pictures was an event for the history books. Ju;y 23-26, 2009 an entourage of Scoobians across the United States will travel to the “Motor City” of Flint, MI as we celebrate Scooba Reunion 2009.. The Holiday Inn Gateway Centre is the host hotel for the three day weekend of events. Many of the original 1971 participants are deceased, yet the numbers continue to increase, taking in not only Scooba born natives, but their future generations. As we gather to renew acquaintances, hug, kiss, laugh chat and chew. We are proud of our heritage, we shall in thought and spirit think of those who have gone on before us and left their footprints in the sands of time.
