COPENHAVER REUNION
July 29, 2023
MINUTES
The Copenhaver Family reunion celebrated their 295th year of Copenhavers in America on July 29, 2023 at Shelter #1 in Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, Virginia. Reunion president, Mrs. Katy Copenhaver Davidson welcomed the family and began the introductions by introducing her family and their lineage. Family introductions continued as they shared about themselves, family news and updates, where they were from and how they are related. Additional extended family were also mentioned and their accomplishments.
In memory of family members who have passed away, Mrs. Davidson read a moving tribute in honor of Mr. Frank Copenhaver (Crockett, VA); Mr. Rainy Copenhaver (Wytheville, VA) Mrs. Nancy and Ms. Jean Copenhaver (mother and daughter of Nebraska) and Mrs. Louise Leslie (wife of Marvin, of Marion, VA).
Mr. Mike Davidson, treasurer reported 65 members representing eight states and DC registered for the reunion this year and noted $1020 in donations and a balance of $2300 after the reunion expenses of the shelter, food and miscellaneous items.
Mrs. Davidson then commented that our secretary Mrs. Karen Copenhaver is out of town with family and felt she would want to mention that the Copenhaver website domain is paid for and hosted by Mr. Michael Perdue, owner of SmythNet. Mrs. Davidson then thanked them for hosting the site and keeping it active.
Mrs. Davidson also thanked Elizabeth Siebold for the several years she served as president and all her contributions to the reunion as our media person and taking care of our newsletter. Elizabeth commented that if there was anything the family wanted to include in the newsletter to let her know.
Serving as chairperson of the Frederick and Eve Phillippi Copenhaver Library Memorial Committee Mrs. Davidson reported they received $700 in donations during the past year and added several books, including Women of the American Revolution and a book about Civil War Prisoners. Mr. Trigg Copenhaver then surprised the family as he told the story about Deborah Ingram who wanted to offer for sale a copy of the Copenhaver Family of Smyth County, Virginia and he persuaded Mrs. Ingram to donate it as a fund raiser for the family library. So in honor of Mrs. Davidson (Katy) and all she has done for the Memorial Library for the past many years, Mr. Warren Copenhaver purchased the book and Mr. Trigg Copenhaver presented her with a check in the amount of $500 on behalf of his brother Warren, for the memorial Library. A letter from Deborah Ingram was included explaining that she donated the book for the fund raiser. Please see the extended library report from Katy in the newsletter.
Lelia Spears was then recognized who has another fund raising opportunity for the library and she noted that several family members were wearing colored shirts and noted she had some shirts left for $20.00 and the proceeds will be donated to the library.
It was then time to recognize special individuals with the traditional engraved Jefferson Cup. The oldest attending the reunion was Mrs. Marty Copenhaver of Marion (widow of Gene Copenhaver); youngest was Timothy Samuel (Sam) Johnson of Roanoke; and the individual who traveled the farthest was Mr. Rickey Copenhaver of Jacksonville, FL.
Election for next year’s reunion was next on the agenda and Mrs. Davidson (Katy) introduced the current slate of officers and asked if they would be willing to serve again next year. On motion and second, the current officers; Katy Copenhaver Davidson, president; Mark Copenhaver, vice president, Karen Copenhaver, secretary; Mike Davidson, treasurer; Elizabeth Siebold media/newsletter and Michael Perdue, website, were elected to serve for the 2024 reunion.
After the annual family photo, family enjoyed lunch together and an afternoon of fun at the park, ancestral land tours, and a tour of the library.
Family gathered again at 6:00 pm for a bring-your-own supper, making smores and last moments together to say farewell until next year.
Respectfully,
Karen L. Copenhaver, Secretary