I made a quick trip to Western North Carolina to join more than 50 friends and family at the 2025 Mackey Reunion. (Unfortunately, Sue, still recovering from Covid, couldn’t accompany me.)

The Mackeys first came to Weaverville, Buncombe Country, North Carolina early in the 19th century and settled in the northern part of the county in and around Weaverville. Our branch of the Mackey family has been gathering for nearly 50 years, starting when my “Granny Mackey” was still alive and reigned as the matriarch of the Mackey Clan.

I think Granny would be delighted and happy to know that so many of her progeny showed up–this was the best turnout in years. She and my grandfather had eleven children, six girls and five boys, over the course of twenty years. There were forty in my generation of cousins, and I don’t know how many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren there are now.

Weaverville, NC is situated in the rolling hills of North Buncombe, CO; in my opinion some of the prettiest country around, though it is just now recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene which wreaked havoc in the area, not quite a a year ago now in September 2024.

My cousin Paul kindly drove me all over the countryside to show me the damage that had been done by the storm. Many people, although fortunately no one in the immediate family, are still waiting to receive the assistance they need to rebuild and restart their lives.

My mother, Carlie (now 97) and two sisters, Isabel (99) and Marie (88), are the only ones of the children still with us. Mom and Aunt Marie attended the reunion, along with much of their extended families.

This year all of my siblings planned to attend, but my sister, Glenda, who was to chauffeur Mom, was laid low with a severe sinus infection, leaving her with fatigue and vertigo. My brother Dale & his wife Carrie brought Mom instead, and my sister Sandy & her daughter Sarah took her home. My nephew Glenn and his wife, Garland, and their two children, Art & Harvey came on their own. They have been some of the most consisten attendees at past reunions. Mom was in 7th Heaven and it was great fun for us all, but we missed not having Glenda with us.

The Clauhs children, Freddy, Paul, Bobby, Laurie & Margaret, really have played a vital role in keeping the reunion going these last few years. I can’t thank them enough for their thoughtfulness and hard work in providing this wonderful opportunity for all of us Mackey Descendents.

Aunt Bell who will turn 99 on September 28th was not able to attend, but some of us visited with her after the reunion. She now lives in a care facility and doesn’t get out much, but she remains a feisty and an entertaining conversationalist and raconteur.

She had us laughing and hanging on her stories throughout our visit–despite her hearing problems. We reluctantly had to leave after more than an hour visiting. I am just astounded by her mental acuity and cheerfulness. I have to ask myself that if I live so long, will I be as alert and sociable?

It would not have been easy for me to attend the reunion without my cousin, Tracie Mackey & her husband, Jimmy Emory, who picked me up at the Asheville airport; Aunt Marie & Uncle Fred, who hosted me Friday evening and provided a scrumptious southern supper of ham, green beans, creamed corn & potato salad, all lovingly made by Aunt Marie; and Patty & Bobby Clauhs who hosted me Saturday evening at their mountain cabin, fed me & then carried me back to the airport on Sunday morning. Bobby and I stayed up after Patty went to bed, sitting around a campfire Saturday night, talking, catching up, and recalling family stories until a passing rain storm finally drove us in.

Thanks to all of you!

It was a very short, but action packed, visit. I loved the reunion and loved re-connecting with family, many of whom I had not seen for years & years. I especially liked seeing the youngest cousins.

I haven’t mentioned everyone who came–I probably didn’t even talk to everyone who was there, but the experienced has warmed my heart beyond description.