Submitted
Descendants of the Henry Milas and Josephine Hopkins Earnhardt met Sunday, Oct. 28, for the 16th Earnhardt reunion at the Union Lutheran Church on Bringle Ferry Road. More than 100 family members attended.
The Earnhardts lived in the Dunns Mountain and Crystal Lake areas. Their eight children were Hettie Bell Earnhardt Allman, Della Earnhardt Wyatt, James David Earnhardt, Charlie Edward Earnhardt, Samuel Council Earnhardt, Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt Hartman, John Henry Earnhardt, and Dock Earnhardt. The oldest living descendant is Edna Earnhardt Bentley, 90, of Charlie Edward Earnhardt.
Amy Earnhardt Blackman, descendant of Charlie Edward Earnhardt, welcomed everyone and gave the blessing before the covered dish lunch. Copies of past reunions were given, past reunion pictures were on display and Fall arrangements decorated the dining area.
The family remembered members who are sick: Edna Earnhardt Bentley and Mickie Earnhardt (Charlie Edward Earnhardt). October is Spina Bifida and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The family remembered the ones who are facing these challenges.
Births since the last reunion were Isabella Renee Owens (Charlie Edward Earnhardt); Caiden Tyler Honeycutt (Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt Hartman); Raelynn Cheyanne Rodgers, twins Isley Dakota Earnhardt, and Kemmi Marie Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt).
Marriage since the last reunion was Terry and Christal Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt).
A gift was presented to the oldest person present, Earl Davis Earnhardt, 85, in the Samuel Council Earnhardt family.
Gold coins were given to the youngest descendants in attendance: Harley Grace Earnhardt, Jackson Levi Earnhardt, Harlie Nicole Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt), and Danica Faith Honeycutt (Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt Hartman).
All children registered for the Halloween door prizes, and Harley Grace Earnhardt and Harlie Nicole Earnhardt were the winners. Halloween treat bags were given to the children present.
Deaths since the last reunion were Howard Wayne Bentley (Charlie Edward Earnhardt) and Sue Hendrew Rufty (Hettie Bell Earnhardt Allman). Families placed flowers on gravesites in memory of their deceased descendants.
Reunion coordinator was Amy Earnhardt Blackman (Charlie Edward Earnhardt). The Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt Hartman and Samuel Council Earnhardt families had the most descendants present.
Sandy Beck of Providence Forge, Va. (Hettie Bell Earnhardt Allman) traveled the farthest. Family members and guests attended from Lexington, Mooresville, Salisbury, Spencer, Rockwell, Morven, Granite Quarry, Virginia, South Carolina.