Independence Homecoming
FACTS ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE HOMECOMING COMMITTEE

1.Organized in August, 1982 by Helen (Carter) Reeves & Mary Lou (Pouncil) Washington, two home town ladies who had a similar dream. 

2. Charter members: Alene Barker (resigned ), Pearlene Barker (current), Jim O. Brown (current), Ida Mae (Harvey) Newsom (current), Graham Reeves (active), Helen (Carter) Reeves (current), Esther (Knighten) Teal (deceased), Harry Tidwell (deceased), Verlean Tidwell (deceased), and Mary Lou (Pouncil) Washington (inactive)  

3. The dates for the first homecoming event were July 1,2, & 3, 1983

4. First officers were: president - Helen Reeves, vice president -Verlean Tidwell, treasurer - Harry Tidwell, asst. secretary - Pearlene Barker secretary - Mary Lou Washington, Asst. secretary - Ida Mae Newsom

5. Speakers: 1983 - John Edgar Tidwell, 1986 - Anne (Bettis) Sanders, 1989 - LeRoy Shepherd, 1992 - Sam Ford, 1995 - Sandra (Frisco) Hysten, 1998 - Stanley Vann, Jr., 2001 - Christine (Patrick) Sharpe, 2004 - John Edgar Tidwell, and 2007 Trina (Williams) Jones

6. Master/Mistress of Ceremonies: 1983 - Sam Ford, 1986 - Edgar P. (Fuzzy) Barbera, 1989 - Lona Lolette Reeves, 1992 - Donald Barbera, 1995 - Willard Smith, 1998 - Cassandra (Greenwood) Keirstead, 2004 -Charles Gary Crooms, 2004 - Ernest V. Henderson, and 2007 Celeste (Clay) Greene

7. Ministers: 1983 - Reverend Robert Montgomery, 1986 - Reverend Bennie Mosley, Jr., 1989- Elder Melvin Simpson, Sr., 1992 -Reverend Bennie Mosley, Jr., 1995 - Elder Charles Barker, Sr., 1998 - Elder Walter Simpson, 2001 - Elder Ivan Cornel Teal, 2004 - Elder Corey Davis, 2007

8. Honorary Members: Melvin & Sandra Simpson, Robert & Phyllis Montgomery, DuWayne (Red) & Shirley Hanson (deceased), Cleotha Allen & former members, Alene Barker, O'Neil Peterson (deceased), Thelma Noble (2007), Ann Johnson (2007)

9. Scholarship recipients include: Karen & Angela Washington (daughters of member, Mary Lou Washington) Rico Anderson, LaKisha Pascall, Anthony Simpson, Chad Brown, Susan Hunter, Alicia Watson, LaFlace Allen, Ariane Barker (daughter of member, Charles Barker), Tim Henderson & Tamisha Barker (son & daughter of member Ernest Henderson), Amber Johnson (daughter of now former member Ann Johnson) George Black, Keith Talbert, Thelma Reeves (daughter of members Graham & Helen Reeves), Dominic Darkis, Tiffany Barker (daughter of member Charles Barker), Melissa Barker (daughter of Member, Ernest Henderson), Joyia Watson, DeJohn Britt, & Makalah Cunningham .

10. Deceased Members: Esther Teal, (charter member), Ivey (Shade) Pruitt, Pauline (Pouncil) Ford, Harry Tidwell, Jr.(charter member) & Maline (Wall) Tidwell, Maxine Pouncil, & Ivan Teal, O’Neil Peterson, Verlean Tidwell (charter member) and Shirley & DuWayne (Red) Hanson, Honorary members .

11. Current membership: We have 18 members 16 active and 2 charter members who have moved to Honorary status. After the 2004 event two members resigned and moved away. They are Ann Johnson who moved to Dallas and Thelma Noble who moved to Kansas City. In 2007, five new members joined: they are Donald & Vernatha (Lenon) Hill, Eugene Barker, Darnisha (Pouncil) Robinson, & Sandra Frisco. For 2010, Donald Hill and Sandra Frisco resigned as Joe Barker, Tiffany Barker, Lona Reeves and Joan Thornton joined. New in 2010—Satellite and Ambassador members: Satellites or non-local members help spread the word include Gail (Johnson) Shobe, Marilyn Seaberry Davis and DeEttra Crockett. High school students provide support as Ambassador members- Jovan Dunlap, Rianna Hutchison and LaShay Pouncil. We hve three new members as of August 2012, they are Aridan Johnson, Thelma (Reeves) & Daniel Manley.

12. Current officers are: president - Charles Barker, Sr., Vice president - Avana Pouncil, treasurer - Pearlene Barker, asst. treasurer -Graham Reeves, secretary - Helen Reeves, asst. secretary – Lona Reeves.

13. Homecoming themes: 1983 -Reach Out and Touch . . ., 1986 Hello . . .Again, 1989 - Let’s Do It Again, 1992 - Reflections, 1995 - Coming Home By Any Means Necessary, 1998-Home. . .Foundation For Our Future, 2001 - A Royal Welcome To Old Friends In The New Millennium, 2004 - We’re On Our Way Home, 2007 – It’s a Family Affair and 2010 – Circle of Love Family, Friends, Home

Independence Homecoming ®  Independence, KS 67301