When and Where? August 7 th -10 th , 2008 Venues

1. Easley Family Reunion Newsletter – January 2008 • When and Where? • August 7th-10th, 2008 • Venues • Hotel – Crown Plaza Atlanta Perimeter, NW, Atlanta, GA • Note: To achieve the stated goals of the reunion, we are asking in-town as well as out-of-town guests to register and stay at this location. • Family Picnic – Sun Valley Beach • Activities include – Swimming ,tennis, horseshoes, volleyball, softball, miniature golf, spades tournaments, games, karaoke, talent show, etc. • Great Shopping and Site seeing only minutes away from hotel • Location. • ***Transportation to/from all venues will be provided for those out of town guests who do not have transportation!**** 204 days left till our celebration • $$$$ What will it cost me? $$$ • Reunion Fees: (includes banquet, picnic & T-shirt) • Adults $90 • Children – 10-17 $80 • Children – 3-9 $50 • **100% of Fees per attendee due 3/15/08 • Make Checks payable to: Easley Family Foundation • C/O Eugenia Thompson • 94 LaSalle Lane • Douglasville, GA 30134 • Hotel Fees: (30 room block reserved under Easley Family Reunion. Please mention when making reservations. Book NOW to secure rates below. Your card will not be charged until you check in.) • King or Double - $89.00 + 14% tax • (3 nights -$304.38) • *Executive King - $94.00 + tax • ( 3 nights is $321.48) * Includes microwave, • refrigerator and pull out sofa. • ***4 person maximum occupancy per room*** • To reserve rooms call: Crowne Plaza Perimeter, NW @ (770) 955-1700 or (800) 227-6963. Show me the Money! Reunion ItineraryThursday, Aug 7th Registration 3:00 pm – 9:00 p.m.Thursday, Aug 7th Meet & Greet 7:00 pm – 11:00 p. m. Game Night Friday, Aug 8th Family Picnic 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 pm Karaoke/ Talent Career exhibition Saturday, Aug 9th Free time all day till 5:00 pm Shopping/Site SeeingSaturday, Aug 9th Family Tribute 6:00 pm-7:00 pmSaturday, Aug 9th Family Banquet 7:00 pm - 9:30 pmSaturday, Aug 9th Family Social 9:30 pm – 12:00 pmSunday, Aug 10th Morning Service 8:30 am – 10:30 amSunday, Aug 10th Checkout 12:00 pm 30 20 10 19 Hear Ye! Announcements Janae Mullen, a senior at Lackawanna HS, has been accepted to D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY to study in their Nurse Practitioner program. The program committee is asking for those interested in singing in the choir for Sunday service and the Family banquet to contact Donald Thomas. Those of you interested in displaying your creative talent at Karaoke or for the talent show please notify William Eugene or Eugenia. Visit the family website @ www.easleyfamily.myevents.com Post pictures, share childhood stories and remembrances of your parents, grandparents, brothers/sisters, cousins, uncles and aunts. Share your ideas for reunion activities. We WANT ideas! Receive weekly updates and information on progress of the reunion committees. Join one if you’d like! We need the help! **REMINDER** REUNION Full Payment BY March15TH! To announce a significant event in your or a loved ones life, contact William Thomas at the number or email address located in the contacts section..

2. Personal Profile – Richard E. Easley – 1898 – 1971 Richard Eugene Easley was born on August 12, 1898, in Halifax, Virginia. He was the son of Munroe and Mary Easley. A domestic servant and homemaker who bore 7 children to this union; Pearl, Almedy, Mary, Robert, William (Dan)and Alrie (Norfleet). Richard Eugene was the youngest. Richard was a man of great character who believed that education, property ownership and hard work were the keys for economic power and self-determination. His conversation usually pertained to these subjects. He often quoted that once education and knowledge had been achieved it was “something that can’t be taken away unless they cut your head off.” Many people remember him as a man who spoke with a purpose. He was a leader and represented the interests of the people in any avenues of life. He was affiliated with the NAACP and started 2 political organizations. The Colored Peoples Civic and Political Organization. Their mission was to represent the interests of people of color in the political landscape in the City of Lackawanna. He was one of two African Americans instrumental in the development of Baker Homes, a low-income project in the first ward of Lackawanna. He also co-founded the Kennedy Parks Home Association, to advance the economic development and home ownership of African Americans and to build low income housing in the 3rd Ward of the city of Lackawanna. A man of great faith having been known to value God and family and was a deacon and trustee of the First Baptist Church in Lackawanna. He was a Mason of the highest degree, an Odd Fella and a member of the Elk Lodge. He participated in a local softball league for recreation and maintained a garden as one of his outlets and hobbies after his retirement from the Bethlehem Steel Plant where he was involved in labor issues as an outspoken officer for the steel workers union. To honor his memory and memorialize his commitment to education, The Richard E. Easley Educational Day was instituted in his honor. An educational stipend was awarded to any student seeking higher education. Richard E. Passed away in February 1971 at the age of 72 Personal Profile – Ida Mae Street Easley - 1900 - 1979 On August 14, 1900 in Meherrin, Va., Ida Mae Street was born to Nellie and Johnnie Street. She was the youngest of five children. In addition to her biological siblings, Annie Louise, Johnnie Jr., Willie and Frederick she also had 3 step brothers, Hazel, Everette and Jones (Luke) that were born to Johnnie’s 1st wife, Janie. Ida married Richard E. Easley and they relocated to Lackawanna, NY in 1929. To this union 17 children were born: 8 girls and 8 boys which included a set of unnamed twins that passed at birth and possibly 1 unnamed child whose age and gender is not known nor could be determined from recorded history., Ida helped to raise 23 foster children and many other children who looked up to her and affectionately called her Mother. In 1967 Richard & Ida renewed their vows and celebrated 50 years of marriage with an elaborate celebration that included their children and spouses as bridesmaids and groomsmen. A very devout and spiritual woman, she loved the Lord and served as the chairperson of the Deaconess board and was a faithful member of the Missionary Society. She was also named as the Mother of the Church at first Baptist Church and held this title until her passing. She also served as a member and chairperson of the Arts & Crafts Committee of the Woman’s auxiliary to the Great Lakes Baptist Association. Her favorite hymn was “Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour.” On a typical Sunday she could be seen praising the Lord in the first seat of the 2nd pew. Socially, she was a member of the First Ward Senior Citizens, an honorary member of the Star of Faith Chapter NO. 20, O.E.S. and the Order of Moses Sempher Fidelis NO. 568. She was also involved in the NAACP, Colored Peoples Civic and Political Organization Inc. and the Kennedy Parks Homes Association. Ida Mae was known for her cooking and could bake a mean Fruit cake and Nut cake. She loved to cook and entertain. After morning service you could usually find her house filled with family and friends fellowshipping after morning service. She also enjoyed sewing. A hobby she passed on to her daughters who are still to this day fine seamstresses. Ida Mae Street Easley passed away at the age of 79 in January 1980 after a long illness. In her obituary it reflects on her life and states “Her deeds stand out like diamonds that brightly gleam, one who lived a peaceful and useful life, always ready and willing to help anyone in any way she could.” Her motto was, “Others Lord, Yes others and none of self for me. Help me live for others, that I may live like thee.” This epitomizes her belief in God first others next and selflessly herself last. As descendants of this godly woman, we are truly blessed. • Did you Know? • Richard and Ida were both the youngest children of their birth Mother. • The 14 named children born to Richard & Ida, in order of birth, are as follows: Eugenia, Marcus, Ida, Richard Jr., Florine, Mary, Helen, James & John (twins), Archibald, Esther, Rosalie, Joseph and Pearl. • Did you know that Richard E. planned to return to Africa with Marcus Garvey? Had his migration plan been successful, we could all have been born in Africa and current residents of Liberia. Family Fun Facts - Nicknames “Bam” “Pappy” “Man Man” “Hedge Hog” “Jamesieboy” “Bon Bon” “Puter” “Meechie” “Big J” “Ya Ya” “Evelena” “Wee” “NaNa” “Gennie” “Tweety Bird” ****Send us your nicknames to publish in for our next newsletter!!! **** Happy Birthday Match these nicknames to family members and you could win a prize! Contacts Reunion Coordinator William E. Thomas (Mary) – (678)618-4803 Email: thomaswilliame@bellsouth.net Events Coordinator Eugenia Thompson (Eugenia) – (770) 827-8477 Communications/Website Coordinator Ronald (Bam) Thomas - (202) 288-5257 E-mail: Ronald.Thomas3@va.gov Family Liaisons LaTashia Martin - (716) 316-7335 (Buffalo) Michelle Easley - (703) 266-2621 (Virginia) Donald Thomas - ( 716) 895-9884 (Buffalo) Sheila Johnson – ( 716) 835-6639 (Buffalo) Willie Riggins – (786) 457-4327 (Minnesota) To have your birthday published, please provide your information to William Thomas @thomaswilliame@bellsouth.net or (678)618-4803. Key Dates: March 15, 2008 – Reunion Balance Due July 8, 2008 – Last date to get discount room rate Understanding the facts and information contained in this newsletter could win you a fabulous prize at the reunion. Knowledge is power!