FAMILY REUNION HISTORY
Lane-Wesley Family Reunion History
In July of 1846, Daniel L. Lane was in Alexandria, Louisiana. His Parents were born in slavery and it is not known if they were ever freed, Daniel was sent from Louisiana to a plantation in West Virginia, and his mother was sent to the same plantation from Maryland.
According to the 1900 United States Census, Daniels parents gave birth to eight (8) children. Daniel Lane (July1846), Alexander Lane (Feb.1863), Amy Lane-Bivens (June1863), Hayward Lane (Dec.1867), Henry Lane (Feb. 1875), Hattie Lane (June 1899), Charles Lane and Robert Lane (Births unknown).
Daniel Lane, an ordained preacher married Mary Davis of West Virginia. Together they had thirteen (13) children. Ten (boys) and three (3) girls. They are: Daniel Lane, Jr. (birth date unknown), Lawson Lane (birth date unknown), Dallas Lane (Birth date unknown), Charlie Lane (Aug. 1863), Emma Lane King-Wesley (Dec.1879), David Lane (June 1882), Robert Lane (Aug. 23, 1883), Amie Lane (May 1884), Eddie L. Lane (Jan. 1886), Hayward Lane (Aug.1888), Alonzo Lane (Feb. 1897), and Cecilia Lane (They say she was white, birth date unknown). The family lived in Stoneham, Texas in Grimes County.
Daniel initiated “Family Gatherings” in 1908 as a means of celebrating the family birthdays’ collectively, as well as celebrating the Juneteenth Holiday. In 1923, two of his children, Hayward and Emma (presumably) after Daniel’s death decided to rename the gathering as an “Annual Family Reunion” to be held each year on Labor Day Weekend.
The Reunions were held in Navasota, Texas on Cemetery Hill ( now called Bell Street)at the family home of Emma Wesley for approximately fifty-one years. It was decided in 1972 that the reunions would rotate. On even-numbered years, the families would gather in Navasota, Texas, and on odd-numbered years the families would gather in Beaumont, Texas at the home of Hayward Lane.
Beginning in 1973 and up until 1977, the Beaumont relatives held the Reunions at the home of Massey Lee Williams (Cousin to the Lame Family through their mother). Then in 1983, the reunions moved to the home of Percy Lane (a son of Hayward & Daisy Lane). There it remained until 1999.
In 1978, The Navasota families moved the Reunion from Bell Street on Cemetery Hill, to the August Horst Pavilion on Washington Avenue in Navasota, Texas, where it remained until 1994. Then the Family Reunion was moved to the Fireman’s Hall in Navasota, Texas. The 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004 Navasota reunions remained at the Fireman’s Hall.
In the years 2001, 2003, and 2005, the Beaumont Families started holding the reunions at the Long Shoreman’s local 21 on Pennsylvania Avenue in Beaumont, Texas.
Beginning in 2006, after the sale of the Fireman’s Hall, The Navasota families moved the Saturday Family (Meet & Greet, and Fun Day Activities to the home of Johnny D. and Lillian Wesley (son of Douglas & Johnny Mae Wesley); and the Sunday breakfast, church and dinner program to the KC Hall on Anderson Highway 90 in Anderson, TX.
In 2007 (99th) Reunion, The Beaumont Families held the (Meet & Greet) fun day activities at the home of Percy Lane, The son of Hayward Lane. They moved the Sunday Breakfast and Church Dinner to the Masonic Temple on South 5th Street in Beaumont, Texas. Fun and Food was enjoyed by all present.
In honor of the 2008 ( 100year) Centennial Anniversary celebration, the Navasota families hosted a special Memorial Tribute at the original home site on “Cemetery Hill.” 412 Bell Street, Navasota, Texas. After the ceremony, flower wreaths were placed on the gravesites of the original Host/Founders: Daniel Lane, and Emma Lane- King-Wesley. A flower Wreath was presented to the Lane Families to be placed on the gravesite of Hayward Lane. The Meet & Greet, family fun day activities were held at the August Horst Pavilion, where the reunions were held from 1978 to 1994. The Sunday breakfast and Dinner Program was held at the KC Hall on Anderson Highway 90. Church service was held at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, The church home of Emma Lane-King-Wesley and Joseph Wesley, The original founders.
The 2009 Lane/Wesley Reunion was hosted in Beaumont, Texas on September 5th-6th at the American Legion Hall # 817. The Reunion opened at 2:00pm with our first ever Blood Drive and Health Fair. During the Meet & Greet session, many fun games and activities were played by all, followed by a delicious supper. Sunday activities began with Breakfast from 7:30am – 10:00am. A church service was held on the premises with the Rev. Dante James (Son of Rev. Allen & Jackie James). Dinner was served at 2:00pm followed by a program with the following guest speakers: The County Commissioner of Prescient 4, the County Judge of Percent 6 (both family members), An Educator, and a City Council member. A great time was had by all.
The 2010 (102nd Wesley/Lane Reunion) was hosted in Navasota, Texas on September 4th-5th. The Meet/Greet and Fun Activities will be hosted at the home site of Johnny D. & Lillian Wesley. The Reunion will begin with a Brunch followed by recreation of a first ever
Baseball Game and many other fun activities, closing with an evening Supper. Sunday’s breakfast and Dinner program will be held at the K.C Hall on Anderson Highway 90. Worship service will be the church of your choice. (Missionary Camp Baptist, Lee Tabernacle Methodist, Mount Calvary Baptist and Truevine Baptist). After dinner a brief Reunion Program was held.
The 2011 (103rd Wesley/Lane Family Reunion) was hosted in Beaumont, Texas on Sept. 3rd and 4th At Central Park, known as “The Imagination Station.” 2925 Fannin Street, Beaumont Texas 77701. It provided our families with a new well-kept community center with playgrounds and plenty of wide open space for the children, and for our games. The theme for 2011 was “Remembering the past, building the Future.” The Saturday “Meet and Greet” activities provided great fun with games, music, and lots of great food. Sunday’s activities were also great. Although it rained steadily both days preventing most of the outside activities from taking place. The dinner was delicious. The families enjoyed one another, and everyone had a great time.
The 2012 (104th Wesley/Lane Family Reunion) was held in Navasota, Texas at the “Knights of Columbus Hall” on the Anderson Highway 90 on Saturday the 1st and 2nd of September. The reunion started with a “Meet & Greet at the home of Johnny D. and Lillian Wesley. Food was available all day, including lots of family fun which included Horse Shoe Toss, Cards, Checkers, Dominos, and music. Swings, slides, and a moon walk were available for the children. Sunday’s activities consisted of breakfast from 8:00am – 10:30am. Family worship 11:00am to 1:30am, from the church of your choice. The family program for the day consisted of an opening with scripture and prayer, followed by dinner and family events: 2012 graduates from high school and college, weddings, and we used the uniformed pictures to honor all of the Lane and Wesley veterans who have given service to our country. We also gave a tribute to the death of Percy Lane, our oldest male patriarch. And we recognized and gave gifts to the oldest family member and the farthest traveled.
The 2013 (105th Lane/Wesley Family Reunion) was held on Saturday, August 31st and Sept. 1st at the home of Mark and Ida Lane, 2175 Hebert Street (at Waco Street) from 4:00pm until. Sunday’s events were held at the Southeast Texas Resource Center at 2060 Irving Street (at Grant Street) from 9am to 5pm. The theme for 2013 was “Once a year from far and near, generations coming together.” The Tee Shirts for 2013 recognized all family members 75 years of age and older with their names printed on the shirts. There were 15 names. Everyone had great fun and the food was delicious.
The 2014 (106th Wesley/Lane Family Reunion) was held on August 30th and 31st Saturday and Sunday. The usual “Meet and Greet” was held on Saturday at the home of Johnny D. and Lillian Wesley with all the usual food, and games available. Sunday’s activities included Breakfast from 8:00am to 10:30am, church service of your choice from 11:00am to 1:30pm, followed by the program for the day. We recognized all families present, all graduates for 2014 (high school and college), births, weddings, deaths, the oldest living family members (Johnnie Mae Wesley. James Ella Subject, Jessie Mae Ewing). And the member who traveled the farthest.
(Jo Ann Wesley-Shaw). Our Theme for 2014 was: Our Family Together Forever, United in Love, United in Faith, and United in God!
The 2015 (107th) Lane/Wesley Family Reunion was held in Beaumont, Texas. The Reunion was held on Saturday, September 5th at the American Legion Local 22 ILA on 1915 Pennsylvania Avenue from 2:00pm to 10:00pm and on Sunday September 6th from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Fun, food, music and games were enjoyed by all on Saturday. Breakfast was served Sunday Morning. Those who wished attended a church service of their choice. After church, we were entertained with music, a very delicious dinner, and a short program, everyone had an enjoyable time. The Theme for 2015 was: “A Bridge for the Future, Built on the Foundation of Our Past,” How true and How beautiful.
The 2016 (108th) Family Reunion will be held in Navasota, Texas on September 3rd to September the 4th. Saturday’s events are held at the home of Johnny D and Lillian Wesley at 9926 County Road 415, Navasota, Texas from 9:00am until you drop. Sunday’s breakfast and dinner will be held at the “Knights of Columbus Hall” on the Anderson Highway 90, in Navasota, Texas. Our theme for 2016 is: Family Always, New Branches from Strong Roots!” We will recognize our oldest living members and all news about our graduates, new births, job promotions, and Family deaths. Our Oldest living Lane for 2016 is James Ella Lane-Subject. And our oldest living Wesley is Mrs. Johnnie Mae Martin-Wesley.
The 2017(109th) Reunion was held in Beaumont, Texas. For the first time in the Reunion history it was not held 0n the Labor Day Weekend due to inclement weather called Hurricane Harvey. This Hurricane caused widespread damage and severe flooding of homes, businesses, streets, and major freeways in Houston, Texas and some of the surrounding towns and cities of which Beaumont was affected. However, because we love our family and our yearly reunions, and want to keep it alive for our children, grandchildren and etc. The Beaumont Families scheduled the celebration for the 3rd and 4th days of November 2017. The Meet and Greet took place on Saturday at the home of Mark Lane, and the Sunday dinner was held at the Compro Events Center, 40155 W. Cardinal Drive on Sunday. There was fun fellowship and delicious food for all. It was well attended and the talent dance presented by James Ella Subject’s Grandson, Timothy Ray, the son of Tenika Raye was a show stopper and crowd pleaser for all. Our farthest traveled family member again was Mrs. Jo Ann Shaw of California, daughter of our oldest living Wesley family member, Mrs. Johnny Mae Wesley of Navasota, Texas, age 97. The Reunion was enjoyed by all.
The 2018 (110) Reunion was held in Navasota, Texas on September 1st and 2nd, Labor Day weekend at the home of Johnny D. Martin Wesley & Lillian Wesley. Breakfast will be available from 8:00 to 10:00 after which the usual fun activities will begin. Horseshoe pitching, Chess, dominoes, checkers, and card games for the adults, and Sack races, Egg & Spoon races, along with swings and slides for the children. For those who do not want to participate in any games, they may lounge, just observe, chitchat with friends or older family members or just enjoy each other’s company. Snacks and drinks are available all day for everyone. An evening Supper is prepared for all. Hospitality continues until everyone is ready to retire on their own. Sunday’s Dinner for this year (2018) for the first time since 2006 (12 years) will be held in a new location. The Carver Community Center (the old G.W. Carver Gymnasium). Breakfast is from 8:00 to 10:00am Church service from 11:00 to 1:00 then Dinner at 2:00 followed by the family program. This year we have lots of out of state family members, California, Kentucky, Maryland, and Oklahoma. The recognition of family members, and special family happenings ( births weddings, graduations, deaths, etc.) was acknowledged. We pray that the food, fun, music, and old memories were enjoyed by all.
The 2019 (111th) Reunion was held in Beaumont, Texas, at the Compro Events Center, at 40155 W. Cardinal Drive on Saturday and Sunday. There was fun, fellowship and delicious food for all. The T-Shirts were beautiful. The writing said, “Welcome to the Lane/Wesley Family Theater.” Popcorn and all movie treats were served at the theater. Sunday was really exciting. All elderly members were presented with an Emmy or Oscar Award. Everyone had a great time.
The 2020 (112th) Reunion to be held in Navasota, Texas was postponed due to the outbreak of the Covid 19 Pandemic. The 2021 (113th) Reunion will be held in Navasota, Texas. For the first time, this changes the yearly date for Navasota to host the Reunion to an uneven Numbered year 2021, and Beaumont will host on the even numbered year of 2022 due to the 2020 Covid 19 Pandemic when everyone had to isolate or quarantine at home. Saturday’s events are being held at the home of Johnny Wesley as usual and we will return back to the “Knights of Columbus Hall” on Anderson Highway 90. We are looking forward to every one having a great time. So come prepared to eat, drink, play games, listen to music, chitchat, and reminisce about old times and the new world happenings. Thank God that the Juneteenth became a National Holiday. We look forward to a successful Lane/Wesley Family Reunion.
Note: All names dates, and other information was retrieved from the United States Census, family, friends, neighbors, elderly family members through the years, and family photographs.