The 2004 Copes Family Reunion was held on Saturday, June 5 at the fire station in Pioneer, Louisiana. There were sixty or seventy people in attendance with a surprising number of children in the mix. In fact, somebody asked, "Where are all the old people?" We did have a few senior citizens. Thomas Copes got the prize for the oldest male Copes in attendance. He is 82. My mother also got a prize at 84.

Several notable things occurred this year. The most exciting for me was the presentation by the Annie Mae Copes Watkins' family of the original back cover off the old family bible to the reunion organization. This cover, which had been separated from the old bible for longer than anybody can remember, contained the only family history information that we had from our Gretton and Cope ancestors in England. I apologize for getting so emotional but I hope that I somehow conveyed what a selfless act this was on the part of the Watkins girls in behalf of the whole Francis Gritton Copes family. Now all we have to do is get the bible restored so our descendants can treasure it for another 200 years.

While we are on the subject of Annie Mae's family, her great-grandson, David Cooper, was in attendance from Korea. He naturally got the gift for the one who traveled the farthest to come to the reunion. He is in the army, currently stationed in South Korea but expecting to be sent to Iraq in a few months. Keep him in your prayers.

We had several first-timers this year. Lonnie L. Copes and his wife, DeEtte, joined us. Lonnie is the son of Ben Copes and the grandson of William P. Copes. He lives just west of Warden and worked, I believe, for the phone company. We are always happy to find some "new" Copeses!

Clayton Copes attended again this year (this makes two in a row) and brought his two daughters and six of his grandchildren. Thanks for coming and representing Uncle Charlie's family. Also attending from Uncle Charlie's family was Frances Copes Williamson's grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have been faithful participants over the years. And several members of Marie Copes Bush's family were in attendance. Laura Bush Merritt and her husband from South Carolina were there and Laura's nephew, Berl Alvin "Tiger" Bush, Jr. was another first-time participant. Tiger is in law enforcement down in South Louisiana somewhere.

Uncle Tom's family was well represented this year. All of Joseph Copes' living children (Thomas, Ottis, Greenlee and Cloie), three of Lynette's children and several of her grandchildren attended. Thomas Copes' daughter, Debra, from the Dallas area attended again this year. E. H. "Junior" Johnson, Lynette's son, promised to help me get the reunion bank account straightened out so I won't be "misplacing" reunion funds in the future.

Uncle Fred's family was a little sparce this time. We appreciated having Ernest and Janie, Mattie, Christine, Duane and Freddie along with some of Christine's family. But we missed the McGahas, Bristers, Bishops, Pickerings, Kemps, Osbons, etc., etc. I don't know how we could have made the whole lot of them mad at us.

Thanks to Isaac and Lillie Mae Copes Crain for attending and representing Uncle Henry's family. Next year Ike is going to bring his mandolin and we are going to have a jam session after the reunion. Bring your instruments and join us.

Thanks to Charley and Juanita for helping me represent the John H. Copes family. I especially want to thank my wife, children and grandchildren for attending and participating in the reunion. Their support has been invaluable in keeping this reunion going over the years. Of course, my two-week old granddaughter, Sarah, was the most beautiful one there. Erline Vickery's four little blue-eyed, blonde granddaughters made for some tough competition though.

I hope to see you all next year, same time, same place.

John Vernon