There was a group of about 70 people who celebrated the Hayden, Davenport, Jackson Family Fun Day on Friday, Nov. 23, at the Forest City Clubhouse in Forest City, North Carolina. 

The family group has roots in Polk County, beginning in the 1800s. The family group is connected through Della Hayden Davenport Jackson, a former educator in Polk County and the founder of the Stony Knoll Community Library. 

At the Family Fun Day a presentation was given on Della, the family’s most well-known member who lived in Polk County. 

Other presentations were given on the patriarchs of the family who were born in the 1800s and the early 1900s. They were Robert Hayden, born in the mid 1800s; Walter Jackson, born in the mid 1800s; and George Franklin Davenport, born in 1904. 

In addition to hearing the presentations, the family had a big dinner, played the Family Feud Game, danced to songs called the “Electric Slide” and the “Cupid Shuffle,” which were line dances, as well as danced to other songs.  Attendees also conversed with each other to catch up on the latest family news.

The chairperson of the Family Fun Day was Mae Carolyn Jackson Williams, with a committee of 18 relatives. The participants on the program were as follows: mistress of ceremonies was Tiffany Williams Jennings; the welcome was given by Robert Edward Petty; the prayer and grace was given by Carver Jackson; and the occasion was given by Mae Carolyn Jackson Williams. 

All family members present gave expressions of thanksgiving. A duet was sung by Barbara McClure Cummings and Linda McClure Jackson.

The presentations on the family patriarchs were given by Evelyn Davenport Petty, Sandra Petty Forney and Lena Jackson. The presentation on Mrs. Della Hayden Davenport Jackson was given by Dennis Gray.

A solo was sung by Wanda Jackson. The Family Feud Host was Joseph Patrick Williams, with Nia Williams as the maker of the sound effects.

The DJ was Dennis Gray. 

So that the day ran smoothly, many relatives had additional responsibilities for the Family Fun Day.

Takijah Petty helped secure the clubhouse and made sure that the door was unlocked for the event. Robert Edward Petty, Malcolm Gray and the Jackson family men set up the tables and chairs in the clubhouse for the event.

Tiffany Jennings and Patrick Williams picked up the food from the caterers. Sirvinuel Petty and her team of volunteers made sure that the food buffet was prepared and the food was served. 

Robert Forney and his team and many other volunteers saw that the clubhouse was cleaned after the event. The photographers, who were Rodger Jackson, Gerald Petty, Tiffany Jennings and Patrick Williams, took pictures of all that happened at the event. 

Everyone had a great time at the Family Fun Day, organizers said.

– Submitted by Mae Carolyn Jackson Williams