Early in 1981, Lottie M. Shoultz’s mind began to run on family ties, and as it did, there were so few facts she knew that it seemed like most of them were gone. She began to talk with the immediate family about a reunion, to which all consented.

They agreed that it would be more feasible to let it begin in the South, since most of the Phillips were in and around Augusta and Savannah, GA. They began to formulate plans for the first reunion by telephone. Jesse M. Phillips Hardy and Sallie K. Ansfield were asked to coordinate and host the reunion.

During the week of July 4, 1981, members traveled from Philadelphia, PA, and Sandusky, OH, to Augusta, GA, where they were greeted warmly. In attendance, there were 25 family members and friends who gathered at the community center, where they began giving glory to God.

The reunion was organized by selecting a chairperson, Lottie M. Shoultz, and a secretary, Alma Phillips Haggins. Plans were then made for 1982, at which time the reunion would be held in Savannah, GA, and would be hosted by Willie L. Phillips Williams. A brief program and echoes from the family were held. We enjoyed a very scrumptious meal that was prepared by the hostesses. Friday night we socialized in the hotel, and Saturday we were taken on a sightseeing tour. On Sunday, we worshipped with the Second Hopeful Baptist Church, where we were served dinner, then departed for home.

In July 1982, we traveled to Savannah, GA, where the reunion was hosted by Willie L. Phillips Williams. We were guests at the Ramada Inn.

During the 1981 and 1982 reunions, we were able to contact other members of our family, namely the Harper family. Willie M. Phillips and Lola Harper were first cousins. The Harper family was invited to the second reunion at the Ramada Inn. We met Lola Phillips Harper’s daughter, Carrie Brown, and her husband, David, and their sons. We were very happy to meet them on Friday afternoon. The hostess, Willie Lee, took us to Lake Mayer Park for a picnic, where we enjoyed a lovely afternoon and delicious food. Friday evening, we socialized in the hotel. On Saturday, we went sightseeing, and that evening we attended a lovely banquet at the Carey Hilliards Restaurant. There were approximately fifty in attendance. A beautiful program was planned, and an enjoyable meal was served. On Sunday morning we worshipped at Canaan’s Temple Baptist Church. Dinner was served in the church’s dining room. We then departed for our respective homes.

In response to our request, the Harper family would host the reunion for 1983 in St. Petersburg, FL. The family requested that the Harper name be affixed there, which was gladly accepted. This is how the Phillips-Harper family reunion got its beginning. In July 1983, the family met in St. Petersburg, where we were met and greeted by members of the Harper family. Friday afternoon, we went to the park, where we enjoyed a wonderful picnic. This is where we met many of our family members for the first time, and everyone was so lovely and kind. It was such a joy, a time, and memories that will forever be cherished.

At this point, we were no longer a small family. Since the 1983 reunion, it had grown and grown. Friday evening, we socialized. Saturday we toured the malls and made pop-in visits to some homes. Saturday evening, we enjoyed a most delightful banquet and program at the Best Western Hotel, and approximately 11 families were in attendance. Two prizes were given, one to the youngest and oldest present. Little Keisha Latimore won the youngest honoree, and Mr. Leo Shoultz was the oldest honoree. We had fun taking pictures. On Sunday morning, we worshipped with the Macedonia Freewill Baptist Church. After service, we were served a delicious dinner in the church dining room. As all good things must come to an end, we departed for our homes looking forward to 1984, when we would meet in Philadelphia, PA.

In 1984, we were the guests of the Best Western Hotel. There were families in attendance from Sandusky, OH; Augusta, GA; Savannah, GA; Charleston, SC; Atlanta, GA; New Jersey; and two busloads from Florida. Those in attendance numbered more than one hundred. Friday afternoon, we had a picnic in Fairmount Park with plenty of goodies to eat. Friday evening, we held the business meeting in the hotel while some members traveled to the Great Summer Resort of Atlantic City, New Jersey. In the business meeting, Mrs. Julia Latimore was elected secretary, and we chose Atlanta, GA, as the site of the 1985 reunion, with Dorothy Jenkins hosting. On Saturday, we went sightseeing, and that evening we enjoyed a banquet in the James A. Jones Social Hall at Hasley Temple. We also worshipped at Hasley Temple C.M.E. Church on Sunday morning. We were then served dinner in the dining room, after which we departed for home.

The first weekend in July 1985, we met at the Sheraton Hotel in Atlanta, GA, where the hostesses and committee greeted us. In the afternoon, we were bussed to the beautiful historic Stone Mountain Park, where we had a picnic. We met new members of the family: Phillips from Detroit and Atlanta, and new members from the Florida area. It was a really joyous picnic, with plenty of good food. On Saturday morning we were again bussed on a tour of Atlanta and its historic sights. Saturday evening, the banquet was held in the hotel with a well-planned program and delicious food. In attendance were more than 150 family members. A brief business meeting was held, and we voted that future reunions would be held every other year. The next reunion would convene in Charleston, SC, July 10 – 12, 1987, and would be hosted by Annie P. Major and the Charleston committee. On Sunday morning, we worshipped at Beulah Baptist Church, where we were served a delicious dinner, after which we greeted each other and departed for our homes. It is true, the more we work with anything, the better it gets. Atlanta set the standard high and hosted an outstanding reunion.

In Charleston, we stayed at the Radisson Hotel. We had a picnic at Palmetto Park in Mt. Pleasant, SC, and worshipped with Annie Pearl and her church family at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. The South Carolina family was given great hospitality.

In 1989, the reunion was held in Newark, New Jersey, and hosted by Phinazee Williams. We had a picnic at the home of our Aunt Hattie, and the food was wonderful. Her church family at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church made us feel welcomed and at home as we worshipped and enjoyed a delicious meal.

In 1991, the reunion was held in Miami, FL. This year’s theme was Roots of Love. The family enjoyed a beautiful cruise to the Bahamas. We thank Ms. Earnestine Bridges, daughter of Adella Davie, for her excellence in planning such a memorable reunion. July 9-11, 1993, we met in Detroit, MI, where our host, cousin George Phillips Jr. and his family chose the theme “Today, Tomorrow, & Forevermore.” This was most appropriate as our family continued to grow and the number of young people in attendance grew. One of the most memorable events at the reunion was visiting the Motown Museum and watching family members do their best impressions of Motown groups such as the Supremes. Despite knowing it was going to be a tough job, the family was invited to Savannah, GA, July 13-16, 1995, for the reunion. The Midtown Holiday Inn was the host hotel for the reunion. On Sunday, we worshipped at Connors Baptist Church. Special thanks go to Robert and Gladys Walker for their hospitality.

In 1997, the Reunion returned to St. Petersburg, FL. This time, Carrie Brown and her sister Julia Latimore hosted us. We enjoyed the beautiful beaches at Ft. Desoto, where we ate and enjoyed the sunshine. Afterward, we attended a beautiful banquet at the downtown Hilton, where the children took part in reciting poems and history. Lastly, we worshipped at the church home of Carrie Brown at 10th Street Church of God.

In 1999, Melvin Phillips, serving as president; Dorothy Jenkins, vice president; and members of the Atlanta family hosted and planned a beautiful reunion in Atlanta, GA. This year we celebrated “Moving into the New Millennium.” The family always has a great time in Atlanta, a city with great history and plenty to do.

In 2001, the reunion was held July 19-22nd in Miami, FL. Leslie Marshall and her family were gracious hosts. The reunion theme that year was titled “That was Then, this is Now.”

In 2003, our hosts were Leon and Gloria Jean Wright. After a long time coming, we finally went “Back to Our Roots” in Millen, GA. It was a great opportunity for the children to see the farmland and old houses filled with childhood memories. The picnic was grand. The park we attended spanned acres, and the food was never-ending.

In 2005, Aunt Annie Pearl Major and their family reminded us that “A Family That Prays Together Stays Together.” We had a beautiful time as we toured the city of Charleston, SC, by bus and fellowshipped with one another. We were given lots of beautiful memories at the banquet, such as family pictures and plaques to remember this time together. On Sunday, we worshipped at the church of Aunt Leslie Conyers, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where we were fed spiritually and physically.

In 2007, Mattie Green, daughter of Lola and Silas Harper, hosted the family reunion in Philadelphia, PA. The family stayed in the heart of Center City, where there was lots to see and do. The theme was “From These Roots from Many Branches.” The family worshipped together under the direction of Rev. Thomas Harper at the hotel.

In 2009, the family decided to do another cruise since we had such a great time previously and since we had convened the reunion in the hometown of almost every family member twice or more! A cruise was a wonderful way to fellowship with friends and family. Paul E. Harper III and his family planned a cruise to Freeport and Nassau, Bahamas, leaving out of the port in Jacksonville, FL. There was lots of food and dancing every day on the Carnival ship, Imagination!

In 2011, Michael Harper and his family hosted the reunion in Arlington, TX. Michael and his wife and two children did an excellent job. The family attended a baseball game at the Air Hogs Stadium and toured the city of Arlington. On Sunday, the word was ministered to us at the hotel by Minister Dennis Johnson of St. John Missionary Baptist Church.

In 2013, Keisha Latimore Lovett, Jamelle Latimore Dennis, and Julia Harper Latimore hosted the reunion in Orlando, FL. The three of them and their immediate family members did an outstanding job. The Breakfast Social and Holy Land Experience were highlights, as was the Family Banquet. Reverend Reginald Wayne Sharpe, Jr. set our hearts on fire in 2013, and we did it again at the 2015 reunion.

In 2015, the Phillips-Harper-Atlanta family hosted the reunion in Atlanta, GA. The theme was “Living and Loving in the ATL.” The weekend started on Thursday with a meet and greet in the Twelve Lounge in the hotel and a luncheon on Friday on the patio of the ballroom, “Phillips-Harper The ‘Phillips-Harper Oscars.'” An “All White” banquet was held on Saturday and culminated with a Sunday Brunch and One Hour of Power led by Rev Reginald W. Sharpe Jr.

In 2017, Andre & Felicia Wright and family hosted the reunion in the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado. The theme was “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”! The weekend began with a meet and greet. Friday, we boarded buses for a tour of Historic Denver and a shopping tour at Castle Rock. On Saturday, we had a dinner where we were asked to wear “jeans and jerseys” of our city’s pro teams. There was also a display of all the Family Reunion T-shirts from past reunions. We departed on Sunday and are looking forward to the next reunion in 2019.

In 2019, Marcia Wright hosted the Family Reunion in Cancun, Mexico. July 11-14. In 2021, due to a once-in-a-generation global pandemic caused by the coronavirus, the family did not convene for a reunion.  

Determined to rekindle the fire and keep the tradition going, here we are again in 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia, arms and hearts open to our family, inviting them to “Touchdown in ATL.”