WESTSIDE — The Payne Family celebrated Gravette Days with their annual three-day party, Aug. 10 through 12. Over 70 family members and friends attended.

Friday night, we met in Gentry at Delbert Payne’s and Jo Jackson’s house for a cookout and swim party. Lanny Garrett was again the “master griller.”

Saturday, we “Remembered Who Got Us Here” with our float in the parade dedicated to our parents, grandparents and greatgrandparents, John and Leota Payne. We were very thankful for the nicer weather on parade day. That evening, we met at Gallery Pizza for supper in Decatur.

Sunday, we met at the Gravette Civic Center for food, fun and games and our family auction. We had people from Oklahoma, Florida, Missouri, Texas, Illinois, Arizona and, of course, a few from Arkansas, including our newest family member, Miss Sophie Lee Payne, with sister Emily and parents Donnie and Marilyn from Bella Vista.

Our own grand marshals, from Grove, Okla., wereUncle Delbert O’Neal and May Baker, who always help Bill Payne drive the truck for the parade.

Sunday, we were able to visit via the Internet with Cade Mayer, who is serving in Afghanistan with the Air Force. We all missed him, especially his wife Nikki who was here from Phoenix, Ariz.

Randy and Edith Buckner, home from Chicago, Ill., didn’t want to miss this reunion as they will be in Afghanistan serving with the Army Reserve on our next reunion. They will be deployed by the end of this year. Our prayers are with them, Cade and all our troops. God bless you all.

We missed those of you who could not attend for various reasons. As always you are in our hearts and prayers till we see you again. We extend our deepest sympathy to the Bumstead family on their loss.

News, Pages 5 on 08/22/2012