The Spence Family Reunion has been going on for decades. Photo albums along the banquet tables show my mom as a kid back when the reunions were outside at a park canopy. After taking an interested in photography in college, my Mamaw asked me to take over as our documentarian.
As a kid, I grew up running around the hills of East Tennessee with dirty feet, full of gossip. By the time we moved away when I was 14, my life was already full of friends, ex-boyfriends, and family. Still tied to home by these family reunions, this photo series is an ongoing project that self indulgently explores my family and feeling of home in Appalachia.
“Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”
– Dolly Parton
Summer 2017.
July 29, 2017 – My last family reunion before moving to Florida at the start of high school. My little siblings and cousin play in the creek at our local park during the reunion with Johnny – my Mamaw’s husband. This is the last reunion I remember at the park before moving to American Legion Post 104.
Summer 2022.
Summer 2023.
March 2024.
Lexi Kessens eats a hamburger for dinner while doing impressions – her roommate Colleen Thurman films and laughs. Lexi has always been a comedian and became known for her stand-up routines at the yearly Catlettsburg Elementary Talent Show.
Andrew McAninch pets Hermes after waking up on Lexi’s couch. The night before, he’d spent the night drinking with Lexi and me and talking about how life has changed since 2017.
Ann Edelman and Lindsay Buxton sit in Edelman’s car outside Buxton’s apartment talking about Buxton’s boyfriend. We all went to the Boys and Girls Club as kids.
Andrew Edelman – Ann’s younger brother sitting at their kitchen counter after dinner.
Lindsay left before dinner to hang out with her boyfriend at Walmart. She called Ann asking if we wanted to meet up with them.
Lindsay and her boyfriend smiling outside Walmart. The two started dating only a few weeks before. They’ve since broken up.
Abigayle Chapman laughs while sitting outside the Neighborhood Beer House after her bartending shift. Abby was part of Lexi and I’s junior high friend group. The three of us bonded over bullies from a young age.
Three Sevier County Schools students wait outside the King Family Library down the street from the junior high waiting to be picked up. Making trouble outside the library is a local childhood tradition. Ann and I would walk here from the Boys and Girls Club.
March 2024 cont.
Papaw sits in his room at Beverly Park Place Health and Rehab tired after adjusting his position in bed. While getting ready to preach in 2016, Papaw survived a brain aneurysm. This was my first time visiting him alone. We talked a lot about Facebook and how he was feeling that day.
Buc-ee’s shoppers fill up their drink cups at the ICEE station. The gas station is a new tourist attraction right off the Sevierville exit coming from Knoxville.
Texas Roadhouse is one of my favorite restaurants. Mamaw and Johnny always take me when I’m in town. Johnny and I love sharing the cinnamon butter rolls.
Johnny watching YouTube in the living room at home after lunch while Mamaw quickly stepped into the kitchen.
A new house stands where my Mom grew up with Mamaw, Mary, and James. The original home was built in the 70s and was demolished after Mamaw moved to a new house when I was a little kid.
Mamaw holds a grocery bag of things to throw away while cleaning up her Mom Bobbie Jean’s house. She’s been cleaning the clutter and helping Bobbie Jean for as long as I remember.
Mamaw and her mom go through various bits and bobs laid out on a scale on Bobbie Jean’s lap that Mamaw found while cleaning.
Part of the cleaning process is always checking the fridge. Bobbie Jean holds on to food and lots of little things because she remembers a time when she had very little. She says it’s important to have things in case you need them.
Johnny and my momma walk to the car from Bobbie Jean’s house. Everyone laughs around Johnny – he’s the jokester of the family.
My mom visits Tennessee with my little brothers during Spring and Summer breaks so they can visit my father.
We noticed limited edition Dragon Ball Z Reese’s Puffs at Kroger – a favorite anime of my siblings and mom’s boyfriend Keefe.
My youngest sibling Connor navigates a color-changing mirror maze at MagiQuest. Between visits with my dad, we try to visit family and do fun things around town. Since moving out and going to college, these breaks have been some of my favorite memories.
While hiking the Chimney Tops Trail, the inclines kicked our butts. We had to take breaks before big sections.
All my siblings – Connor, Isaiah, and Ethan – sit bored on Naomi’s couch. There is no phone service at Naomi’s.
My Mom sits beside them listening to Naomi – my momma’s aunt. Naomi is the oldest of my Papaw’s siblings and has always taken care of everyone. She always has something to chat about – just like Mamaw.
Summer 2024.
July 28, 2024 – Our most recent reunion.
My mamaw continues to organize the reunion each year. My momma and Aunt Mary have followed in her footsteps. We always show up early and make sure there’s enough food for everyone to eat.
I hope one day these photos will be in the albums amongst the family reunion tables as my kids flip through the pages.
Summer 2025. [updated]
“Family Photos”
© Madi Koesler