Someone suggested that a newsletter be published in order to coordinate the research of several people. Ruth Stultz agreed to publish a quarterly newsletter and the first issue, simply called Hooks Newsletter, was published in January 1980. It contained an article by Thomas Hooks, a book review of Coy's book, information about some of the relatives of Thomas Hooks, potpourri and queries.
By the second issue, articles by Coy Johnston and Faye Claiborne had been added. Thomas Hooks was helping as co-publisher.
The third issue contained a name change. It was now called The Hooks Newsletter - Hooks History 'n Happenings.
The fourth issue contained another name change. It was now Hooks Family Chronicles - Histories and Happenings - A Newsletter. Mary Ruth Stultz was editor, Helen Smith was indexer, Thomas Hooks was publisher, and Coy Johnston, Faye Claiborne and Thomas Hooks were regular contributors.
The newsletter continued to grow and in 1983 there was talk about having a Hooks reunion. Queries were sent out. Who would do the work? Where could it be? It was decided that the first reunion would be at Goldsboro, North Carolina. Cleo Giza, Beth Hooks, and Judith Dorsey would do the work. The first reunion would be June 9, 1984.
At the first reunion, in 1984, a committee was formed. Joe Hooks was chairman, Oakley Seaver, Beth Hooks, Cleo Giza, Clyde Hooks, Clarence H. Hooks, Lillian Hooks, Arnold S. Hooks, Thomas Hooks, Harriet Ramey, Helen Smith, and Ruth Stultz would make up a committee. It was decided that the next reunion would also be at Goldsboro.
At the second reunion, in 1985, Helen Smith was elected chairman and Spurgeon Terry was elected treasurer. The next reunion would be held at Raleigh, North Carolina.
At the third reunion, in 1986, Gerry Hill was elected president, Clyde Hooks vice president, Helen Smith treasurer and family charts, Spurgeon Terry hospitality, and Ruth Stultz archivist/historian. The fourth reunion would be at Atlanta, Georgia. Dues were established at $5.00 a year, payable to the treasurer.
At the fourth reunion, in 1987, Oakley Seaver was announced as being the next president/reunion coordinator. Fran Boberg was to be the next treasurer. The next reunion would be at Orlando, Florida.
At the fifth reunion, in 1988, Arnold Hooks was announced as being the next coordinator. The next reunion would be at Montgomery, Alabama.
At the sixth reunion, in 1989, Helen Smith agreed to be the coordinator for the next reunion, to be held at Raleigh, North Carolina.
Due to a lack of subscribers, the Hooks Family Chronicles ended with the fourth issue of 1989.
At the seventh reunion, in 1990, Evelyn Clifton agreed to be the next coordinator, with the reunion being at Macon, Georgia.
At the eighth reunion, in 1991, someone thought the reunions were being held too often. A motion was made and passed that the reunions be held biannually. The next coordinator would be Clarence Hooks with the reunion being at Chattanooga, Tennessee.
At the ninth reunion, in 1993, Clyde Hooks was appointed coordinator for the next reunion, to be held at Augusta, Georgia.
At the tenth reunion, in 1995, a motion was made and passed to change the reunions back to being annually. The next reunion would be held at Raleigh, North Carolina. Ruth Stultz, chairman; Clyde Hooks, treasurer; Judy Dorsey, Elizabeth "Beth" Hooks, Betty Lee, David Ingram, and Helen Smith, committee.
In the Fall of 1995, Ruth Stultz agreed to try publishing the Hooks Family Chronicles again, semiannually.
At the eleventh reunion, in 1996, Ben Hooks was named coordinator for the next year's reunion, with Clyde Hooks remaining as treasurer. The reunion would be at Hooks, Texas.
At the twelfth reunion, in 1997, Peggy DeLaVergne and Louise Hooks were named joint coordinators, with Clyde Hooks remaining as treasurer. The next reunion would be at Magnolia, Arkansas.
At the end of 1997, Ruth Stultz was forced to cease publishing the Hooks Family Chronicle. Not only did she have very few paying subscribers, but her health had gotten bad.
At the thirteenth reunion, in 1998, Peggy DeLaVergne, not being able to defend herself, was appointed coordinator with the next reunion to be held in the Washington, D.C., area. Clyde Hooks remained as treasurer. Before the reunion could take place, because of bad health, Peggy was forced to turn over the coordination to Clyde Hooks. The reunion would be at Manassas, Virginia.
In 1999, a new newsletter was started by Faye Dyess, called Hooks Herald. It's a quarterly. If enough people will support it, perhaps it will survive.
At the fourteenth reunion, in 1999, no one would agree to be the next coordinator. Clyde Hooks agreed to keep it one more year, with the 2000 reunion being at Macon, Georgia.
At the fifteenth reunion, in 2000, Nancy (Brooks) Campbell agreed to be the coordinator for the 2001 reunion, to be held at Eufaula, Alabama. Carolyn (Beeler) Smart agreed to be the coordinator for the 2002 reunion, to be held at Huntsville, Alabama. Clyde Hooks agreed to help and still be the treasurer.
The sixteenth reunion, in 2001, at Eufaula, Ala., was great. Carolyn Smart had already agreed to be the coordinator for 2002. Clyde Hooks was kept on as treasurer. A volunteer is needed for the 2003 reunion.
At the present time there is only a weak organization. There is a coordinator, who tries to get things together for the next reunion; and a treasurer, who keeps the money. There are no dues. The organization survives on donations and book sales.
Respectfully submitted, Clyde Hooks Back to Hooks Page