The Rogers-Eadie Family Reunion began in 1978, when Cousin Joseph Nathan Rogers, along with his siblings Annie, Cecil, Henrietta, and Garfield, envisioned a way to unite the descendants of Charles and Henrietta Eadie Rogers. What began as a one-day gathering at Cross High School in Cross, South Carolina quickly grew into a cherished tradition grounded in faith, family, and fellowship. The day was filled with songs of praise, words of wisdom, and home-cooked meals lovingly prepared by cousins who often spent all day Friday preparing for Saturday’s celebration.
As the years passed, the reunion expanded to include nieces, nephews, and extended family from Henrietta Eadie Rogers’ lineage. This growth brought together the descendants of her siblings — Thomas Eadie, Robert Eadie, James Eadie, Hester Eadie Bennett, Susan Eadie Johnson, Dora Eadie Jefferson, Noah Eadie, and Elizabeth Eadie Simmons. With this expansion, the gathering became known as the Rogers-Eadie Family Reunion, reflecting the unity of both family lines.
What began as a single-day event evolved into a meaningful three-day celebration, featuring Friday “Get Acquainted” gatherings, Saturday picnics and activities, and Sunday worship services. Over the years, reunions were held in Cross, Moncks Corner, and Santee, South Carolina. For nearly 30 years, the reunion remained rooted in South Carolina, honoring the family’s origins and strengthening generational bonds.
As time went on, Nathan Rogers recognized that while the tradition was strong, the family itself had grown and spread across the country. He realized that reaching family members beyond the South would help preserve and strengthen the reunion for future generations.
In 2008, that realization took shape when Sheila Bowen reached out to Nathan Rogers with the idea of organizing a Northern reunion. Her outreach marked a pivotal moment in the family’s history
. Later that year, in December 2008, family members gathered on Stirling Avenue in Orange, New Jersey, coming together with unity, purpose, and love to plan what would become the first Northern Rogers-Eadie Family Reunion.
From that meeting, the original Northern Rogers-Eadie Reunion Committee was formed — family members who stepped forward with dedication and heart to expand the legacy while honoring its Southern foundation. The original committee members included:
Tragically, Nathan Rogers passed away in 2009, before witnessing the full impact of the Northern reunion he helped inspire. However, his vision stood strong. The first Northern Rogers-Eadie Reunion welcomed more than 250 family members, filling the gathering with a powerful presence of love, connection, and unity.
In the years that followed, the family continued to gather beyond South Carolina, including reunions in Atlantic City (2010), Philadelphia (2014), and Washington, DC (2018). Each gathering added new chapters to the family story, reinforcing the bonds that began in 1978 and continue to flourish today.
From South Carolina roots to Northern expansion, the Rogers-Eadie Family Reunion remains a living legacy — one built on vision, carried forward through love, and strengthened with every generation that gathers.