Submitted PhotoThe family of A.B. and Elizabeth (Ellis) Martin gathers each year on or near June 10.

HAHIRA – A.B. and Elizabeth (Ellis) Martin were joined in holy matrimony on June 23, 1930 and together they had seven children.

The children were Betty, Robert “PeeWee,” Thomas “Buddy,” Hubert, Louise, Katherine and Patricia, according to information from the family. 

Elizabeth Martin’s birthday was June 10 and in observation of her birthday and anniversary each year all she wanted was to have her family around her. 

So once her children were grown and had children of their own it became a yearly tradition to come together at their home in Hahira to celebrate family. 

A.B. Martin passed in 1981 and Elizabeth Martin carried on the tradition of celebrating family for her birthday and anniversary until she passed in February 1995. 

In their honor, the family continues the tradition as a reunion on the closet Sunday to June 10 each year.

On Sunday, June 10, the family once again came together to celebrate. The reunion which is open to all family and friends of the Martin-Ellis clan boasted about 150 in attendance, according to family members. 

The eldest family member in attendance was Betty Alma Mixon, the first child of A.B. and Elizabeth Martin. The youngest was Caden Austin Pope at 16 months and he is in the fifth generation of the family.

“The family has suffered the great loss of Robert “PeeWee” Martin in 2018 and Louise Martin Cash in 2017, but are thankful that they could be there in spirit with their children and grandchildren in attendance,” according to family members. “There was a candlelight ceremony held for all of the family members that are no longer able to attend.”

After the candlelight ceremony, the attendees ate a pot luck meal together and spent time together reviewing the events of the year. There were giveaways for the children in attendance and the adults had names drawn for door prizes. 

“The family relishes in spending time with each other and was also glad to have in attendance some of the extended Ellis family members. 

“The family looks forward to many more years of being able to come together and celebrate.” 

The family has already begun planning the 2019 reunion at Reed Bingham State Park for June 1, 2019, and invites all Martin-Ellis family and friends to attend.