FAMILY GENALOGY

Our lineage traces back to our Great Grandfather Andy Ivy, born in May 1848 and passed away on June 8, 1930, at the age of 82. He was a descendant of Ireland and resided in Mississippi, where he was born into slavery alongside his siblings Francis Ward and Dock Henderson. Andy's father was a white slave owner, while his mother's name remains unknown.

Andy entered into matrimony three times. His first marriage was to Violet Carothers on August 4, 1867, from which nine children were born: Mary, Will A., Andrew, Cordia, Jale, Fonza, Ben, Jim, and Ann Ivy. Unfortunately, Violet passed away between 1880 and 1881. Andy then remarried, this time to Diley Rodgers, on December 7, 1881, resulting in another nine children: Maggie, Irene, Drew, Dock, Toy, Sarah, Silas, Judge, and Peggy Ivy. Toy Ivy, the 14th child born in 1889, met her demise due to bleeding. In total, Andy had 26 siblings.

For his third marriage, Andy wed Lavada Pegues in June 1901, and they had nine children: Barley, Ollie, Ida, Leroy, Corrine, Doyle, Bertha, Gladys, and Peale Ivy. Toy Ivy, a devoted father and progressive farmer, later married Estelle Love on January 13, 1910, in Denmark, Lafayette County, Mississippi. Together, they bore 12 children. Numerous descendants followed through the generations, with many great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Toy passed away in January 1977, followed by his spouse Estelle in July 1977.

The tradition of the family reunion began over 72 years ago, with celebrations held on the Fourth of July at the home of Toy and Estelle Ivy in Denmark, Lafayette County, Mississippi.

These gatherings involved swimming and fishing in the pond, followed by cleaning and cooking the catch in an old black pot. When the pond's water level receded, family members engaged in "sanding" and "clubbing" to procure fish.

John Ivy Sr. took on the role of Chairman of the reunion in 1977, following his mother Estelle's directive to maintain family unity. Under his leadership,

reunions were hosted in Chicago and Robbins, Illinois. Bernie Wortham assumed the Chairmanship in 1997, holding the position for a decade.

Over the years, reunions have been held in Lexington, Kentucky; Chicago, Illinois; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Atlanta, Georgia.

Bernie aimed to pass on this responsibility to future generations to ensure the continuity of the reunion tradition.

Thus, the Ivy family legacy continues to thrive through the bonds of kinship and the cherished tradition of reunion gatherings.