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Officers, Trustees, Committees Officers are elected for two-year terms. Trustees serve three-year terms. Committee Chairs are appointed by the President. The Executive Committee is composed of all current officers, trustees, and committee chairs. |
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President: Frank Swayze Captain, Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Navy (Retired). Frank is a direct descendant of Judge Samuel Swayze through his son, Israel Swayze, a brother of Richard Swayze and the Rev. Samuel Swayze. Currently living in San Diego, Frank enjoys traveling nationally and internationally. His big time-consumer is collecting vintage radio programs since 1965. He's catalogued over 7,000, but that doesn't really scratch the surface. The probable highlight of the collection at this point is 1 1/2 hours of NBC's coverage of Lindbergh's arrival back in the US from his 1927 trans-Atlantic flight, in incredible sound considering. It features Pres. Coolidge presenting him an award, and his address to the National Press. |
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Executive Vice President: Floyd Boyett
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Vice
President--Genealogy: Polly Tarver Scott Polly is a native of Natchez, Mississippi, and a descendant of the Swayze and King lines. A graduate of William Carey College with a BA in English, she taught English for 30 years and has retired along with her husband, Bobby C. Scott, near where her ancestors lived. Her many accomplishments include: a listing in the "Who's Who in American High School Teachers"; member of Natchez Parkway Baptist Church, Natchez Chapter DAR, Gov. George Harlan Colonial Dames XVII Century, First Families of MS, Natchez Heritage Society, MS Caledonian Society, Magnes Charta Dames, and has served in her current capacity for the DJS since 1987. Lives in Adams County, MS. |
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Vice-President--Programs and
Co-Chaplain: Ella McCaleb Young Ella is one of a few people living who attended the first meeting in 1940 of what became known as the Jersey Settlers. Ella descends through the Swayze and King lines with allied lines of Dougherty and Sojourner. One of Ella's ancestors on her paternal lines was instrumental in building the first Presbyterian Church in the territory, Pine Ridge Church. Lives in Adams County, MS. |
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Vice President--Publicity: Karen O'Neal
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Vice
President--Social: Bobbye Drane |
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Co-Vice President--Social: Hayward Drane
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Recording Secretary: Nancy Todd Nancy is Professor Emerita of Eastern Washington University where she directed graduate students and managed a USAID faculty exchange grant with the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, where she traveled many times. Nancy enjoys Civil War re-enacting. She is also compiling a DJS membership directory in preparation for the 75th anniversary assembly. Nancy descends through Rev. Samuel Swayze's son James Swayze's daughter, Rebecca Malinda Swayze, who traveled with her family on the Oregon Trail in 1847 from Iowa to the now Portland area of the Oregon Territory. There are many, of Rebecca's descendants in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. Nancy resides in Washington state. |
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Treasurer: Gary O'Neal
Descends from Judge Samuel Swayze's son, Richard Swayze, whom he portrayed in costume at the 2011 reunion. Lives in Adams County, MS. |
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Co-Chaplain: Dan Tarver
Dan is descended from the Swayze and King lines, along with sister Polly and brother George. He is a salesman and maintenance supervisor for a wholesale meat company. He attends New Testament Fellowship Church. He was a deacon for over 25 years, also serving as Sunday School Superintendent and Sunday School teacher part of that time. He has an authentic costume and has done programs as Rev. Samuel Swayze for the Jersey Settlers and several DAR and Colonial Dames Chapters, sometimes with Bobby Scott (his brother-in-law) playing Richard Swayze. He and his wife Alice served as co-chaplain for several years. Lives in Adams County, MS. |
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George Tarver, Chair George, brother to Polly Tarver Scott and Dan, is a native of Natchez, Mississippi, and a descendant of the Swayze and King lines. He served in the Marine Corps as an automotive and heavy equipment mechanic, and is a deacon at the Cliff Temple Baptist Church where he teaches a Men's Sunday School class. He and his wife own the "Smithland" Plantation south of Natchez. George has served was a Cemetery Trustee for approximately ten years. |
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Jack Sojourner |
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Robert J. Ashley Robert was born and raised in the Kingston Community where he continues to live. He attended the Kingston School 1st through 7th grades, then attended school in Natchez where he graduated from the Natchez High School in the Class of 1955. He served in the Army National Guard from 1955-1962 and, in October 1999, he retired from the International Paper Company located in Natchez after 44 years of employment. Robert married Clara in 1957, and they have two children, Wanda and Allen. They all live on Brick Quarters Plantation in the Kingston Community, where they are active members of the Kingston United Methodist Church, as were Robert’s parents. Robert is a friend of the DJS, an honorary member. He's filled in at a time when we really needed someone to fill a Trustee position, and has been of significant help recently regarding some tree trimming in the cemetery. |
| 75th Diamond Jubilee Reunion
2014 |
Over the years, Ann Severance has
organized many very successful reunions. A native of Baton Rouge, Ann
is a descendant of both Rev. Samuel and Richard Swayze. A long-time
dance instructor, Ann is a sales representative for McGraw-Hill
Publishers in Mississippi. |
| Cemetery Committee |
Members include Ella Young, K. C. Swayze, Jim White, and Jim Swayze. |
| Family
Genealogy Database |
Tina Hall is descended John and Sarah Sojourner. Originally from Indiana, she lives in Washington state. Tina is DJS webmaster emerita, having served from 2001 to 2011. |
| Friday Fest |
Dan Tarver |
| Nominating Committee |
Members include Floyd Boyett, Gary O'Neal, Ann Severance |