Edwin Buggage Editor-in-Chief Data News Weekly
As the holiday season reminds us of the importance of love, connection, and shared history, the Cotton and Terrell families gathered earlier this year in New Orleans to celebrate what matters most: family.
This year’s reunion was hosted by New Orleans residents Almore and Deborah Cato. The reunion brought relatives from near and far to the Crescent City for a weekend of celebration, fellowship, and reflection.
Honoring Legacy and Togetherness
For many, the reunion was more than an event—it was a moment to honor those who paved the way.
“Our family has endured so much, but we’ve always stayed connected,” said Charles Cotton, one of the family’s elders. “Gathering like this helps us remember who we are and the people who sacrificed so we could stand where we are today.”
Throughout the weekend, family members enjoyed amazing times together, sharing stories of resilience, triumph, and everyday joys that have shaped the Cotton and Terrell Legacy. Children learned about their roots, and elders witnessed the continuation of traditions that bind the family across miles and generations in this being the 50th Year since they first gathered to celebrate family.
A Reunion Rooted in Love
Events included a Meet-and-Greet Dinner, a city tour, and moments of reflection where family members spoke about what the reunion meant to them.
Mae Mosely, who came up with the idea for the event in the mid 1970’s expressed great pride in seeing the younger generation take an active role in keeping the family together.
“It’s beautiful to see our children and grandchildren carrying forward the values we were raised on,” she said. “Family isn’t just a word, it’s our lifeline.”
The events held encouraged relatives to reconnect with branches of the family that hadn’t seen one another in years. There were tears, laughter, and heartfelt embraces as old memories resurfaced, and new ones were created.
A City That Feels Like Home
New Orleans served as the perfect backdrop for the gathering, offering culture, comfort, and hospitality.
“New Orleans welcomes you like family,” said Jason Johnson, who traveled in for the reunion from Dallas Texas, and is now taking a lead role in keeping the tradition alive. “The food, the music, the people, there’s no better place to celebrate our roots and reconnect with the people we love.”
Hosts Almore and Deborah Cato ensured that guests experienced both tradition and local flavor, curating activities that highlighted the best of the city while giving the families time to relax, enjoy one another, and remember why reunions matter.
“We wanted everyone to feel at home,” said Deborah Cato. “Bringing our families here felt right, New Orleans has a way of healing and holding people together. We hosted in 2013, and the family wanted to spend this Very Special Golden Reunion in New Orleans again. It was a lot of work, but the entire family supported us in this endeavor. We are so grateful to God for blessing us to host the event for a second time.”
Looking Ahead With Gratitude
As the holiday season encourages reflection, the Cotton and Terrell reunion stands as a testament to the strength of family unity. Many relatives expressed hopes of growing the reunion in years to come, inviting even more branches of the family tree to reconnect and celebrate.
“Family keeps us grounded,” said Charles Cotton. “As long as we keep coming together, our story will keep growing.”
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