FORT STEWART, Ga.-- Descendants from one of the nation's oldest communities, Taylors Creek, gathered together in fellowship, Oct. 18 at Taylors Creek Cemetery to remember the town, which was originally founded around 1760, and the loved ones who lived there until 1941.
Brigadier General Jeffrey E. Phillips, senior commander for Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield joined the nearly 100 participants of the Taylors Creek Cemetery Association Meeting and Reunion, to recognize the sacrifice made by local Families toward the creation of Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, and thank them for their continued support of the installation's Soldiers and Families.
Records submitted to the Stewart-Hunter's Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division, Cultural Resources Branch indicated Taylors Creek was inhabited as early as 1760 and the settlement can be traced firmly to 1790.
Records indicate the community prospered as a crossroads from Sunbury to roads westward toward Macon.
The Taylors Creek Cemetery Association, started holding gatherings at the old town's cemetery 64 years ago, much like the original settlers who started holding their fall meetings as early as 1807. They gathered together from all the surrounding areas for special, social and religious events.
Reidsville Mayor Jackie Trim, guest speaker at the TCCA Meeting and Reunion, said after he read a book about the community, he was struck by Taylors Creek's sense of community and patriotism.
"If that doesn't light your fire, your wood's wet," Mayor Trim said, while he applauded the association's commitment, enthusiasm and adrenalin in keeping the community alive.
Door prizes were presented to attendees including awards for youngest (Trenton James Mizelle,10-months) and oldest. One of the prizes was a print of the Taylors Creek School that burned down and was rebuilt in 1930.
Mary Shuptrine Toodle, 94-years old, recalled attending the school in her youth. Upon hearing that, Mayor Trim, who won the prize presented it to Toodle.
The event, coordinated by TCCA current president Lewis Strickland and secretary Patty Tootle, also featured a presentation of the nations colors by Soldiers from 4-3 Brigade Special Troops Battalion; the national anthem sung by Frances K. Moody; and Taps played by Jessica Young.
Brigadier General Phillips said although the brick and mortar were gone from Taylors Creek, the spirit lives on and noted their continued support to Soldiers and Families have helped Fort Stewart become an important part of the nation's defense and one of the premier installations in the world.
In that venue, Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield has won the Army Community of Excellence, and Commander-in-Chief's annual Award for Installation Excellence an unprecedented fourth times.
Major General Tony Cucolo, 3rd Infantry Division commander, in his acceptance speech at the last CINC award, July 22 at the Pentagon, said community partnership was one of the major factors for success.
"Home is just a word to Soldiers and their Families, unless there is a feeling of warmth, welcome and care behind it," Maj. Gen. Cucolo said in his acceptance said. "We are blessed to have the most supportive community that I have seen in the 30 years of my service in Liberty County, Bryan County, Chatham County, and all the surrounding counties of coastal Georgia."
For individuals interested in learning more about the Taylors Creek or local cemeteries on Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, contact Directorate of Public Works' Cultural resources, who maintain historical documents, archeological sites, cemeteries, monuments, and historic buildings from past communities on the installation at 767-0992.
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