A lot has happened since 1912. We’ve elected 16 different U.S. presidents. The Titanic sank in the North Atlantic but was resurrected in Hollywood. In 1912 Auburn University was still known as Alabama Polytechnic Institute.  

Another thing happened that year—the first Tucker family reunion. 

On the fourth Sunday of next month the Tuckers will reunite for the hundredth consecutive year. Now spread throughout the country, roots from the Tucker family tree sprouted in Cherokee County.  

In the early part of the 20th century, Andrew and Effie Tucker tilled and harvested their farm near the site of the old John’s Grocery. The couple had children, but the kids were not your average Depression-era farmhands. All of them sang. Their first names started with the letter “G,” and there were 16 of them. Yes, Garvin, Grover, Grady, Gus, Gertrude, Gardie, Garnette, Gennette, Gartrill, Glover, Gramling, Geraldine, Genoka, Geneva, Gevelma, and Geromia made up the Tucker clan. But the story doesn’t end there. 

As Effie was pregnant with her youngest child, Andrew passed away. Soon thereafter, a family trip to Rome, Ga. increased their notoriety. Yet that trip to a downtown store would ultimately disperse many of the Tuckers away from Cherokee County.  

Gennette, the second-oldest daughter, tells the story: “The family came to Rome to buy all of our shoes. Mr. Penny, the shoe salesman, said, ‘I want you to go over here to McBrayer’s across the street, and I want you to have these children sing’.” 

The newspaper was alerted and the Tucker family’s picture made the paper. Martha Berry saw the picture and took a keen interest in the family, convincing them to move to the Berry College. When dignitaries like Henry Ford visited campus, the Tucker family would entertain them with their songs. As time passed, most of the Tucker children did not move back to Cherokee County.  

One thing that did stay in Alabama was the Tucker reunion. Most of the one hundred reunions have been held at Providence Church in Forney.  

Gennette, now 88, recalls riding there with her siblings. 

“I remember we were all on the truck with our legs hanging off,” she says. “That’s the way we went to the reunion.” 

Other Tuckers are quick to recall the family’s sense of affection at these gatherings.  

“Aunt Shirley would kiss everybody,” says Gus’s son, Donnie Tucker. “As we grew older, we got used to it.” 

“We’re huggers,” says Gennette. “When we get through doing that, we put our food on the table and go to town.” 

Gennette’s blueberry crisp and Mrs. Denise Tucker Rains’s pecan pies are noted as reunion food favorites. The anticipation of the reunion meal made another memory.  

“Uncle Luke always prayed before the meal,” Gennette says. “The prayer would last like fifteen or twenty minutes. If we took a congealed salad, it was soup by the time he stopped praying.” 

In the past decade, the Tucker reunion has been moved to Cave Spring, Ga. Regardless of the location, once the meal is over, the family does what they do best—sing.   

Tom Seckinger, who married into the family, says: “One of my first recollections of the reunions was that they sang in parts. Everyone had their part, and they had a director. He went around and made sure everyone was on key with their part. I just sat back in awe.”  

Freida Seckinger, Garnette’s daughter, continues: “No matter how yummy the food, the ‘visiting’ and hardy, harmonious singing was what I treasured most.” 

“I’ll Fly Away,” “Eastbound Train,” and “Will the Circle Ever Be Unbroken” are reunion staples.  

The songs are special for Gennette. 

“My best memories of the reunion are when my daddy was living,” she says. “He could sing up a storm.” 

Asked if she were going to sing at the upcoming 100th Tucker reunion, Gennette’s sly smile gave away her answer. 

“Absolutely!”