Minutes from the 90th Annual Reunion

DESCENDANTS OF JACOB STRAUB-STROUP

(To Be Approved on Sunday, August 2, 2020)

On Sunday, August 4, 2019, the descendants of Jacob Straub-Stroup held their 90^TH reunion in the Family Life Center of the Alexis Baptist Church in Alexis, Gaston County, North Carolina.  President Hank W. Stroup of Raleigh welcomed all attendees and gave opening remarks.  Photographs of 1) the entire group and 2) those born a “Stroup/e” were taken at 12:45 p.m. followed by the covered dish luncheon.

First time attendees included:  Kevin G. Stroupe and his son Alex of Reno, Nevada (Philip Stroup Descendant); Mrs. Billye E. Stroup Wilda of Eagar, Arizona (Adam through the Buncombe County clan); Donna Bunch and Mr. and Mrs. John Atkinson of Lebanon, Missouri (Adam); Michael Buttz of Poughkeepsie, New York (Daniel); Marcie Carpenter McClure of Gastonia (Philip); Kim Bumgardner of Kings Mountain (Philip); Joe Caforia and daughter Bella of Worcester, Massachusetts (Daniel); Charles Hobbs and son Elijah of Milton, Florida (Adam & Philip); Mike Iovenio and daughter Juliana of Destin, Florida (Daniel); Suzan Iovieno of Dunedin, Florida (Daniel); Tom and Elena Iovieno of Charlotte (Daniel);  Mark & Karen Pearson and family of Indian Land, South Carolina (TBD); Jessica Stroupe of Kannapolis (TBD)

Business Meeting called to order about 1:20pm by President Hank Stroup.

Minutes of last year’s Reunion (2018) were approved, Motion by Linda Ballard, second by Dan Stroup.  Carried unanimously.  The associated Milestone Report will be sent early next week to attendees by email.  The attendees unanimously approved the Treasurers Report from Maria Hipp:

Cash carried over from last year, 2018:              $1,513.06

Expenses for 2017 Reunion:

                  Supplies  for Reunion                                ($117.17)

                  Donation to Alexis Baptist                        ($150.00)

                  Facilities Fee to Alexis Baptist                   ($50.00)

                  Door Prizes                                                    ($150.00)

Cash collected today, on August 4, 2019              $540.00

Cash on Hand                                                               $1,585.89

Hank announced that attendance this year was close to 110!  Other acknowledgements:

- Mike and Ruth Hipp with Alan and Maria Hipp for their faithful, dedicated service in setting up the family life center for the reunion this year.

- Mike B. Stroupe for diligently serving in areas of family history and genealogical research.  Mike will continue on the history committee as the Chair, with Sid Stroupe assisting.

- Nancy Quesada of Austin Texas for her long-time support of this reunion, serving as an officer for many years.  Nancy has removed her name from consideration as an officer, going forward.

- The late Dennis Arthur Stroupe of Lincolnton for his donation of the elaborate and beautifully engraved family coat of arms, presented at this Reunion in 2015. 

Officers Elected for 2019-2020 are:  President – Hank Stroup of Raleigh; Vice-President – Tom Iovieno of Charlotte; Secretary – Sid Stroupe of Durham; Treasurer – Maria Hipp of Alexis; Family Historian – Mike Stroupe of Rock Hill, SC. 

New Business.   William M. “Bill” Stroupe of Dallas reported that approximately 60 acres of an original Jacob Stroup grant in 1770s have been donated to the Catawba Land Conservancy by heir Stephen D. Stroupe of Libertyville, Illinois.  Stephen inherited the land from his parents, the late Dr. and Mrs. Henry Smith Stroupe of Winston-Salem.  Many recall that the Henry S. Stroupe family attended this reunion for many, many years and Dr. Stroupe frequently presented several history lectures to us.  President Hank Stroupe was asked to send a letter of appreciation to Stephen Stroupe for his kind gesture to preserve and protect that land for future generations.  Reunion attendees discussed how to place a plaque on the land, at the roadside, to denote the Stroup legacy of ownership.   Bill and cousin Carolyn Mullins agreed to investigate.

President Hank Stroup adjourned the official business meeting at 2:30pm.

First time attendee Mrs. Billye Stroup Wilda of Arizona spoke to the group about her efforts to research her connection to Stroups of North Carolina and how thrilled she is to have proven her lineage to Jacob.  In loving tribute to her ‘new’ family here in Alexis, Billye, a quilt designer and creator, announced that she will gift a homemade “90^th Reunion Family Quilt” at next year’s reunion.  Billye drew a name and the winner is Linda Moss Ballard of Cherryville who will receive the finished product at the 91^st Reunion in 2020.

Special Recognition and Drawings:

Traveling the farthest distance:  Kevin G. Stroupe and son Alex Stroupe from Reno, Nevada.

Eldest Lady:  Anne Abernathy Orren, age 94, from Tega Cay, SC.

Eldest Gentleman: Michael Barnett “Mike” Stroupe, age 78 & 11 months, from Rock Hill, SC.

Youngest Little Lady:  Hannah Holbrook, 10 months, of Morganton, North Carolina.  Hannah is the daughter of Justin and Heather Holbrook, granddaughter of Tom and Diane Stroupe Holbrook and great-granddaughter of the late Herman Craig and Margaret Stroupe Stroupe of Morganton.

Youngest Little Gentleman:  Levi Jace Laughter, 8 months, of Flat Rock, North Carolina.  Son of John and Kim Laughter; grandson of Mike and Susan Stroupe Laughter; great-grandparents are the late Ivey and Rachel Brown Stroupe of Alexis.

Door prizes to Joana Hipp of Alexis, Phoenix Stroup of Dallas, William M. “Bill” Stroupe of Dallas & Kim Bumgardner of Kings Mountain.

1 Grand Prize Winner!  Jim Mullins of Panama City Beach, Florida.

Respectfully submitted by:

Barbara Anne Stroupe Stegall, Matthews NC - Outgoing Reunion Secretary

Sid Stroupe, Durham NC - Incoming Reunion Secretary