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It was a day of homecoming for the small farming community of Pelham located in the far western section of Navarro County.Visitors from as far away as California, Nevada, Ohio, Michigan, and North Carolina found their way back home to visit with friends and relatives during the three-day event, which concluded with a church service held at the Wesley United Methodist Church on Sunday. The community of Pelham, formerly Forks of the Creek, was founded around 1866 by freed slaves shortly after the Civil War.
It was then located a short distance south of the present location on Ash Creek, but due to constant flooding of farm lands caused by the creek after heavy rains, settlers decided to move the community to its present location. Improvements made in farm implements to made the cultivation of the rich, fertile Blackland soil of which the Pelham area had in abundance, easier to farm. The people of Pelham have always been proud of the roots, and have never forgotten their history, or the many people that have come and gone. In the 1950’s, the community started their annual homecoming event and it continues today.Many families were reunited with loved ones whom they have not seen in many years.One lady in the congregation, gathered inside the historic church building, told the audience she had been away for nearly 40 years, and this was her first visit back to her childhood home.While the morning was filled with song and fellowship, many visitors and long-time residents were honored with special recognition from those who traveled the greatest distance to attend the homecoming, to the oldest person in Pelham. Mrs. Maxine Duster gave everyone a moment to reflect on the people, events, and life the folks in Pelham are so proud to claim.“Pelham was that little place where everyone was your teacher, your parent, and your friend,” Duster said. “Our teachers and parents didn’t let us sit back and do nothing. Education was relevant!” Although farming was the way of life in Pelham from the beginning, the importance of education was instilled among the community’s youth at an early age.Education was, and still is, relevant for the people of Pelham; many of whom went on to graduate from college, making a difference in the lives of people all over the nation as educators, teachers, and businessmen. “I do know our behaviors were shaped by the many people, relatives, friends, and neighbors that made our community of Pelham a proud place to live,” said Duster.Some of the graduating classes, ending in seven of the year graduated, were given special recognition in an announcement made by Joe Baker.Three members of the Class of 1937, still living are Alsa Caruthers McMullan, Catherine Carroll Porter, and J.B. Porter was named. Also named, from the Class of 1947 and 1957, are Margaret White Huff, ’47, Robert Schultz, ’47, Betty Ruth Durham, ’57, James Heiskell, ’57, and Lonnie Melton, ’57. Baker thanked each of the class members for coming back home, participating, and helping to make the 50th Pelham Homecoming a success.Joan Younger Davis gave the recognition and necrology reading of Pelham citizens who have passed on, but are not forgotten.Jackie Birdow and Curtis Sparks, Jr., provided special music, with Sparks singing, “I cannot feel the Lord,” causing a soulful, yet peaceful, stir in the hearts of the people of the congregation. Also in attendance, all the way from Ft. Worth, was the Holy Tabernacle COGIC (Church of God In Christ) Church Choir making a joyous noise for the Lord, which had everyone clapping hands and praising God’s name.  Lifelong Pelham resident, J.B. Porter, makes his way back to his seat after giving an offering during Sunday’s worship service at Wesley United Methodist Church. The community held a three-day homecoming celebration that ended with a noon luncheon on Sunday. “That’s how I see Pelham today,” Rev. Sample stated. “Although there aren’t many houses left … I still hear the words, ‘Forward.’ I see Pelham as a community still moving forward. Pelham, you have something to give because of who you are!” After the service everyone met at the Pelham Community Center for lunch and a chance to visit with each other one more time before going back to where ever destiny leads, happy and fulfilled upon given the opportunity to see friends and loved ones in a place they truly can be proud of to call and claim as their home. |
