DESCRIPTION:
On May 2, 2017 the black and white descendants of James Edward O’Kelley b. 1824 held a meet and greet party at the home of Joyce Ann Huston in St. Louis, MO. Ellen Fisher b. 1843 was a mulatto enslaved by J.E. O'Kelley in Woodville, MS who bore 2 of his sons, Daniel Smith & Will Dock O’Kelley. After his death, Ellen also bore a child, Charles Edward O'Kelley, by his brother John Beattie O'Kelley. Ellen Johnson-Mathews-Fisher’s other children include: Cordelia, Virginia, John Archie, Amos & Theresa.

J. E. O'Kelley with his wife Elizabeth Middleton had 2 children, Will & Leonora. The descendants of Leonora attended the event. Ms. Huston, the Black O'Kelleys family historian, met Leonora's great-granddaughter Argie Shumway in 2001 in Salt Lake City, UT during a research trip. Argie shared her research materials and embraced her new found family line. She offered an apology for the terrible effects of slavery that her ancestors took part in. In 2016, Mrs. Shumway hosted Joyce Ann’s mother, Loyce Pickens Huston, in Utah for a weeklong visit at her home in Utah where she met Argie’s sons including Bradley Reneer.

Bradley contacted the Hustons with interest in meeting his cousins during their visit with his daughter’s family who lives in Ballwin, MO. Mr. & Mrs. Bradley & Marne’ Reneer, their son Benjamin, daughter Ruth & her husband Atkin all attended the gathering. Bradley and Argie are also confirmed DNA matches to family in their Black O’Kelleys DNA project. A great time was had by all!