The Gilmer County Genealogical Society’s September Monthly Meeting will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the lower level meeting room of the Gilmer County Library. Gilmer County native and writer Chuck Reece will present the program "Thirty-Three First Cousins: Stories of the Reece and Smith Families of Gilmer County."
Chuck, the only son of Clarence and Flora Louise Smith Reece, has family ties that date back to the origin of Gilmer County. The Reece and Smith surnames are both popular in the county, and both families joined together when Clarence and Flora wed in the cab of a Dodge pickup truck during a rainstorm in February of 1940. Chuck’s father Clarence had eleven siblings and his mother Flora had three. With a total of fourteen aunts and uncles, thirty-three first cousins does not seem that far-fetched in an earlier time when families farmed and groceries were not priced as they are today. Can you imagine the family reunions? And the stories that were told? You don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear Chuck share some of the Reece and Smith family stories!
Born and raised in Gilmer County, Georgia, and a graduate of Gilmer High School and the University of Georgia, Chuck Reece has spent his career as a journalist, editor, and communicator. He got his start in journalism during high school working for the Ellijay Times-Courier,and after graduating from UGA, he worked as a journalist in New York, where his writing appeared in various newspapers and magazines. In 2013 he was the founding editor-in-chief of the independent media company "The Bitter Southerner" and previously hosted "The Bitter Southerner Podcast" produced by Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Chuck Reece left "The Bitter Southerner" in 2020, and in 2021, he and his wife Stacy Reece co-founded the digital publication, "Salvation South." This publication was inspired by hope and healing and the desire to create a place for every writer and reader who wants to celebrate the culture of the American South. On the website Chuck is listed as co-founder and editor-in-chief, and Stacy is listed as co-founder and CSO (chief stuff officer.) With Chuck editing the publication as well as writing for the publication, screen printing entrepreneur Stacy helms the store which includes home goods, apparel, and other merchandise reflecting today’s Southern culture.
"Salvation South" has also partnered with Georgia Public Broadcasting and they produce the "Salvation South Podcast," a weekly series of short commentaries about people and things Southern. You can listen to all podcasts at GPB.org/Salvation-South.
Join GCGS on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the lower level meeting room of the Gilmer County Library’s lower level for tales of two families from Chuck Reece with the program "Thirty-Three First Cousins: Stories of the Reece and Smith Families of Gilmer County." The public is invited to this Gilmer County Genealogical Society meeting, and admission is free.
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