Over a hundred family members and friends (of course, we are all family) gathered in the Fellowship Hall at Central Baptist Church in Kingsport on Saturday, April 12, 2008, to celebrate Mrs. Barbara Jean Clark's birthday.
It was a packed house, as there were plenty of hugs and kisses to go around. Old friends kept rousing conversations going, and a good time was had by all.
So, what did "Mama Jean" want for her birthday?
"All I want is some love," daughter Sylvia Ann remembered her saying. And love is exactly what she received, and a ton of it from family and friends. "I thought to myself, 'you just don't know how much you're gonna get," which produced laughter from the gahtering.
"My mom is my inspiration," Sylvia Ann told the group, "but you all have really been there for us. Each one of you have touched our lives, and God bless you for that."
Son Sidney recalled all the grandchildren started working secretly on the celebration a year ago, and he says he knew his mama would somehow find out about it. He thanked all of the family for coming from all around the world, and all of "Mama Jean's" friends for coming from around the block, to help celebrate her birthday.
The event was catered by Buddy's Barbeque of Knoxville, and was served by the grandchildren.
