Family Legacy
Colter Family Celebarates Strong Family Bond Through Reunions
The Colter Family has been celebrating for almost 50 years. Who started this Great Celebration? Fannie Mae Gilder Colter! She started out having her birthday party every year with her kids and inviting Immediate family, Friends, Emmanuel Church members, all of our relatives(Gilders,Colemans, Williams, Warrens, Johnsons, Bellamys, Brices, Scotts,Jones) and many more families to 1522 West Buckeye Rd. ,Phoenix, Az . The reunions grew so large that the family started having them at Encanto Park, Harmon Park, South Mountain, Estrella Park and at the C.O.G.I.C. Temple.
Now we are all at Kiwanis Park in Tempe, Az. We all originated from the Carolina's(South and North), Georgia, Mississippi, and Crockett(Beery), Tx. In 1939 we migrated to Arizona and lived in the Cold Water Government Camp. Avondale, Eloy, Casa Grande, and Marana were all stops along the way back to Phoenix. The Earl & Fannie Colter family bought a house that was built by Bishop George Johnson who built all of the houses for blacks in that area during that time. Our relatives also lived in the same neighborhood and very close proximity to each other. We all attended the same schools (Marana & Dunbar Elementary, Cold Water & Mary McLeod Bethune, and Phoenix Union High School). If there was ever a problem with one Colter there was a problem with every Colter. It was said that you should not cross 15th avenue going west on Buckeye Road unless everything was okay between you and the Colters.
We have grown to about 2300 blood(biological) family members in Arizona and are so large that it is important that we as family continue to have our annual Family Reunions so that our younger generation can continue to bond and know each other.
The reason behind such a strong family turnout each year is due to the Family Committee meetings. The committee meets monthly to plan and organize events to keep the family in harmony. The aforementioned committee currently consists of the grandchildren and great grandchildren of Grandma Fannie & Grandpa Earl(wives and husbands included). We would, however, wish to include information from other blood relatives or friends who can enlighten us on family history!!
Earl Colter: Husband
Grandmother Fannie's Sisters:
Minnie Ola, Ophelia, Tennesee, and Clara
Brothers:
Garfield and Richard
Children:
Earl Jr, Alton, Jessie, Anna Lee, Earlie Mae, Herman
Tea Etta, Andrew, Adolphus, Monroe, Bonnie Sue
and Marie
Now we are all at Kiwanis Park in Tempe, Az. We all originated from the Carolina's(South and North), Georgia, Mississippi, and Crockett(Beery), Tx. In 1939 we migrated to Arizona and lived in the Cold Water Government Camp. Avondale, Eloy, Casa Grande, and Marana were all stops along the way back to Phoenix. The Earl & Fannie Colter family bought a house that was built by Bishop George Johnson who built all of the houses for blacks in that area during that time. Our relatives also lived in the same neighborhood and very close proximity to each other. We all attended the same schools (Marana & Dunbar Elementary, Cold Water & Mary McLeod Bethune, and Phoenix Union High School). If there was ever a problem with one Colter there was a problem with every Colter. It was said that you should not cross 15th avenue going west on Buckeye Road unless everything was okay between you and the Colters.
We have grown to about 2300 blood(biological) family members in Arizona and are so large that it is important that we as family continue to have our annual Family Reunions so that our younger generation can continue to bond and know each other.
The reason behind such a strong family turnout each year is due to the Family Committee meetings. The committee meets monthly to plan and organize events to keep the family in harmony. The aforementioned committee currently consists of the grandchildren and great grandchildren of Grandma Fannie & Grandpa Earl(wives and husbands included). We would, however, wish to include information from other blood relatives or friends who can enlighten us on family history!!
Earl Colter: Husband
Grandmother Fannie's Sisters:
Minnie Ola, Ophelia, Tennesee, and Clara
Brothers:
Garfield and Richard
Children:
Earl Jr, Alton, Jessie, Anna Lee, Earlie Mae, Herman
Tea Etta, Andrew, Adolphus, Monroe, Bonnie Sue
and Marie