Lawton and Allied Families Reunion Information

Make Your Hotel Reservation Today!

Our 2017 Meeting will be April 21 and 22 in Charleston

Circular Congregational Church

150 Meeting Street,

Charleston SC 29401

We will meet on Friday evening and Saturday morning at the church. On Saturday afternoon we will go to McLeod plantation for a tour. Details will be announced in the registration mailing.


Charleston hotels fill up quickly in the springtime, and one can expect to pay a premium price for rooms wherever you stay in the area. We surveyed several hotel possibilities and local cousins actually visited some of them. The base price for a hotel room varies from about $140 to $ 200 per night depending on location and amenities. Check to see if you are eligible for a discount from AAA, AARP, etc. Some of these hotels offer free breakfast though we will be offering a brunch to begin the Saturday meeting. It’s important that you make your reservation now, because it’s “flower season” and all of the area hotels will fill up quickly.
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Our Conference hotel is the Days Inn [Historic District - 155 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401]. It is located directly across from Circular Congregational Church and the most convenient. A room is about $200 (plus tax) per night, but one gets free parking with the room. The Days Inn will not reserve a block of rooms for us, but you can make an individual reservation on their website or call them at 844-204-1042


Parking: The church does not have a parking lot. If you stay in the conference hotel, parking is free. But if you select another hotel you will probably end up paying an additional $16 per day for parking in a garage near the church.


Options: Some hotels outside of the downtown area are slightly less expensive. These hotels are a 15-20 minute drive from the church and they give you some pricing options.

Comfort Suites 

2080 Savannah Hwy

Charleston / 29407

near West Ashley/Citadel Mall 

Phone 843-769-9850 

$200/night without taxes

Newer, larger rooms

Free Breakfast

Holiday Inn Riverview 

301 Savannah Highway 

Charleston / 29407

near Hospitals & West Ashley

Phone 843-556-7100

$189/night without taxes

Great View - on Ashley River

Breakfast Additional

Day's Inn Highway 17 North

261 Johnny Dodd Blvd

Mt. Pleasant / 29464

near Mt. Pleasant & Patriots Point

Phone 843-881-1800

$139/night without taxes

Comfortable but not plush

Free Breakfast

Check each hotel for AARP, etc. discounts. Room tax will probably be in the range of $ 15-25/night. Whichever you choose, book now!


After Hours: Last year some people suggested that cousins could enjoy an “adult beverage” Friday night to catch up and further discuss the family history. Russ Lawton suggests that this after-hours meeting be conducted at the Grand Bohemian Hotel at 55 Wentworth Street which is about 3 blocks from Circular Church. So I’m designating this location as our “official” after-hours meeting site.

Your cousin and friend,

Neale Hightower, President

The Lawton and Allied Families Association

135 Lamont Drive

Decatur, Georgia 30030

Obituary - Violet Blakewood Lux

Violet Julia Blakewood Lux
Violet was a "country girl" born in Lecompte, La., August 17, 1924, and raised in Avoyelles Parish at Kleinwood Plantation on Bayou des Glaises. She was a long time resident of Baton Rouge since her university years in the 1940's. She was 92 and recently moved to the St James Retirement Community where she loved her new apartment, renewing past acquaintances , going to physical therapy and the outings. Violet graduated from Bordelonville High School where she was active in sports, band (was their first Majorette), and 4-H. She was voted "Most Athletic". She attended Brenau College in Gainesville, GA on a Music scholarship and to gain some "polishing". She returned to begin Pre-Med studies at LSU and was part of the first class of women admitted in the LSU band . She met her sweetheart and future life partner, Turner Saunders Lux, Jr and when he was called to active duty during WWII in the Army, she joined the Navy Waves and was in their Singing Platoon in New York. After WWII ended they married on December 16, 1945 in Baton Rouge. The 1950's were consumed by raising three children and the start of care for Turner with his diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. But in 1958, Violet returned to LSU to complete her BS, then Masters in Education and 30+Specialist Masters in 1962. She worked as Admissions Counsellor at LSU prior to beginning a long teaching career. She taught Introductory Physical Science at Broadmoor Jr High and then entered the age of Computer Science being one of the first teachers in the state to teach the subject at Broadmoor High School. Violet was active socially through music and sorority and church clubs and activities. Highlights include : BR Music Auxiliary, Alpha Phi Fraternity Alum (serving in many positions, also chairing fundraiser "Lollipops Express" for the Heart Association), Camp Fire Girls Leader, PTA Pres. at Goodwood Elementary, the Red Hat Society, La. Teachers Assn. Violet was a devoted Baptist and participated fully in First Baptist Church ideals and activities. She loved to sing and was a long standing choir participant for over 60 years. Her mentorship roles have touched many young people through science education, music experiences, church activities and outdoor education, travel and canoeing. She is survived by daughter, Martha Lux Matthews and her husband, Jack Matthews, daughter, Laura Kelley P. Matthews, all of Queenstown, New Zealand; two sons, Turner Saunders "Sandy" Lux, III and his wife, Dana Todd Lux, and son, Turner Lux IV, Baton Rouge, and step sons, Caleb Todd and Lindsey of Brimmerton, WA, and Joshua Lesley, of Belle Chase; and her second son, James Bond Lux and wife, Nita Gregorie Lux, and daughter, Julia L. Lux, Baton Rouge, and their sons, James B. Lux, Jr, of Phoenix, AZ, Shelby G. Lux, of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Violet had one great grandchild, Scout Todd, of Brimmerton, WA. Violet was preceded in death by her dear husband, Turner S. Lux, Jr.; parents, Eldred Griffin Blakewood and Laura Lillian Bond Blakewood; brothers E.G. "Bubba" Blakewood, Louis J. Blakewood, and Laurie Blakewood; and sisters, Madgie B. Ducote, Lillian B.B. Jackson and Mary Eleanor B. Marshall. A visitation will be held Thursday, September 22, 2016 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm. Also Visitation Friday morning at First Baptist Church, 9:00-10:00am followed by Funeral services 10:00 am Friday, September 23, 2016, at First Baptist Church, 529 Convention Street, conducted by pastor, Rev. Oren Connor. A 1:00pm Burial will follow the services at Port Hudson National Cemetery. Special thanks to TNCC at OLOL, St. James Retirement Community and Friends, L.S.U. Speech and Language Department and to Dr. David Sledge, M.D. Memorial donations may be made to Cat Haven, Louisiana Baptist Children's Home, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or The Heart Association.
Published in The Town Talk on Sept. 21, 2016

2017 Reunion Information

Greetings to all the descendants of Pierre Robert!

I hope this message finds our “dozens & dozens of cousins” all in good health and looking forward to cooler weather this fall. I’m excited to announce that plans are in the works for our next biennial reunion of the Pierre Robert Family Association in 2017.

For those of us who were together for the 2015 reunion, many cousins indicated that they would be happy to return to Alexandria, La., especially if the beautiful restoration of the Bentley Hotel would be complete. Owner Michael Jenkins and Jennifer (Robert descendant) have graciously offered to accommodate us at a reduced rate on guest rooms and to provide our meeting rooms at no charge! This historic hotel in downtown Alexandria, La. is situated on the banks of the Red River, so……….

Shall we gather at the river?

Rev. Pierre Robert Family Association

10th. Biennial Reunion

May 19, 20 & 21, 1017

Please mark your calendars with this “save the date” information; details of an exciting agenda will follow. Consider joining us for what promises to be a perfect “10” gathering! Your participation can make it happen. We welcome your suggestions, questions, input, etc. and any contact information on other descendants we may not be aware of.

Yours in family spirit,
Becky Descant
234 Lyles Road
Bunkie, LA 71322
rndd@att.net

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Claire Marie McEntire, granddaughter of Carmen Moncla Hiott and daughter of Marie Hiott McEntire, who was married on January 28, 2016 to Jeff Minneman of Atlanta, GA.

Reunion June 3 & 4

The Lawton and Allied Families Association Annual Reunion will be held at the First Baptist Church of Savannah, GA June 3 & 4, 2016. Activities begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and conclude on Saturday afternoon. For more information, please contact Association President Neale Hightower at nealeh1@bellsouth.net or visit the newly created Facebook page for Descendants of Captain William Lawton.

Obituary - Henry Spann Laffitte

Henry Spann Laffitte, 74, died Thursday, December 31, 2015, in Allendale, SC. A graveside service will be held in Lawtonville Cemetery in Estill, SC, on Saturday, January 2, 2016, at 2:00 p.m., to be followed by visitation at the family home in Allendale. He was born August 30, 1941, in Estill, SC, a son of the late Charles Atkins and Rosalie Spann Laffitte. A graduate of Allendale-Fairfax High School, he attended The Citadel and graduated from The University of South Carolina with a B.S. and a Master's of Business Administration. He served as president of the Carolina Commercial Bank in Allendale, SC. Upon its merger with Palmetto State Bank in 2007, he became executive vice chairman of Palmetto State Bank. He served as a board member of the Independent Banks of South Carolina and South Carolina Bankers Association. He was named Outstanding Young Banker, the highest honor presented in the South Carolina banking industry. He served as president of the Young Bankers Division of the South Carolina Bankers Association and as chairman of the South Carolina Bankers School. He was a graduate of the South Carolina Bankers School, the School of Banking of the South at LSU, and of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers. He served as a member of the American Bankers Association Community Bankers Group, and he was involved in acquiring funding and supplies for the ABA's Personal Economic Program. He took an active part in a wide variety of cultural and community organizations throughout South Carolina, some of which were Allendale County Council, Allendale County Alive, Allendale County Historical Society (president), Lebanon Association (president), the Huguenot Society of South Carolina (president), the General Society of Colonial Wars, the Society of First Families of South Carolina, the South Carolina Historical Society Board, St. Andrew's Society of Columbia (president), Governor's Mansion Foundation, the S.C. State Museum Board, and the S.C. Archives and History Museum Board. He was a man of extraordinary faith and was a member of the Allendale Presbyterian Church, where he had served as deacon and elder. He devoted his life in multiple endeavors designed to strengthen his community and his state and to serve others. His family, especially his grandchildren, gave him great joy. He was one of a kind and loved by all. While he will be greatly missed, he leaves behind a lasting legacy of a life well-lived. Surviving are his wife of almost 50 years, Elizabeth Peeples Laffitte; and their two children, Henry Spann Laffitte, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth Fraser Laffitte, of Columbia, and Elizabeth Laffitte Hutton and her husband, George Sargeant Hutton, of Columbia; and his grandchildren, Alice Lowndes Laffitte, Lucille Morrison Laffitte, Elizabeth Anne Hutton, Henry Sargeant Hutton and George Stearns Hutton of Columbia. Also surviving are his two brothers, Charles Atkins Laffitte, Jr. (LaClaire) of Hampton, and Montague Tucker Laffitte (Ann) of Bluffton, and multitudes of other beloved family members. Memorials contributions may be made to: Allendale Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 554, Allendale, SC 29810, Lawtonville Cemetery Association, PO Box 200, Estill, SC 29918, Epworth Children's Home, 2900 Millwood Ave., Columbia, SC 29205, Lebanon Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 445, Estill, SC 29918. The family would welcome written remembrances. Keith Smith Funeral Service, 128 Water Street, Allendale, SC 29810. 

Published in The State January 2, 2016