March 6, 2026

 

Greetings all James Richard Families.  I pray that all are doing well and in good spirits.  Per our 2025 Family Reunion Meeting in Monroe, Louisiana, our Post Office Box has been shut down.  Please note the updated postal mailing address for any family reunion correspondence or mailing your family reunion dues is located below. This letter outlines our 2026 James Richard Family Reunion agenda for our 3-day weekend and it reads as follows:

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Friday, we will have our Family Meet & Greet at the Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center Conference Room.  Saturday afternoon, we will play a fun game of James Richard Family Feud (let’s see how well you do).  Hilton Garden Inn will provide light food for our family during the afternoon hours.  Saturday evening, we will have our Family Dinner and Family Dance also at the Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center Conference Room.  Sunday morning, we will have our Family Worship.  Sunday afternoon, we will have our final meal and business meeting at Golden Corral.  Outside food and beverages are NOT allowed in the Hilton Garden Inn function spaces (Conference Room).

 

We are asking each household to send $200.00 (2 or more people) or $75.00 for anyone coming by him/herself to offset the cost of our food at our Friday Meet & Greet, Saturday afternoon light food, Saturday evening food at our Family Dinner & Family Dance, Hilton Garden Inn Conference Room Friday rental, Hilton Garden Inn Conference Room all day Saturday rental, and our music DJ.  We need your Family Reunion money by Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to start preparing for food items and accessories.  Please pay through our website under the PAYMENT link or make your check or money order payable to:  James Richard Family Reunion.  You may also Cash App at $RichEley or Venmo at @REleySr

 

Hotel accommodation has been secured at the Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center.  Our family reunion group rate is King Bed $149.00/night (plus tax), Double Queen Beds $149.00/night (plus tax), and King Suite $199.00/night (plus tax).  Each room includes a free Hot breakfast buffet for two (2) people and Valet Parking for one (1) vehicle with unlimited in and out access.  Prices are guaranteed until Friday, July 3, 2026.  Please call the hotel directly at 504-525-0044.  Advise Hilton Garden Inn you are with the James Richard Family Reunion.  Everyone is responsible for making hotel reservations for themselves.

 

With War in the Middle East (which could, at some point, impact us in the United States) we have decided to postpone any James Richard Family trips outside of this country to a later (safer) time.  If you have suggestions for different Family Reunion activities, please submit ideas through our family website or text your ideas to any of us at any of the numbers listed below.  Respectfully submitted by your cousins.  Grace and Peace.

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Respectfully submitted by your cousins,​

 

Richard A. Eley, Sr.

James Richard Family Reunion

7437 Sycamore Avenue

Kansas City, Missouri 64133

E-mail:  Richard.Eley@hotmail.com

Cell:  816-944-9300

Cash App:  $RichEley

Venmo:  @REleySr

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Ernest L. James

Dallas, Texas

Cell:  214-527-4921

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Rogers Gaines

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Cell:  318-267-2159

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Shannon Gaines

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Cell:  318-807-8961