Spending Christmas dinner with the Dennis boys

The Dennis family flanked by Ronnie Dennis at extreme left and me at extreme right

'The family is the building block for whatever solidarity there is in society-Anonymous.

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

Every Christmas for the past decade, the Dennis brothers would gather for an early Christmas dinner.  The venue of choice is the home of Dean and Ann Dennis at Ellerbe, North Carolina.

William H. Dennis alias Bill, Larry Keith or simply Keith, Gary Dean often called Dean and Ronnie Dennis, the boy with no middle name so he's known as Ronnie N. Dennis as in Ronnie “No Middle Name” Dennis. 

They are the sons of William and Mary, both deceased. Five boys in the family and all good-looking especially Ronnie (pardon the bias). 

Eldest brother George Wayne couldn't attend because of health concerns and the distance from Tennessee to North Carolina. Catherine Peek, a beautiful woman of 80 years talked fondly about the Dennis boys who are all close to her and her sisters. 

She described Bill as a brother, who's always present when needed. Larry Keith is the brother who would always find things to do in the house. Dean, the baby of the family, is a perfectionist like the father. 

From left Ronnie Dennis, Dean, Keith and Bill

Catherine described Ronnie as the beautiful boy whom she tagged along wherever she went. She recalled bringing Ronnie to the barber shop or visiting friends.  “I love the natural curl of Ronnie,” she said.

I've been attending this gathering for four years  and every year I witness how these four grown men act like little boys and never tired of talking about growing up in East Rockingham and sharing about the good times with cousins Catherine Peek, Bobbie Caulder and Lora May Brown and nephew Randy Peek.  

This year the ”Dennis Boys” were in the other room sharing tales and stories with Dean's youngest son Christopher and joined by Greg Tew, boyfriend of Lorie Brackhahn (Keith's daughter).

Their laughter is infectious. Their stories aren't recycled with additional details to spice it up. Rather they share and join in each other's stories. 

I was reminded of the book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder who said something about hearts growing tender with children memories and love of kindred and how we are better throughout the year for having inhabited the spirit of a child again. These words fit the Dennis family perfectly.


I heard Ronnie giving instructions to Meghan, Keith's granddaughter, to go “to your grandpa and tell him, that Uncle Ronnie is the good looking uncle you ever had and I give you 5 dollars.”

Meghan would say no and make a counter-offer, telling Ronnie to make it $20 to the roar of laughter of those who heard the conversation.

But later the Dennis brothers would start talking about their respective families, children and grandchildren. Take for instance, Ronnie who told everyone that Madison, the granddaughter could not make it this year since she is attending a violin lesson every Saturday.

Dean also announced that he and Anne are planning to visit Okinawa in March to visit his son Gary and his family. Gary is with the US Air Force and is assigned in Okinawa; his wife Nikki will deliver their second child in March, promoting their first child Myles to big brother status. 

Dean's wife Anne said it had been more than 10 years since they've had Christmas dinner reunions and gently reminded all those present that they should meet up even once a year.

Every year there is an addition to the Dennis family. Actually an extended family and I am honored that they also include in their prayers my family back home.

The Dennis Christmas reunion dinner is usually held every first Sunday of December since it is the time of the year when each are not yet tied up their own lives. 

The family is getting bigger with the children who came with their family and the grandchildren who are always the center of attention. But all those who could not make are remembered in the prayers made by Dean Dennis.

The Dennis family growing closer and bigger with each passing year

As is always the case, the food is delicious; ham, chicken,turkey, collards green, dressing, deviled eggs, macaroni and cheese, rice, gravy, rolls and for dessert pecan pie, chocolate cake and orange cake and soda, tea and water.

The food is cooked and served up by the beautiful wives of the Dennis brothers- Anne, Doris, Cheryle, and of course me.

Coming from a country where everybody is a family and reunions are always worth attending I love being a part of the annual Christmas reunion dinner.

It is that time of the year when everybody is accounted for and all are having fun with each other. I thank the Lord for being with this family.