| By Bob Weaver
Coming together one more time
One of Calhoun's best attended family reunions was held Sunday at the Upper West
Fork Park. The Stalnaker clan gathered for their annual get-together.
The Calhoun origins are linked to William A. Stalnaker (1858-1948), who married
Louverna Chenoweth (1865-1940) and moved to Triplett, Roane County, living there
until 1900 when they purchased land at Rilla (later Orma). "William had a store and
post office at Orma, and was also a Justice of the Peace," according to James
Stalnaker of Spencer. They had seven children, all buried at the Sycamore Baptist
Church Cemetery on Mt. Zion Ridge. Nearly of of them lived on the waters of the West
Fork.
Stalnaker's have spent most of their lives along the West Fork
Lower your cholesterol level
Emma Stalnaker Deel, now 80, has helped organize the reunion since 1973. "I think it
has at least an 80 year history."
Pete Stalnaker displays multi-purpose cane,
which also assists aged men in rest
room
STALNAKERS (L to R) Naomi Sims,
Emma Deel, James Stalnaker, Brunna Penman
(L to R) Pam Throckmorton, Naomi Sims, Eva Payne,
Glenna Fleming and Sonny
Stalnaker
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