SMBQ Family
History
Smith, Mosley, Broadnax, and Quinn are four separate names welded together as one by history and LOVE.
In the late 1870's, our great grandparents Henry Smith and Martha Stokes — who were slaves in Mississippi — married and had the following eleven children:
Harrison, Frances, Paralee, Elbert, George,
Narciss, Walter, Johnnie, Edie, Virge and Goslee
The four girls married and had children who were our grandparents and the reason for our existing here today. Frances married a Broadnax, Paralee married a Mosley, Narciss married a Quinn and Edie married a Tounsel. Edie was the only sister who did not have children, however, she was very close to her sisters and helped them raise their children. History indicates that all the sisters were caring women who loved their families. That same family love is reflected here today among their descendants.
This family can safely say that we are one of the few black families in America who have been getting together in family reunion style meetings starting in Mississippi for over one hundred years.
Those of us who are age 70 plus can remember how as children we would look forward to the annual family picnics which were held every August at Rouge Park in Detroit. Those were one day events where you observed the elders and how they related to us and each other, and the desire they had to impart wisdom and knowledge to the younger generations.
Our parents were inherently smart people which makes me wonder what they would have achieved had they had the same opportunities that we have.
We give thanks to our elders and a Special Honor to Cousin Charlotte Ward, age 95, who is the only living child of the original four sisters. Her mother was Paralee Mosley.
We have a family tradition and legacy to uphold and a challenge to all of us to end this century and start the next century with resolve to be together, stay together and love each other as our parents loved us.
— Clarence Broadnax
JUNE, 1999
Smith
The original family name of Henry Smith & Martha Stokes.
Mosley
From Paralee Smith, who married into the Mosley name.
Broadnax
From Frances Smith, who married into the Broadnax name.
Quinn
From Narciss Smith, who married into the Quinn name.
