HISTORY OF THE TEXAS SOJOURNERS  

*Abridged Version

 

When Elbert Smith was elected Southern Regional Director, his primary goal was to establish charter chapters in each of the Southern states.

​

His first challenge was to establish a chapter in the state of Texas. Letters went out to all of the NAARVA members and other RV owners in the State of Texas to invite them to an organizational meeting. The meeting was held in Belton, Texas at Turkey Roost Park in November 1999.

​

These families were present at the organizational meeting: Elbert & Wanda Smith, Henry Lett, Arthur & Ann Busby, Vincent & Anna Harris (representing Mr. Melvin Adams), Ben & Nancy Timmons.

​

The second meeting was held at the Still House Park at the Belton Dam- Belton, TX and Robert & Judy Stevens, Gene & Shirley Bell, and Melvin Adams joined the group.

​

The first President of the Texas Sojourners was Henry Lett and the Club submitted their application to NAARVA to become Charter Chapter 19.

​

Presidents of the Texas Sojourners Club have been Henry Lett, Elbert Smith, Wanda Smith, Gladys Curtis, Johnathan Hicks, Charles Lewis, Elbert Smith, Venson Miller, Sr and Dr. Morrell Greer.

​

In 2002 the Texas Sojourners hosted the Southern Regional Rally in Havens’ Landing in Montgomery, Texas with fifteen families serving as host. The rally hosted over 300 rigs.

​

In 2005, the Sojourners hosted the National Rally in Texas at Havens’ Landing. This was the first rally that a Service Mechanic was available to service RVs furnished by Tiffin’s. There were 500 rigs registered; 400 were at Havens Landing.   

​

                                                                         ………...Vincent Harris……. submitted 11/14/21

​