Despite claims by newcomers, who unknowingly celebrated 2025 as Navarre’s 100th anniversary, early settlers actually migrated to Holley-Navarre in the 1800s, and many of their descendants gathered Saturday at Holley Assembly of God for a heartfelt reunion.
Harvell descendant Wendy Lincoln was recognized at the beginning of the event for her dedication to organizing the reunion. Others who served on the committee included: Caylor Lemberger, a Harvell descendant; Shawn Wildman, a Barlow descendant; Romi White, a Broxson/Tolbert descendant; and Brenda Barre, a Wells descendant.
The first-ever Founding Families reunion took place before the 2020 pandemic, and the second gathering was such a success that organizers plan to make it an annual event. “We had a great time catching up with family, so we’re planning to host the reunion every October,” Lincoln said. “We especially appreciate Herbst Homes and David & Sharen Phillips for helping us cover costs, and Audrey McWaters and Sharon Smith also chipped in.”
Like the first reunion in 2020, fishermen caught and fried mullet for attendees . Hunting and fishing are a part of the legacy of the community, and each day many descendants can be found fishing on the pier, oystering in the bays or hunting in the woods.
Danny Hawkins (foreground), John Tolbert and his son, Tim, and Ted Tolbert (right) helped fry fresh fish for attendees.
Dr. Brian Rucker, a Crain/Fortune descendant and soon-to-be Professor Emeritus of History at Pensacola State College, is known for his sense of humor and chuckled when seeing John Tolbert’s historic phone book, featuring a ONE-PAGE listing of all the numbers in the Holley-Navarre area. Families listed include: Anderson, Barlow, Barnard, Bunyan, Coleman, Colley, Harvell, Hurst, Jernigan, Stephens, Tolbert and Wells. Businesses listed include the Jot-Em-Down Store, Navarre Beach Plumbing and Frank’s Grocery.
Dr. Rucker, (left), was amused by John Tolbert’s one-page listing of all phone numbers in the Holley-Navarre area
Although businesses featured in that phone book, like Jot-Em-Down and Frank’s Grocery, no longer exist, the late Troy Grimes sketched his memories of those buildings and other bygone landmarks. His family published those sketches in a book, which was available at the event through his son, Monty, and daughter, Debbie Grimes-Lanham, who has written a local history book entitled “In the Pines Along the Bay,” which is available for purchase online. Her book includes stories about their family’s shipbuilding prior to construction of bridges. “To get to Pensacola was a real challenge,” her uncle is quoted saying, noting that it required catching a boat and, sometimes, an overnight stay before returning the next day. “You couldn’t take a horse and wagon because you’d have to cross the bay.”
Local author Debbie Grimes-Lanham, a Grimes/Rogers descendant
Kathleen Bunyan Passmore, a native of Holley who is passionate about preserving its history, also attended the event. Passmore runs a Facebook group called Holley, Florida: Now and Then, which has more than 3,000 members. She’s posted her photos from the event into an album avaiable in the public group, which is accessible via this link: Holley, Florida: Now and Then
Passmore (left), catching up with Steve Tolbert, brothers Ronnie & Randy Jernigan and Terry Stephens
Pam Tolbert and Judy Lewis Harvell
The reunion took place at the Dome at Holley Assembly, which has served as the heart of the community and the Precinct 10 polling site for generations.
The exquisite woodmanship inside the Dome can be seen in this photo. Families brought home-cooked recipes passed down for generations to the potluck luncheon.
Carolyn McLaughlin, a Wells descendant (center) and long-time teacher at Holley-Navarre Elementary, pictured with her former students (left to right): Wendy Harvell Lincoln, Shelly Harvell Lemberger, Romi Crain White and Victor Anderson.
Donna & Joey Tolbert talk with Lillian “Babe” Broxson
Bart Price (foreground) is a descendant of Jeff Tolbert, whose home still stands on Bob Tolbert Road, near present-day Parker family homes.
Ronny Jernigan, Jimmy Stephens, Chuck Walther (standing), and Norman Stephens
Reporter Pam Brannon (right) talks with Donna Sue Harvell and Sharon Jernigan Smith.
Brucie Broxson and his daughter, Lily, brought along her adorable son, Wade. Brucie is the son of the late Buddy Broxson of Holley and grandson of Faircloth Broxson, whose father, William Milton Broxson, lived and worked at Boiling Landing, and whose grandfather, Joseph R. Broxson, first settled on East Bay in the early 1860s, making Wade a 7th generation Santa Rosan.
