Family is at the core of Vicki’s life. She is a descendant of Frederick Gist. The 

great-great-granddaughter of Frederick Gist and Annie (Simms) Gist. The great-

granddaughter of Emma Glenn and Edward Gist. The granddaughter of Aileen Gist

Gallman and Willie Gallman, and the daughter of Carolyn Gist Gallman Miller.

She is the proud mother of four daughters, Latoya Pouncey-Williams, Latasha

Pouncey, Brittny, and Courtney Baxter. She adores her eight grandchildren. Her deep-

rooted belief in the importance of education was passed down from her mother who

instilled the understanding that education is a gift that can never be taken away.

Vicki is a true Buffalonian born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She has worked

in education for nearly three decades starting as a teacher aide and currently serving as

an assistant principal for the district. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from

Buffalo State College in education and holds advanced certifications in Educational

Leadership from Canisius College. She is continuing her educational goals at D’Youville College.

Beyond her educational pursuits, Vicki is actively engaged with the community,

volunteering with None Like You Ministries collaborating and supporting Ms. Elizabeth

Triggs to support families and children in Buffalo. She was the business owner of

several beauty salons and barbershops and operates her own property management/real estate company.

Vicki is an active member of the Renovation Church of Buffalo. She is involved in

leadership and the decision-making process by overseeing the prayer team and chaired

the search committee in selecting their new lead pastor. Her faith is demonstrated in her

walk with God and worship. She lives a life of service and gratitude fully aware of God’s

grace and unconditional love, inspiring her to share that love with others.

During the 2016 reunion in Atlanta, Georgia Vicki agreed to host the family

reunion in Buffalo, New York for 2024. At the time, she did not realize the level of

commitment needed for a successful reunion. She enjoyed many reunions in the past and the opportunity to reunite with family from across the country. She understood the

importance of family and family reunions. When Bryan Gallman the former GNFR

president mentioned the desire to create a scholarship fund for the family she accepted

the challenge and the first scholarships were awarded to two family members at the

50th Gist Family Reunion in Spartanburg/Greenville, SC in 2022. She led the Buffalo team for a successful reunion in 2024 and accepted the nomination to become the next

president of the Gist National Family Reunion. She counts it an honor and privilege to serve her family in this new leadership role.

Lena Guice, the great-great-great granddaughter of Frederick Gist. Great-great granddaughter of James Edward Gist, and great granddaughter of Willam Gist-Guest who was the father of Cora L Guest, her maternal grandmother. 

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Lena is the eldest of three children. She has resided in the Atlanta, GA area  since 2003 and has been married to Tony Guice for over 25 years with one child. Their daughter, Alexia  Guice, is one of the first recipients of the Gist National Family Reunion Scholarship in 2022 who now studies  at the University of Alabama majoring in Mechanical Engineering.  

Lena accepted Christ at the age of 14 and is a licensed Evangelist having served in ministry in various  capacities including teaching, exhortation, foreign missions, healing, and community outreach. She also  enjoys writing and has copywritten the stage play “Prodigal Son” of which she hopes to produce when  time permits. She and her husband Tony also serve together as owners of World Campus Connections (WCC), a global Christian non-profit organization dedicated to providing a warm and welcoming space for  students and young adults ages 14-26 to explore their faith, learn life skills, connect with others, and grow  in their relationship with God. Lena has overcome many obstacles and has a heart for sharing hope when  all seems lost.  

Lena earned a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Wayne State University and has  over 30 years of dedicated work experience. She and her family have been blessed to travel to all 50 States  within the U.S. including Hawaii and believe God will use that experience as preparation to open many  more doors for full-time ministry both domestically and abroad in the near future. Lena absolutely loves  engaging with others, laughing, consuming and making gourmet popcorn, visiting Original Benjamins in  Myrtle Beach, SC. Lena considers herself an eternal optimist who can see the bright side of anything and  the best of anybody. 

In support of our current President, Vicki Gallman Baxter, former President Bryan Gallman and all the trailblazers who have sustained the history of our family legacy for over 50 years; it is an honor to continue  the preservation of more than 200 years of known genealogical ancestry as the Vice President of the Gist  National Family Reunion.