WEDDINGS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Helen and Gene Matthews 50th Wedding Anniversary
Helen Lyles, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie C. Lyles and Eugene F. Matthews were married on June 1, 1955. They had a small wedding at that time; Helen’s parents and Gene’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Matthews, Helen’s brother Johnny Lyles, who was nine years old at that time and Gene’s sister Peggy Matthews, who was six years old were the guests at their marriage. Gus O’Connor and Dorothy Matthews stood as witnesses for them.
This year, on June 4, 2005, they once again stood together, at the Grace United Methodist Church, in Monrovia, after 50 years together and renewed their marriage vows. Gene and Helen wanted to renew these vows with their family and friends and to do so with a full wedding service. They recited their own special vows after the pastor had finished his ceremony.
The music they chose is a song by Josh Groban called You Raise Me Up. Helen said “this is a special song about being strong when I am on your shoulders” and is a reflection of their life together.
Grandson’s Josh and Ben performed the lighting of the candles, Holly Regina and Terrie served while Annie took care of the registry book. Mark recorded a video of the ceremony and party and he and Josh took pictures.
Our daughter Terrie and David Riggs; their children Ben & Annie; our son Mark and Regina Matthews with their children Josh & Holly were all present. Some of the other guests in attendance (sixty five in all), were Dot Wesson, from Oxford, OH; Jean and Bill Davis from Indiana; Grace and Joe Reeves from Nashville, TN; Helen’s sister, Jean Carroll, from Killen, AL; Doris and Johnny Lyles, Helen’s brother, from Lawrenceburg, TN; Andy, Laurie and Maggie Lyles, Lawrenceburg, TN; Marjorie and Floyd Butler, friends from our dating days, from Athens, AL. Most of the other guests were friends and neighbors from Huntsville, AL, where they have lived since 1962.
A few close friends from the Grace United Methodist Church also attended.
This year, on June 4, 2005, they once again stood together, at the Grace United Methodist Church, in Monrovia, after 50 years together and renewed their marriage vows. Gene and Helen wanted to renew these vows with their family and friends and to do so with a full wedding service. They recited their own special vows after the pastor had finished his ceremony.
The music they chose is a song by Josh Groban called You Raise Me Up. Helen said “this is a special song about being strong when I am on your shoulders” and is a reflection of their life together.
Grandson’s Josh and Ben performed the lighting of the candles, Holly Regina and Terrie served while Annie took care of the registry book. Mark recorded a video of the ceremony and party and he and Josh took pictures.
Our daughter Terrie and David Riggs; their children Ben & Annie; our son Mark and Regina Matthews with their children Josh & Holly were all present. Some of the other guests in attendance (sixty five in all), were Dot Wesson, from Oxford, OH; Jean and Bill Davis from Indiana; Grace and Joe Reeves from Nashville, TN; Helen’s sister, Jean Carroll, from Killen, AL; Doris and Johnny Lyles, Helen’s brother, from Lawrenceburg, TN; Andy, Laurie and Maggie Lyles, Lawrenceburg, TN; Marjorie and Floyd Butler, friends from our dating days, from Athens, AL. Most of the other guests were friends and neighbors from Huntsville, AL, where they have lived since 1962.
A few close friends from the Grace United Methodist Church also attended.
Grace (Matthews) and Joe Reeves 50th Wedding Anniversary
Written by Dot Wesson
A beautiful day dawned in Nashville, TN, on June 19, 2004. On Broadview Drive, for Joe and Grace Reeves, a signal moment in their marriage began: their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
As on most Saturday mornings, they were to meet their daughter Danette and her husband Ken Waugh for breakfast at one of Nashville’s Cracker Barrel restaurants. But this Saturday saw the arrival also of their son Marvin and grandson John, as well as Grace’s sister Dot. Breakfast was a joyous even on this day of days.
Later other Reeves and Matthews family members, friends, and former co-workers were in the process of gathering in the Narthex of St. Ignatius Church for a renewal of vows and reception. The hall had been decorated by Danette with some assistance from various family members and several friends. Tables wore a covering of white and gold. On each table were votive candles, tiny bells, crystal baubles and a golden balloon arrangement.
Near the door on a smaller table were a guest book, lamp, picture of the wedding in 1954, and an arrangement of colorful cut flowers.
A larger table contained a beautiful cake surrounded by white netting atop random height supports. The cake was made by Joe’s sister Doris and transported from Lexington, TN by Doris and her daughter Pam. Bowls of mixed nuts and punch were also available for the seventy guests.
For the renewal of vows, the altar was ringed by fifty lighted candles. Ferns were banked beneath the candles. For the ceremony, Father John Hendrick, the pastor, and the bride and groom stood in front of the candles. Grace was attired in a three- piece suit in flowing scarlet and Joe wore a navy suit. Both bride and groom wore small floral arrangements designed and made by Danette, who also made arrangements for the three children and all the grandchildren. Each of the three families had one different color of flowers to identify his or her family. White flowers were included in the arrangements worn by Mike, Cathy, Melissa, Elizabeth, Ashley and Valerie. Great Grand-daughter Ramsee Barbie was also in attendance. Marvin and Tanya, along with their sons John, his wife Jenny, and Tyler wore arrangements including gold flowers. Danette, Ken, J.D., and Ann Marie had arrangements with blue flowers.
Guests included Grace’s brother Gene, his wife Helen, and their daughter Terri, her husband David and Children Ben and Annie; Grace’s sister Edith and her daughter Barbara; Grace’s sister Dot; Joe’s sister Doris and her daughter Pam; church members, Broadview Drive neighbors, former co-workers of both Joe and Grace, even Joe’s therapist from an earlier hospitalization.
There was no doubt in the minds of the guests that this celebration was truly a happy occasion. Delight and joy abounded representing the best in marriage. Grace’s and Joe’s marriage was and continues to be one of note.
As on most Saturday mornings, they were to meet their daughter Danette and her husband Ken Waugh for breakfast at one of Nashville’s Cracker Barrel restaurants. But this Saturday saw the arrival also of their son Marvin and grandson John, as well as Grace’s sister Dot. Breakfast was a joyous even on this day of days.
Later other Reeves and Matthews family members, friends, and former co-workers were in the process of gathering in the Narthex of St. Ignatius Church for a renewal of vows and reception. The hall had been decorated by Danette with some assistance from various family members and several friends. Tables wore a covering of white and gold. On each table were votive candles, tiny bells, crystal baubles and a golden balloon arrangement.
Near the door on a smaller table were a guest book, lamp, picture of the wedding in 1954, and an arrangement of colorful cut flowers.
A larger table contained a beautiful cake surrounded by white netting atop random height supports. The cake was made by Joe’s sister Doris and transported from Lexington, TN by Doris and her daughter Pam. Bowls of mixed nuts and punch were also available for the seventy guests.
For the renewal of vows, the altar was ringed by fifty lighted candles. Ferns were banked beneath the candles. For the ceremony, Father John Hendrick, the pastor, and the bride and groom stood in front of the candles. Grace was attired in a three- piece suit in flowing scarlet and Joe wore a navy suit. Both bride and groom wore small floral arrangements designed and made by Danette, who also made arrangements for the three children and all the grandchildren. Each of the three families had one different color of flowers to identify his or her family. White flowers were included in the arrangements worn by Mike, Cathy, Melissa, Elizabeth, Ashley and Valerie. Great Grand-daughter Ramsee Barbie was also in attendance. Marvin and Tanya, along with their sons John, his wife Jenny, and Tyler wore arrangements including gold flowers. Danette, Ken, J.D., and Ann Marie had arrangements with blue flowers.
Guests included Grace’s brother Gene, his wife Helen, and their daughter Terri, her husband David and Children Ben and Annie; Grace’s sister Edith and her daughter Barbara; Grace’s sister Dot; Joe’s sister Doris and her daughter Pam; church members, Broadview Drive neighbors, former co-workers of both Joe and Grace, even Joe’s therapist from an earlier hospitalization.
There was no doubt in the minds of the guests that this celebration was truly a happy occasion. Delight and joy abounded representing the best in marriage. Grace’s and Joe’s marriage was and continues to be one of note.
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WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT
Emma Jo Wright and William James Rogers
Emma Jo Wright and William James Rogers, both of Bradley, IL, announce their approaching marriage. A June 12, 2010 wedding is planned in Lawrenceburg, TN in an outdoor ceremony at the residence of the bride’s aunt and uncle, Jane and Burtis Harlan. Jesse Clayton, the bride’s cousin, will perform the ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Janice Perry and Richard Wright, both of Kankakee. The bride is the granddaughter of Georgia Perry of Lawrenceburg, TN and the late Glynn Perry, and Thyra Wright of Park Forest, IL and the late Curtis Wright. The groom is the son of Vicky Quakenbush of Kankakee and Kelly Rogers of Watseka. The groom is the grandson of Nancy and Gene Quakenbush of Watseka, IL, and the late Eleanor and James Rogers.
Maid of honor is Rachel Wright, the bride’s sister. Matron of Honor is Jane Harlan, the bride’s aunt. Best man is Gene Quakenbush, the groom’s grandfather. Groomsman is Burtis Harlan, the bride’s uncle.
A reception is planned at the residence of the bride’s aunt and uncle, Jane and Burtis Harlan, immediately following the wedding ceremony where guests will enjoy a Southern barbecue buffet, cake, and sweet tea.
The bride is a 2004 graduate of Kankakee High School in Kankakee, IL. The groom is a 1997 graduate of Iroquois West High School in Gilman, IL. He is currently employed as a courier for FedEx Express.
A honeymoon will be taken to Savannah, Georgia.
The bride is the daughter of Janice Perry and Richard Wright, both of Kankakee. The bride is the granddaughter of Georgia Perry of Lawrenceburg, TN and the late Glynn Perry, and Thyra Wright of Park Forest, IL and the late Curtis Wright. The groom is the son of Vicky Quakenbush of Kankakee and Kelly Rogers of Watseka. The groom is the grandson of Nancy and Gene Quakenbush of Watseka, IL, and the late Eleanor and James Rogers.
Maid of honor is Rachel Wright, the bride’s sister. Matron of Honor is Jane Harlan, the bride’s aunt. Best man is Gene Quakenbush, the groom’s grandfather. Groomsman is Burtis Harlan, the bride’s uncle.
A reception is planned at the residence of the bride’s aunt and uncle, Jane and Burtis Harlan, immediately following the wedding ceremony where guests will enjoy a Southern barbecue buffet, cake, and sweet tea.
The bride is a 2004 graduate of Kankakee High School in Kankakee, IL. The groom is a 1997 graduate of Iroquois West High School in Gilman, IL. He is currently employed as a courier for FedEx Express.
A honeymoon will be taken to Savannah, Georgia.
Holly Elizabeth Matthews and Lt. 2nd Class Kevin Jacob Mudd
Holly Elizabeth Matthews married 2LT Kevin Jacob Mudd, April 27, 2013. Kevin is from Mt. Juliet, TN. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO and is stationed at Beale Air Force Base near Sacramento, CA. Kevin is also a graduate from pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base in MS. Holl is a graduate of Pivot Point International School of Cosmetology. Holly is the daughter of Regina and Mark E. Matthews and granddaughter of Helen and Eugene (Gene) F. Matthews.