Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Wedding Wednesday: Sullivan Golden Anniversary

Wedding Wednesday is a daily prompt at Geneabloggers that invites bloggers to display their ancestors’ old wedding photos, wedding invitations, and wedding announcements.


Laura and Will Sullivan Anniversary 1936 https://jollettetc.blogspot.com
Doris Jean Strole, Laura and Will Sullivan, Jimmie Morris

A visit with my mother’s 2nd cousins Mary Lee Upton and Phyllis Carruthers, daughters of Elta Sullivan Farrar, solved the mystery of this photo. I had thought these were Sullivan grandchildren but they were not. The children were dressed to represent Laura and Will on their wedding day. The occasion was the Sullivans' 50th anniversary, an event that warranted detailed coverage in the local newspaper, The Page News and Courier


courtesy of
Mary Lee Upton
Golden Wedding

The adult Bible Class of the United Brethren Church, Shenandoah, Virginia, gave Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Sullivan a surprise celebration in honor of their golden Wedding anniversary at the church January 14, 1936.

The couple were met at the church door by a youthful bride and groom, Doris Jean Strole [niece of Pearl Sullivan Strole] and Jimmie Morrison [possibly Jimmie MORRIS, Laura’s great nephew], who escorted them to their seats to the strains of Mendelsohn’s Wedding March and sang “Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet.”

The choir then sang “Love’s Old Sweet Song.”

“Down By the Old Mill Stream” was beautifully rendered by Maxine Strole [g
randdaughter].

A reading, “Why We Go To Church,” was given by Miss Frances Knipple.

“When you and I Were Young, Laura,” was sung by the choir.

The couple’s Love Story was told, closing with Riley’s lovely poem, “That Old Sweetheart of Mine,” by Miss Fannie Louderback.

“Silver Threads Among the Gold” was sung by Mrs. Miller Davis and Mrs. Forest Racey [
daughter Leota].

A beautiful family Bible, a gift from the Sunday School, was presented with an appropriate speech by Rev. Lee E. Sheaffer.

Then everyone was invited to the basement, where refreshments were served. The tables were artistically decorated, carrying out the color scheme of white and gold in the bride’s cake, candles, and favors.

Rev. Sheaffer made a jolly little speech and called on many others who responded with cheer and good wishes to the couple. Mr. Sullivan expressed his thanks and appreciation for the happy evening.

Many merry jingles were sung and time passed all too quickly bringing the parting hour.

Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan (nee Miss Laura Jollett) were born and reared near Swift Run, Virginia.

They were married fifty years ago, by Reverend Garrison at the bride’s home near Swift Run, January 14, 1886.

Their four children are: Mrs. J. W. Breeden, Roanoke; Mrs. Lewis Farris [should be FARRAR], of Shenandoah, Mrs. Forest Racey, of Rockingham, and Miss Floral Sullivan at home. [there were 5 children – Mrs. Clyde Strole was omitted]

Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have lived many years in Shenandoah where they are loved and respected by a host of friends.


Wendy 
© 2016, Wendy Mathias. All rights reserved.

14 comments:

  1. Don't you just love these special news stories?! The fifth child would have been a little miffed I imagine, or was it a deliberate slight.

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    1. I doubt it was a deliberate slight. The sisters were very close. The reporter obviously didn't know the family, which is rather surprising in a town where everyone knew everyone.

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  2. 50th anniversary! That's a special day to celebrate & it is wonderful that you uncovered the newspaper article to explain that photograph of the day.

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    1. I am glad Laura and Will's granddaughters let me borrow the scrapbook filled with family memorabilia.

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  3. What a delightful surprise that must have been for the couple :) Sounded like a wonderful celebration of 50 years of married life!

    betty

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    1. Wasn't it though?! It's one thing to have cake and punch for a surprise party, but to put together a full program of songs and readings is something else. The church members must have loved Laura and Will.

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  4. A happy event for them, but Will he could smile just a tad, but the others are really seeming to enjoy the photo moment!

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    1. I actually have ONE photo of Will smiling.

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  5. I love newspapers! I have an article about my 2nd great grandparents' silver wedding anniversary celebration complete with gifts they received along with the names of those they received them from. So fun to read about their children (my great grandmother) giving them a set of silverware only to find one of the forks at my mother's house complete with the date engraved on it.

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    1. I guess knowing your name and gift would be in the paper might make you buy a better gift. Oh the peer pressure!

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  6. What a cute thing to do for a 50th anniversary! Newspapers are my absolute favorite thing!

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    1. I was surprised to learn there were singers in the family.

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  7. What a wonderful surprise, and the fact that it is captured in both an article and photo is fantastic.

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    1. Certainly the newspaper article brought it all together for me.

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