Millers in Love - Mary Kathaleen Miller and Roger Bruce Simmons

As I was getting ready to write this post about my parents, Bruce and Kat, I realized I didn't really know about their courting or wedding days.  Be sure to ask your own parents about their courtship before it's too late!!

It was a gorgeous day in west Florida in May, 1953, when Mom and Dad tied the knot.  Both being raised in Vernon, Mom and Dad knew of each from their school days, but since Dad was a few years older, they didn't run in the same circles and had never dated. 

Dad had already joined the Navy and was stationed at Milton;  Mom was still in school.  Dad was home one weekend when he and his friends had gone to a school basketball game where Mom was cheerleading.  She noticed him and mentioned to a girlfriend she thought he was really cute and would like to date him.

Shortly after, Dad's brother, Skeet, who was in Mom's class, set up a date for them.  Unfortunately, Dad never arrived.  Because there were no phone lines out in the country (where Mom lived), he couldn't call her to tell her he couldn't get off the base that night.  He called Skeet and asked him to drive out to the country and tell her.  When he got there, Mom was ready to go but didn't have a date.  Mom's not one to pass up a good time so she just went out with Skeet and his friends.

Several weeks later, Mom had to go to town for an errand for her father and she saw Dad at McFatter's store. They talked a few minutes and scheduled another date.

After several months of dating, they knew they were destined to marry.  The big day was May 31, 1953 at the New Hope Methodist Church in New Hope. 

The ceremony was held at the New Hope Methodist Church in New Hope.  Mom's sister, Louise, was the maid of honor.  When I asked about the best man, Mom couldn't remember who it was.  The ceremony was officiated by Brother Guy.   There was no reception or honeymoon.  After the wedding they went to their folks' homes to say goodbye, changing their clothes and getting their suitcases.  Mom also mentioned that when they went to Dad's parent's house, Granny Simmons had baked a cake to take with them (I'll almost bet it was a coconut cake!!) 

A copy of their Marriage License lists the witnesses as Mrs. J. C. Guy and James Kenneth McFatter.

Millers in Love - R.C. (Rosewell or Dick) Miller and Madeline Register Miller

R. C. (Rosewell) Miller and Madeline Register were married on April 15, 1933 in Vernon, Florida.  Witnesses were J. T. Hightower and Herbert Johnson.  The ceremony was conducted by C. R. Melvin, Justice of the Peace.

I talked to Joe (R.C. and Madeline's son) and he didn't know whether his parents had a church ceremony or were married at the Courthouse.

They were always a beautiful couple!

Millers in Love ~ A Valentine's Day Challenge

This is a challenge to all family members.  In recognition of Valentine's Day, I would like to post our Miller love stories!  Between now and February 1, I would like each of you to write a short story describing how you or your Miller parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, really any Miller family member found each other, courted, fell in love and married.  If all you  have is a wedding picture or even a newspaper announcement, that would be great also. 

To give you an example, here is a recitation by Grandaddy (Warren Miller) and how he found Granny (Thelma):

In June, 1922, I went to Gore, Oklahoma to build a bridge across the Arkansas River.  I first stayed in Gore, Oklahoma and in July, 1922, I moved across the river to Webbers Fall, Oklahoma.  I was living with Mr. John Wooly and his wife Mrs. Alma Wooly and they was sure fine people.

In August 22, 1922 I was invited to a young lady's birthday party.  It was her 18th birthday.  I met her and her name was Thelma T. Tittle.  So I dated and courted her until March 14, 1923.  We got married on March 14, 1923, at Muscogee, Oklahoma.  We continued to live with Mr. and Mrs. Wolly until the last of April 1923.  We went to Lawrenceville, Illinois.

Direct and to the point ~ that was Grandaddy!!  But, what great information he provided.  He wrote quite a bit more that some of you may have seen at prior reunions and I'll definitely share here soon.

Gather up your stories, pictures, documents and anything else you care to share for our Valentine month postings!  I need everyone's help to get these stories out there!!  E-mail them to me at tanya-we@hotmail.com.  If you have a picture or document that's not scanned, let me know and we'll figure out how to get it done so we can post it.  If you know a relative that's not following the blog or doesn't use the computer, then submit their story for them.  It would be great if we could amass enough stories for each day in February!!

By the way, I have several marriage certificates I ordered from the Washington County Clerk's office several years back and will share those during February.