Jerry and Orelia King celebrated their 60th anniversary on Sept. 14, 2013, with a backyard cook out with their family.
Their son, David and Sandy King and grandchildren, Savannah King, Sarah King, Garrett King and great-grandchild Corwin Cozad, all of Gainesville, Ga., and daughter Jerri Lea and Jay English, of Lin Creek, Mo., and granddaughter Jordan Shackelford, of Lake Ozark, Mo., assisted with the event.
The Kings were honored by the presence of 111 other guests, many of whom traveled from out of state to attend the event.
Guests who came the farthest for the event include cousins Vivian Ashley, of Kingswood, Texas, Paul and Ann Thomas, of Houston, Texas, Michael and Karen Thomas, of Taylor, Texas, Dianne Gibson, of Saraland, Al., Anita Keith, Sharpsurg, Ga., Kurt, Melissa, Mitch and Ryan of Lagrange Ga., Tony and Johanna Holbrook, Crawfordville, Fla., Scott, Michelle and Haley Knox, Tallahassee, Fla., and lifelong friend Joan Gulick, of Memphis, Tenn.
The cookout consisted of a freshly caught mullet from the bay in their own backyard by neighbor and friend Carlton Wells.
The tables were decorated with amber tablecloths, golden chrysanthemums and vintage amber glassware. The sun setting over East Bay served as a backdrop.
A video of the couple’s life together was presented by their granddaughter Savannah King. Their granddaughter Sarah King took photos of the event.
Messages of love and appreciation were given to the couple by their son and daughter.
Jerry spoke to the crowd about their meager beginnings with a wedding in a court house in Brewton, Al., where Orelia’s grandfather’s friend, a Methodist minister, expectantly showed up to perform the ceremony. Jerry said the marriage began with $40 and a wonderful life has resulted.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Kings celebrate 60th anniversary