On Sunday, July 10, Mae Carolyn and Joseph Williams, Jr. celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with 150 family members and friends at the Club at Andrews on the Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Md. The actual anniversary date was Saturday, July 2. Mae Carolyn and Joseph Williams, Jr. are residents of Mitchellville, Md.

They both graduated from North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. Mae Carolyn was born in Mill Spring, N.C. and Joseph was born in Wilson, N.C. On Saturday, July 2, 1966 they were married at the Stony Knoll CME Church in Mill Spring, N.C. Mrs. Della H. Jackson was the wedding coordinator and the mother of the bride. Rev. David Reynolds performed the marriage ceremony. He was the former pastor of the church.

At their 50th wedding anniversary celebration, their daughter, Tiffany Jennings, served as mistress of ceremonies. She welcomed the 150 guests to her parents’ golden wedding anniversary celebration. Then Mae Carolyn and Joseph were presented to their guests while the song “Inseparable,” by Natalie Cole, was sung by Raimon Jackson.

Mae Carolyn and Joseph Williams’ golden wedding anniversary celebration included three parts: the reaffirmation ceremony, the dinner, and the merrymaking. Each part was very important in making the celebration a wonderful event.

The reaffirmation ceremony began with the song, “Total Praise,” which was sung by Lisa Davis. The scriptures were read by Rev. Ronald Triplett, their pastor at Gethsemane United Methodist Church in Capitol Heights, Md. The prayer was given by Rev. Dr. Frederick Hancock and the choral “Lord’s Prayer” was sung by Carolyn Wilson.

Then it was time for the reaffirmation of their wedding vows. The reaffirmation ceremony was officiated by their former pastor, Rev. G. Sylvester Gaines. The attendants in the reaffirmation ceremony were their daughters Tiffany Jennings and Zina Pender; son, Joseph Patrick Williams; grandson, Marcus Williams; and granddaughter, Nia Williams. After the vows, the song “Thank You Lord” was sung by Lisa Davis and all who were present.

The dinner time began with a grace given by Lenward Hood, a family friend and college classmate. The dinner was a delicious plated meal of green salad, stuffed chicken breast and ham, green beans, cubed roasted red potatoes, rolls, ice cream with cherries, tea, and coffee. The plated meals were placed in front of the guests on round tables with ten guests sitting at each table. The tables were covered with gold tablecloths accompanied by gold napkins. The centerpieces for the tables were white flowers in gold vases. The decorated tables were beautiful.

The merrymaking began with the presentation of three very informative and interesting tributes. The first tribute was about the wedding that was held on Saturday, July 2, 1966 and this tribute was given by Timothy McIntosh, a friend of the family who was Joseph’s high school classmate, college mate, and a groomsman in the wedding.

The second tribute was about the Williams’ life after the wedding until the present time and this tribute was given by Dorothy Stubbs, a friend of the family for 47 years and member of their church. The third tribute was about their family life and what it was like growing up in the Williams’ household and this tribute was given by their son, Joseph Patrick Williams.  A toast followed which was given by Anne Harding a high school classmate of Joseph’s and an attendee at the wedding in 1966.

Next, the golden bride and groom toasted each other and cut the golden anniversary cake. A special dance followed for the golden bride and groom to the song “I Love You for Sentimental Reasons” by Sam Cooke. The golden bride and groom began dancing with each other. Then their grandson and granddaughter danced with them.  Next their son and daughter danced with them.

The second special dance was a dance of all couples present who were married for 50 years or more. These couples danced to the song “Nothing Can Change this Love” by Sam Cooke. There were 16 couples who danced. The third special dance was a dance of the all couples married for 49 years and less. They danced to the song “All of My Love Belongs to You” by Sam Cooke.  After that, the dance floor was opened to all who were present.

It was a joyous and memorable golden wedding anniversary celebration for the golden couple and the guests.

– article submitted by Mae Carolyn Williams