On Valentine’s Day, they have more than a love story to tell; they have many stories spanning 70 years.
Two Attala County couples celebrated their 70th wedding anniversaries during the past month. Each of the couples have stories to tell about the longevity of their “wedded bliss.”
The couples were honored with a joint reception and celebration at Kosciusko First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Jan. 20.
Sharing the celebration marking their marriage milestones were four 92-year-olds — Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ellison of Ethel and Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Jackson of Kosciusko.
Each couple lives independently and is active in the First Presbyterian Church and their communities. Both couples described their church as the “most loving and sweetest people.” They expressed their thanks and appreciation to the church for the reception held in their honor.
The Ellisons
“Give and take,” is what the Ellisons said has been the theme of their marriage and the glue that has kept them together since their January 19, 1949, marriage. The couple was wed in a ceremony at the teacherage in Stover, a small Delta town, where she was a teacher.
Both are retired teachers, but when they entered retirement, they took on another role. They moved to her native Attala County and began the task of remodeling and restoring the home built by her great-grandfather, William Mitchell Bell, located on the old Natchez Trace near Ethel. It had also been the home of her grandparents, Willie Thomas Bell and Carrie Caroline Crawford Bell.
Lyndol, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bell, grew up Lyndol, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bell, grew up living adjacent to her grandparents’ home and recalls frequent visits to the spot she and her husband now call home.
It did not take long for the couple to realize that retirement for them did not mean rest. They soon tackled the project of restoration, renovation and additions to the home. They now point with pride to their work as they enjoy the home, remembering the process and the work involved.
Lyndol began her teaching career at a two-room schoolhouse in the Tabernacle Community of Attala County, later moving to teaching positions in the Mississippi Delta, retiring from the classroom at a school in Rosedale.
Howard, a native of Tallahatchie County, began his teaching career after serving in the military with the Seabees and attending college. He retired from Coahoma Junior College, where he was an instructor in refrigeration and air conditioning.
“Every place we lived, I always made improvements as we made it our home,” said Lyndol. She recalled a time the couple lived in one big room at the back of a pool hall, which she transformed to suit their needs.
“We both worked, and when we got home in the afternoon, we were always glad to see each other,” said Lyndol.
Discuss your problems. Talk it out,” said Howard.
Both said they believe these practices contributed to their marriage of 70 years.
The couple’s children are Penny Zito of Pascagoula and Scottie Ellison of Memphis. They have three granddaughters and four great-grandchildren. One daughter and one granddaughter are teachers, following in the footsteps of parents and grandparents.
The Jacksons
“We are so blessed,” said Ramon and Sarah Frances “Snooks” Jackson of their 70 years of marriage.
Ramon said he does not recommend the approach he took on their first date, however.
“I was real romantic. I threw marshmallows at her on a hayride,” he said.
Both are natives of Kosciusko and graduates of Kosciusko High School; they boast of the distinction of never dating another with one exception. Ramon admits to a single at a school function while he was attending Mississippi State University.
Their marriage began Dec. 26, 1948, in a ceremony at the Williamsville Methodist Church.
We fell in love at that hayride,” Ramon said. Both said that along with being so blessed, they have had “ups and downs” with the “downs” not lasting very long.
You can’t wear your feelings on your shoulder,” said Ramon. Talking out problems is a good solution to most differences, they said.
After graduation from Mississippi State, Jackson became employed by Jordan Chevrolet selling automobiles for several years. He later became a salesman associated with Super Value and Sunflower Food Stores traveling 700 to 1,000 miles each week. Being stopped by the same highway patrolman for speeding on two occasions on Friday afternoon attests to his being anxious to reach home.
Trips provided by his employer have taken them to London, Hawaii, Las Vegas and many other locations. “We have had many good vacations,” Snooks said.
Sarah said her nickname of “Snooks” came from a radio program character and was given to her by her father. Her parents were Clara and Shelley Stonestreet, Sr.
“Love each other and say it often,” said Snooks.
"I agree,” said Ramon.
oth recommended starting marriage with going to church.
The couple’s children are Rhonda Johnson and Ray Jackson, Jr. of Gluckstadt. They have four grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
