Lillards to celebrate 50th anniversary, 80th birthday (2002-05-15)
Ray and Barbara (Anderson) Lillard of Maryville will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and also Mr. Lillard's 80th birthday with a reception May 19 from 3-5 p.m. at Clover Hill Presbyterian Church. Hostesses will be Eva Anderson, Alice Johnston and Rebecca Williams.
The couple request that gifts be omitted.
The Lillards were married June 3, 1952. Mr. Lillard was born May 21, 1922.
Mr. Lillard, a veteran of World War II, was a teacher, coach and athletic director for the Blount County School System for 30 years. Mrs. Lillard served as pastor's secretary at New Providence Presbyterian Church for 30 years and retired as secretary at Maryville High School.
Bensons to celebrate 60th anniversary (2002-05-15)
Harvey and Irene (Spangler) Benson of Maryville will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Sunday, May 19 with a reception for their friends and family hosted by Bill and Nancy Benson, from 2:30-4 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. They request that gifts be omitted.
The couple were married May 14, 1942 in Chatsworth, Ga. The Rev. J.W. Dooley officiated.
Their family includes son and daughter-in-law Bill and Nancy Benson of Maryville.
Mr. Benson is retired from Maryville College. Mrs. Benson is retired from Blount County School Service.
They are members of Pleasant Hill Church.
Hursts celebrate 65th anniversary (2002-10-09)
The Rev. Elmer and Margie (Lawson) Hurst of Maryville celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a family dinner Oct. 6 at the home of their daughter, Mary L. Walker.
The couple were married Oct. 3, 1937 at Pigeon Forge.
Their family includes children Edith L. Newport of Maryville, Mary L. Walker of Maryville and John H. Hurst of Louisville. They have three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Hurst is a retired Baptist minister. Mrs. Hurst is a housewife.
Stricklands married 50 years (2002-10-02)
Kenneth and Wilma Strickland of Maryville will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception given by their children from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at Six Mile Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. All friends and relatives are invited to attend.
The couple asks that gifts be omitted, saying ``Your presence is gift enough."
The Stricklands were married Oct. 2, 1952 in Rossville, Ga. Herman O. Bowman officiated.
Their family includes children Debi Teffeteller, Vickie Emert, Kim Chapman, Kelly Russell and Kevin Strickland, all of Maryville. They have 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Strickland is retired from BTR. Mrs. Strickland is employed at Wal-mart.
They are members of Six Mile Baptist Church.
McFarlands celebrate golden anniversary (2002-10-02)
The Rev. and Mrs. Gerald Hart McFarland (Martha Helen Clayman) celebrated their 50th anniversary with a family gathering in Williamsburg, Va., at Christiana Campbell's Tavern in the historic area. A trip to Canada in July was also a part of their celebration.
The McFarlands were married Sept. 13, 1952 at Mafair United Methodist Church in Kingsport. The Rev. George Harr and the Rev. Herbert D. Hart, uncle of the groom, performed the ceremony.
Their family includes Larry McFarland of Westmoreland, N.H., and Paul and Karen McFarland of Timberlake, N.C. They have two grandsons, Eric McFarland of Lexington, N.C., and Jason McFarland of Raleigh, N.C.
Mr. McFarland is a retired United Methodist minister, having served over 40 years in the Holston Conference. He presently serves as part-time minister of visitation at Second United Methodist Church in Knoxville. Mrs. McFarland is a retired secretary.
