It all started on February 6, 1965, on a blind date in New Orleans, La., instigated by mutual friends, Alton & Betty Jo Sample.
It didn't take long for both of us to know this was a relationship we wanted to see develop.
Dick soon introduced me to his special friends, the McGee's and Morris's, and after a few months, with the men's prompting, he proposed. Without needing their urging, I accepted.
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| This was taken the weekend Dick proposed at the home of Derry & Dora McGee in Kentwood, LA. |
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A few months later, on September 4, 1965, we were married at the church my dad pastored, First Baptist Church of Pine Prairie, LA, with both my sisters as attendants.
This post is a picture overload of most of these years, registering changes and events that have made these 60 years so memorable.
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As there was no money or time for a honeymoon, two days later, we moved into our little duplex apartment in New Iberia to begin serving full-time as Minister of Music and Youth in our 1st church field at Highland Baptist Church.
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One of many duets through the years.
After serving at Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia for 11 months, we were called to the First Baptist Church in Houma in 1966, which was further south on the intercoastal canal.
After 11 months here, we moved with our cat Neiko #1 to the North Orange Baptist Church in Orange, TX, in 1967, where we served for almost two years. It was here that we conceived our first child.
1968 - Our couple friends, Derry & Dora Magee and Bill & Velta Morris, came to Orange, TX, to inspect the union they had helped create. I think they were pleased with the results, and until Derry's death, they all still remain dear and precious friends.
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| In June 1969, we moved to Bastrop, LA, in time for John Marcus to be born on August 22. Dick was still serving as Minister of Music and Youth. Those were busy days. |
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 | | Our little family was completed on April 21, 1971, with the birth of Christina Elizabeth (Christy). |
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| In 1972, our church gifted us with a trip to the Holy Land. |
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| In 1973, Dick began serving full-time as just the Minister of Music. |
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1974 meant kindergarten for John and a mustache and sideburns for Dick
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| 1975 - One of many themed Youth Sweetheart Banquets |
1988 - Christy's wedding
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1990- A trip with my parents, Poppa & Larla to Creed, Co. One of the most memorable times.
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| May 11, 1999 - Birth of 4th Grandchild, Savannah |
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| 1999 - 30th anniversary at FBC Bastrop |
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| 2000 - Our final banquet at FBC Bastrop |
Oct 5, 2000 - Birth of 4th Grandchild, Mary-Elizabeth  |
2001 - Alaskan Cruise
2002 - Christy & Chuck's wedding and a new granddaughter, Emily
2002 - After 33 1/2 years of service at FBC Bastrop, it was time to retire and see what else God had planned for us.
In June, we moved to be near John and his family in Shreveport, LA, and closer to Christy and her family, who lived in the Dallas area.
 | | 2003 - We soon found that God was not finished with Dick and gave him 8 more years of some of the sweetest years of his ministry at Greenwood Baptist Church. |
2004 - We took our four oldest grands to Branson and Silver Dollar City. Precious memories!
2005 - A family gathering at our home in Shreveport
July 28, 2005 - Death of my mother, "Larla" Laura Colvin Lazenby |
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| Oct 17, 2006 - Birth of final grand, Ava Grace, |
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| Christmas 2007 - with John's family in Slidell, LA, the beginning of a new tradition |
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| 2008 |
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2009 - Family reunion in Shreveport
 | | 2010 - Christmas in Granger, IN |
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| 2011 - Attending one of many of Savannah's soccer games |
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| 2012 |
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| 2013 - Band recital for Savannah and Mary-Elizabeth, Granger, IN |
2014 - Attended Glen & Tracy's wedding in Maryland before taking an extended trip to Niagara Falls, through Michigan, and ending up at John's for a couple of weeks to celebrate our anniversary. 2015 - We hosted our 50th wedding anniversary celebration at our home in Shreveport, LA with most of our family attending.
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Jan 1, 2016 - The family gathered to watch Jackson and the undefeated WMU Broncos play Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl. How exciting was that!
2017 - We enjoyed a wonderful few days on Mackinac Island, MI, before spending a few weeks with John and family in Granger, IN
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2018 - Our final duet, FBC Shreveport, "Fiddler on the Roof" (with me singing bass)
2019 - The family at Emily's wedding
2020 - Dick's 80th BD & our 55th wedding anniversary party at Christy's
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| Oct 10, 2020 - Dick performed the wedding ceremony for Jackson & McKenna, Granger, IN |
While attending Jackson's and McKenna's wedding, Dick and I agreed with Christy that it was time we moved closer to either her or John, as "we were getting older." After Dick and I got home, we had a plan laid out that was quickly put into action. Due to the long winters in Indiana, it was decided to move to the Dallas area with long summers instead. Our house in Shreveport sold in one day, and we were left to find a place to live in Texas.
Dec. 29, 2020 - We moved into the home God had been saving for us in The Village at Prestonwood.
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Christmas 2020 - As we couldn't get movers until after Christmas, we enjoyed
Christmas with Christy's family
2021 - Dick performed the wedding for our nephew Lee Wyant and his beautiful bride, Jacqueline, at their wonderful North Arkansas cabin.
2022 - The big events were the births of our 1st two great-grandchildren, Landon Cunningham on April 6 and Jax Day exactly 3 months later, June 6.
2023 - Easter in Dallas
2023 - Birth of 3rd great-grandchild - Jasper Emerick
2023 - September 58th Anniversary celebration in Santa Fe, NM, before enjoying a 3-week trip through Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado.
2023 - Christmas in Indiana
2024 - Birth of 4th great-grandchild and 1st granddaughter, Navy Grace Day
2024 - Dick's 84th birthday and our 59th anniversary were shared with dear friends who were married exactly one day before us in 1965, Richard and Mary Phegley
2025 - Birth of 5th great-grandchild - Sebastian "Bass" Cunningham
Two weeks later, Bass's cousin was born in Athens, Greece
6th great-grandson, Noah Bitsaktsis
Three weeks after Noah's birth, great-grandchild #7 and another girl, Juniper Emerick was born
Ava Grace graduated from high school and entered the University of Arkansas
All of these great events happened to the same parents/grandparents, Chuck and Christy.
Looking back over the past 60 years, we still wonder where the years have gone. We can only testify to the amazing favor and blessings of a sovereign God who went before us and directed our every step. We give all praise and glory to Jesus Christ, who saved us, led us to each other in His time, gave us two perfect children and their mates, wonderful places of service, life-long friends, seven perfect grandchildren, and now seven amazing great-grandchildren.
We know God isn't finished with us yet, and our desire is to finish strong until He is ready to take us home.
To many more years together!
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