Rev. and Mrs. Henry M. Easley Rev. and Mrs. Henry M. Easley of Tignall celebrated 50 years of marriage in an impressive ceremony to renew their wedding vows Saturday, August 30, at five o'clock in the afternoon at The Pope Center in Washington. Rev. Gold Lee Walton of Washington officiated the ceremony.

The ceremony, a special program and anniversary dinner were hosted by the Easleys' children and grandchildren.

Rev. Easley is the son of the late Lem and Ollie Easley of Tignall and Mrs. Easley, the former Jacqueline Moss, is the daughter of the late Earl and Georgia Ann Moss, also of Tignall.

The couple chose formal attire for the celebration. Mrs. Easley wore

satin taupe-colored three-piece tea-length dress accented with gold embroidery and finished with a tiara. She carried a hand-held colonial nosegay of off-white roses. Rev. Easley's black tuxedo was enhanced with a gold bow tie and vest and accented with an off-white rose boutonniere.

The couple's daughters and daughters in-law carried long-stemmed off-white roses with gold ribbons and their sons and sons-in-law had off-white boutonnieres.

The Pope Center was beautifully decorated for the celebration. The entrance stairway was enhanced with ivory bows trimmed with greenery and gold ribbons. The main foyer was decorated with lacecovered tables accented with satin gold and ivory bows and sprinkled with the numeral "50" gold confetti. These tables featured the guest book tended by the couple's niece, Karen Dorsey of Tignall, party favors and photos of the couple's past. Inside the ballroom, tables were draped with white and gold linen and centered with lilies. A wedding arch was placed in the center front of the room and was beautifully bedecked with off-white roses, gold ribbons and entwined fern and greenery.

The prelude was by Mrs. Easley's brother, Earl Moss Jr. of Tignall. Kathleen Brewer of Atlanta, soloist and mistress of ceremonies, presented a program of songs that included songs of love, surrender, commitment and praise and called the ceremony to order with song. Her song was followed by the processional of the Easley's children and spouses, James and Mary Easley of Suwanee; Sherry and Frank Charles of Dallas, Tex.; Carol Easley-Whitlock of Fairborn, Ohio; Beverly and David Allen and Kelvin Easley of Athens; David Easley of Oklahoma City, Okla.; and John Easley of Camp Fallujah-Iraq/Killeen, Tex. Sorely missed were Henry and Westeria Easley, Darrell Whitlock and Wendy Easley.

Bell ringers, Justin Easley and Marquis Allen, made a melody of sound proclaiming the entrance of their grandparents. Flower princesses, Johntae Easley, Jamila Whitlock and Giovanna Charles, with tiaras adorning their heads, flowered the entrance path for their grandparents. Rev. and Mrs. Easley, escorted respectively by granddaughter, Shaniqua Smith, and grandson, John Easley Jr., entered the ballroom to the song, "Grateful".

The greeting and prayer were offered by Rev. Joe Glaze, pastor of Pole Branch Baptist Church in Tignall, followed by Mrs. Brewer singing "The Lord's Prayer." Rev. Walton reflected the biblical principles that sustain a long-lasting marriage, followed by Rev. and Mrs. Easley's renewal of their vows and continuous commitment to each other, the blessing and prayer over the exchanging of their new rings and their partaking of Holy Communion. In addition, the couple lit a symbolic unity candle, representing their continuous unity, that was decorated with a satin bow and greenery and placed near the center of the arch.

After the pronouncement and presentation of Rev. and Mrs. Easley, the couple was seated by Robert Allen and nephew of the couple, James Dorsey, in the center of the ballroom for the special program presented their children and grandchildren.

The program began with a song from Mrs. Brewer following by a scripture from their son, John Easley. An anniversary poem was presented and read by their daughter, Carol Easley-Whitlock. Rev. George Edwards, pastor of the Thankful Baptist Church in Lincolnton, provided remarks on the couple as did Eunice Willis of Atlanta, sister of Rev. Easley. Daughter Beverly Easley-Allen provided a history of the couple's marriage and family. Son David Easley presented and narrated a DVD that reflected photos and walk down memory lane for the couple. Daughter Sherry Easley-Charles read congratulatory letters from the couple's siblings who were not present; from several prominent churches as the Potter's House of Dallas, Tex., where Bishop T. D. Jakes is senior pastor; Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, Georgia State Senator Bill Jackson who also provided them a Georgia State flag; and from United States President and Mrs. George W. Bush Jr. Also Washington Mayor Willie Burns spoke and sang words of congratulations. In addition, he presented Rev. and Mrs. Easley with his first proclamation proclaiming August 30, 2008, as Rev. and Mrs. Henry M. Easley Day in the City of Washington. Mrs. Easley-Charles recognized other couples in the audience that have been married 50 years or more and presented each a special gift. Mrs. Brewer serenaded those couples with the song "Never Could Have Made It."

All the grandchildren honored their grandparents with a special parade of roses and presented them roses made of money.

Granddaughter Giovanna Charles played a piano medley including Disney's "Can't You Feel the Love Tonight" for her grandparents. Son Kelvin Easley presented a special gift to his mom on behalf of his siblings and families of a 2002 Buick Century. The program closed with another song from Mrs. Brewer followed by Rev. Edwards giving the blessing for the food.

A delicious buffet was served in the west foyer from tables decorated with large arrays of mixed flowers. Guests enjoyed a variety of hors d'oeuvres, garden salad with assorted dressings, chicken supreme, eye of round roast with gravy, classic rice pilaf, sweet potato casserole, Southern-style green beans, macaroni and cheese, yeast rolls with butter, and assorted mini pastries and tarts.

Each of the two beautiful anniversary cakes was topped with "50" inlaid in gold and crystals. The main three-tiered anniversary cake, iced in off-white frosting, was over a flowing water fountain. Each tier was wrapped in gold ribbon and columns separated the top and bottom tiers. Gold ribbon connected the main cake to four satellite cakes, each of a different flavor. The second anniversary cake, a dark chocolate frosted confection with chocolate fudge within, displayed a variety of fresh fruits. Rev. and Mrs. Easley cut the cakes following dinner.

Guests also enjoyed sparkling cider as James Easley made a toast to his parents.

Rev. Edwards gave the benediction.

The evening entertainment was provided by Earl Moss Jr.

Approximately 175 guests attended.