Johnnie and Helen Williams, longtime residents of Bartlett, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends on Saturday, September 27, 2008.

The celebration began with a renewal of their vows at Mt. Ararat Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Daniel Blane, Jr. officiating.

Standing with their parents for the occasion were their children: daughter, Lois Rector Davis and husband Jesse of Lake Jackson; and sons, Ricky Rector and wife Nelda of Pflugerville, Johnnie Wayne Williams of Ft. Worth, Leslie Williams and wife Jackie of Dallas, Craig Williams and wife Delia of Granger and James Williams and wife Christine of Round Rock.

Craig Williams serenaded his parents with a rendition of Always and Forever, accompanied by church organist, Sister Jamie Cook. The grandchildren and great-grandchildren paid tribute to the couple by reading events from the past five decades. The couple shared their own words to each other during the ceremony.

Granddaughters, Chanae Davis-Connell and Chasity Davis, both of Houston, event planners, transformed the Bartlett Town Hall into an elegant reception area. Guests were served a beautifully catered dinner from Mopsie’s of Taylor. A champagne toast highlighted the evening. Special frirends and family toasted the couple, encouraging continued marital success.

Special family honored were Mrs. Williams’ sister, Mrs. Johnnie Watson of San Antonio, and her cousins, Emma Collins of Temple and Rose Mary Thomas of Georgetown. Chris Jones of Dallas was the DJ.

Sunday, September 28, 2008 was the official date of their 50 years of marriage.