Endless Love: Janet & Roy (Married 60 Years)
As young adults, Janet and Roy were introduced by Janet’s brother. When Roy was approved to join the Air Force, he visited Janet’s family and announced that they wanted to get married. “I was a Pentecostal, and Janet’s family, at the time, were Jehovah’s Witnesses. So I was kind of forbidden.” He explained that he was leaving for 6 months of basic training, and asked for permission to date Janet. They initially agreed, but after his departure told Janet she couldn’t see him again. “So the next time she saw me, we ran off to Elizabeth City and got married [by the] justice of the peace,” Roy says. Janet and Roy share that the justice of the peace helped to make their day special, offering two ceremonies–a secular one, or a Christ-centered one–and took the time to pray over them.
Janet and Roy built their love for each other while building their life together. “We’ve worked together, and we try to out-give each other. We even learned to cook together,” Janet laughs. Roy agrees, joking, “When we first got married, we cooked spaghetti to the point we don’t eat it anymore. But we did it together.” They believe that a foundation of faith in God and a generous spirit are the secret to a happy, healthy marriage. And even after 60 years, the couple are still in awe of each other. “I married the most incredible woman. She’s one-of-a-kind,” Roy says. “He’s put our family first,” Janet shares. “He’s always been the head of the family, yet he looks to me when we’re making decisions, and we pray about it.”
Janet and Roy will celebrate their 60th anniversary this October. Over the years, Roy became a beloved part of Janet’s family. Janet says they wish they could have had a wedding with family present: “I didn’t really miss all the bells and whistles, but I did miss my family.” She says that they always encourage young couples to “just go ahead and plan your wedding, and have the family [there].” The couple feel blessed to have a big, beautiful family–they will celebrate this year’s anniversary with their 4 kids, 15 grandkids, and 24 great-grandkids.
