Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 17, 1994 TAG: 9407180123
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By RANDY WALKER SPECIAL TO ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But such was the occasion on July 7, when William T. Brown, 85, married Irene Bell Goff, 77, at Bonsack Baptist Church.
The presiding cleric was the groom's grandson, Richard Brown. The bride was given away by her grandson, John D. Moore, and the best man was the groom's grandson, William Brown Jr. Granddaughters and great-granddaughters were flower girls.
While it was not a typical wedding, it had all the joy of one.
``It seemed like everybody was smiling,'' said Wayne Marshall, one of the 250-odd guests.
The romance of Bill and Irene only began about six months ago, but they have known each other over half a century. ``Me and her first husband worked together at three places, and her second husband was my Sunday school teacher,'' Bill said.
Bill, a lifelong resident of southern Botetourt County, was a truck driver until he retired at 62. His first wife died in 1992 after 64 years of marriage.
Irene, a Floyd County native, has lived in Roanoke since she was 21. She has out lived her mother, father, six brothers, one sister and two husbands. Her second husband, Aubrey Goff, died last year.
A mutual friend at Bonsack Baptist urged Bill to take out Irene. On Dec. 26, 1993, he took her to a Western Sizzlin. They hoped to avoid other church members and the resulting gossip, but found themselves seated next to eight other members of Bonsack Baptist.
Love will find a way, however.
``The chemistry between us was great,'' Irene said. ``We both sort of fought it at first, but it didn't work out.''
Bill proposed while they were sitting on the couch in Irene's home in Northeast Roanoke.
``It was our second date,'' Irene recalled. ``He said, `If I didn't have so many problems, I would ask you to marry me.' On the third date, he said, `What would you say if I asked you to marry me?' I said, `I would say yes.'"
During their engagement, they enjoyed walking together and serving together on the church visiting committee. They made a striking couple; she is slim and attractive, and he has a full head of white hair.
Nevertheless, a few people thought they were two old to get married.
``A lot of people think we're crazy, but we're both in good health, and I'm not even on any medication,'' Irene said.
``Irene is very sharp,'' said Marshall. ``Bill is too, but he's a little more reserved and quieter.''
By the time of the wedding all doubts seemed to have evaporated. Someone - they're not sure who - festooned their car with ribbons and tin cans and wrote ``OLDYWEDS'' on the rear windshield.
For their honeymoon, the bride and groom planned to take a road trip to see her daughter in Texas and his sister in Mississippi. After returning they will live in Irene's house.
They embark on married life with the blessing of Bonsack Baptist Pastor Robert Moore. ``These are two nice people, and it's nice in a marital sense,'' he said. ``They were faithful and committed to their spouses during extended sicknesses and raising children and all the rest. These are salt of the earth people. This occurred because they experienced the blessings of faithfulness and companionship and commitment and wanted to experience it again.''
Irene explains the attraction more succinctly. ``I'll be frank with you,'' she said. ``I fell in love with the guy.''
by CNB