The children of Bob and Nita McKenzie honored their parents with a 50th wedding anniversary celebration on Dec. 20, 2008, at Russell First Baptist Church where they are members.
Bob is the son of the late Earl and Thelma McKenzie and Nita is the daughter of the late Ralph and Mary Garthee Phillips.
Their children are Mary (Clarence) Harless, R.B. (Christie) McKenzie of Bellefonte and Mickey (Shanda) McKenzie of Kansas City, Mo. They have six grandchildren, Blake (Becky) Harless of Russell, Kelsey and Chloe McKenzie of Bellefonte, Michael McKenzie of Kansas City, Rob and Courtney McKenzie of Columbia, S.C.; and three great-grandchildren, Emily, Tyler and David, all of Russell.
The couple were married on Dec. 17, 1958, at Greenup United Methodist Church by the Rev. DeHaven.
The Golden Anniversary Rose Ceremony began with a memory DVD of the past 50 years of family in picture slides. Kelsey McKenzie, granddaughter of the couple, sang “O’ Holy Night.” The couple’s sons walked their mother down the aisle and gave her away; then, they served their dad as honorary best men.
The original best man was the late Page Johnson. Their daughter served her mother as matron of honor and Patty Hall served her sister as the original matron of honor. Pastor Ken Gowin officiated the renewing of the wedding vows and ring ceremony.
A reception followed in the fellowship hall. There were 160 family and friends in attendance to celebrate the couple’s 50 blessed years.
