Gloria's Progress: "Shug"

Gloria's Progress Updates on Gloria's battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

GLORIA AND ELMER - 40 YEARS AND COUNTING... (plus 57^th birthday party!!)

All my life, my Daddy has called my Mama “Shug” (pronounced like the first syllable in “sugar”). I have a sneaking suspicion that all started before I arrived on the scene. They have been sweethearts since they were 14 years old. In the picture to the left it was 1963, they were in the tenth grade. The picture on the right is 1964.

Daddy played football and Mama was a cheerleader, and isn’t that a picture of their life? Daddy out there doing his best, tackling everything head-on, while Mama was always by his side cheering him on!!

They were married right after high

school on August 6, 1965. This year they will be married 40 years!

To the left is a picture taken on their wedding day. They were married at a small little church in the country named Jennifer Baptist church. The Pastor who married them was Rev. Lubie Lipham.

That same church is only a stones throw from their property they live on now. On their 25^th wedding anniversary, we had a celebration and Bro. Lubie came back and they renewed their vows.

Daddy told me recently… “me and your mother are best friends, we look out for each other and that’s just the way it is”. I am thankful to have parents who are still married, but even more thankful to have parents who love each other immensely and have my whole life. Thank you for always putting each other first.

Birthday party blast!!

We had a big party for Mama in June 2004 celebrating Mama’s 57^th birthday! It was GREAT!

There were special times catching up with friends and family of years gone by. One of the sweetest moments was when Joan, Peggy and Janice, all sisters that Mama lived by when she was a teen, got together with Mama and sang and old gospel song in perfect harmony. They sang together a lot when they were younger and even formed a group that sang.

It was great for them to just all be together again anyway!! It was truly an exciting day for us all, I know Mama loved it. Now, when Mama gets to feeling down, Daddy tells her she better get better or he’s going to throw her another party!! Happy birthday Mama!! We love you!