10 minute read
Herman & Katherine Griffin
Celebrating 70 Years By Jeweliana Curtis
or bett er or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. These vows are commonly recited at wedding ceremonies to portray the commitment that the couple is making to each other, along with well wishes for a lifetime of love together. These are the very vows that Herman and Katherine Katie Griffi n committ ed to, and the very vows they have lived out over the past 70 years of marriage.
Statistically, only one tenth of one percent of married couples make it to their 70th wedding anniversary. This incredible achievement by the Gri ns displays their faithfulness and commitment to each other, as well as to the life they created together. Through trying times and adventures, Herman and Katie have honored their vows and been partners for life.
Herman and Katie’s love story began in Ocilla, Georgia, when the pair were still in high school. Katie lived in the country and Herman lived in town, and it was typical in this time for families to venture into town on Saturdays to complete their errands. One Saturday, Katie visited town and met up with some friends from school, and one of her friends decided that they needed to visit the local drugstore for a Coke. There was a classmate of hers that she wanted Katie to meet. Herman was a soda jerk at the local drugstore and went to Katie’s school, but he was a year behind her, so they never met in classes until this fateful day. Herman and Katie hit it o that day, and next thing they knew, Herman was walking Katie to class each day. The pair enjoyed spending time together in between classes, and they began to go on dates together soon after, accompanied by friends with drivers licenses.
Fast forward a few years, and Katie has graduated high school at the age of 16 and began taking college courses to obtain her associates degree, which
she earned at the age of 18. Herman graduated from high school a year after Katie, and the couple got engaged and began planning their wedding.
“She waited for me to grow up,” Herman laughed.
On July 18, 1952, Herman and Katie said “I do” in a country church, Holt Baptist Church. It was a simple wedding, but
the day brings back many special memories for the couple. Since they were married in July, it is to be expected that it was a hot summer day in Georgia. Coupled with the fact that there was no air conditioning at the time, the wedding candles were frozen the night before to ensure they would not melt during the ceremony. To the bride and groom’s surprise, the candles on the right side of the altar were melted and bent, a funny memory that the couple can laugh about today. Finally, the pair were married, and they could embark on their honeymoon to Jacksonville Beach.
Local Women’s Cancer Support Group
One of Katie Gri n’s biggest passions in life is helping others. The American Cancer Society has played a large role in her life, and she even volunteered with the organization long before she was ever diagnosed. Her heart for helping other women through the process led her to the local women’s cancer support group in Lake City, where Katie is the co-chair of the group.
If you or someone you know is battling cancer or has beaten cancer, we encourage you to invite them into this incredible community for support. The group meets on the second Monday of each month at the Woman’s Club of Lake City. For more information, please contact Katie Gri n at 386-623-1932. Herman grew up in a big family and was the eighth child out of eleven. Katie is the oldest daughter of her family, and had only one younger sister. Because Katie’s parents never had a boy, they enjoyed having Herman as part of the family, and the couple often spent the evenings having dinner with her family in the early years of the marriage. The couple lived in a tiny apartment in their town with a rent rate of $35 per month. At the time, the couple made roughly $70 a week from their jobs and often budgeted just $1 each week for gas. Katie worked at the welfare department, while Herman apprenticed with a watch repairman.
Soon into their marriage, Herman was drafted. While this was not ideal, Herman gave up his job and the couple prepared for his departure.
“The night Herman left, I decided to go to my mother’s house. My sister was still living at home at that time, and that night her boyfriend stood her up. So, Herman was gone and I was crying, and my sister was crying, and nally my mother said, ‘Alright girls, get in the car. Let’s go for a ride,” Katie recalled. “Well, we didn’t get too far down the road before we saw Herman’s dad driving past us, bringing Herman home. Herman had been discharged at the induction because of his asthma.”
With Herman’s release came some decisions for the couple, and Herman pursued a career in banking for some time. The couple went on to have their son, Wade, and began to think about where they wanted to live long term. They always loved Florida and toyed with the idea of moving to Ocala to be close to family. When Herman made the trip to Ocala to apply for jobs, he made a pit stop in Lake City that would change their plans.
Katie’s uncle, Jimmy Tyson, was the mayor of Lake City at this time and he told Herman that they did not need to move to Ocala, they needed to move to
Katie and Herman’s daughter-in-law melted the candles at the anniversary celebration to resemble the melted candles from the couple’s wedding in 1952.
Katie and Herman’s children: Wade and Debbie.
Lake City. A job had just opened up that morning, and Jimmy was prepared to hold it for Herman while he discussed the possibility with his wife. Herman and Katie weighed the pros and cons and ultimately made the decision to plant roots in Lake City in 1962. It was here that they welcomed their daughter, Debbie, and spent time raising their family. Herman worked for the city for a few years, then managed a local grocery store for some time before working for the United States Post O ce. Herman also pastored the congregation at Salem Primitive Baptist Church, the oldest church in the county, for 30 years.
Katie worked for the welfare department in Lake City, working her way through the ranks from transcriber operator to social worker. Her passion has always been to help people, so she enjoyed meeting and assisting many families through her work, as well as volunteering for the American Cancer Society. Katie retired after working in Aging and Adult Services for 33 years at the age of 62, and Herman retired from the post o ce in 1998 at the age of 65. Their life was full of many amazing memories and opportunities to serve each other well, but there were trials along the way. At the age of 57, Katie was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, and the doctors did not think she would live six more months. Though the diagnosis was grim, Herman and Katie did not lose hope. Per her doctor’s orders, Katie continued to work as much as she could to keep a sense of normalcy through it all. Herman and the kids picked up extra duties to help Katie through, and many friends, family and church family rallied around them in prayer and support. She had a community backing her, and she had her faith to stand on.
“After I did ve rounds of treatments in Jacksonville, I then completed radiation in Gainesville. The actual radiation appointments were only about ve minutes, with the sta exiting the room after starting the radiation,” Katie explained. “I memorized a lot of Bible verses as a kid, and they served me well. During those ve minutes of solitude, I would say the Lord’s prayer and a few other verses, all while I did my treatment before the sta came back into the room. It helped provide peace in those moments.”
Since those treatments ended, Katie has o cially been breast cancer free! At the time, the Gri n family threw a 40th wedding anniversary celebration for Herman and Katie as they did not think Katie had much time left. This July, Herman and Katie celebrated 70 years of marriage!
As you can imagine, the 70th celebration was a sweet and joyous aff air. The celebration was held at Herman and Katie’s home with their family. The Griffi ns have been blessed with two children, four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, all of which were thrill ed to celebrate their anniversary.
To keep with tradition, the party colors were purple and gold to represent 70 years. Food was served on Katie’s china and crystal, which happened to be purple. Katie received a huge bouquet of yellow roses and beautiful purple owers from Herman. Their daughter-in-law baked a cake for the occasion and even bent candlesticks to replicate the funny memory from their wedding day in 1952. The day was full of reminiscing and family fun, all because of the commitment that Herman and Katie made to each other 70-plus years ago.
“A lot of people say that young marriages don’t last, but I think that was good for us. We weren’t so set in our ways and we really did grow up together,” Katie expressed. “We’ve been through some trying times, but communication has been key. We always talk things out, and we’ve never been separated or even spent very many nights apart. You have to be committed. It’s not just words when you make a vow, there’s a commitment behind it.”
As for advice for newly married couples, the Griffi ns emphasized the importance of committ ing to each other and communicating with each other. If there is an issue, address it so it does not keep growing.
“I learned how to say “yes ma’am” early on,” Herman joked. “I always told the kids that I am the head of the household, but your mama is the neck. The head doesn’t go where the neck doesn’t turn.”
Katie added, “He’s always had a great sense of humor, and that’s what rst attracted me to him—though Herman jokes that his good looks rst attracted me!”
When asked what his favorite quality Katie has, Herman responded, “Her compassion to help others. She’s always had a heart for helping people.”
As the couple celebrates their 70th year of marriage, they have a lifetime of love to look back on. Their family friends, and community is a testament to their faithfulness and commitment to each other. The legacy they have created is truly incredible, and there is so much wisdom to be gleaned from Herman and Katie’s marriage.
“My advice for any newlyweds is to keep living and do right. Trust in the Lord always,” Katie expressed. “With a positive attitude and the Lord looking after us, we made it through. We’ve had a good life and we hope we have more years ahead of us.” ■
