It is because of the archives of Hugh's News that I can recapture the story of the amazing wedding ceremony of the Rev. Mr. John W. Swails, Jr., 91, to Ms. Sylvia Nan Williams, 70, at the Greenville Pentecostal Holiness Church in Greenville, North Carolina, on Sunday, August 5, 2007. John and Sylvia Swails were married 2 years, 10 months, and 12 days, before John's death on Saturday, June 12, 2010, at 9:45 p. m.
Melvine and I were not able to attend the wedding ceremony because of an emergency in our family. However, God provided a young journalist by the name of John Swails IV, Papa John Swail's grandson, to cover this historic event for Hugh's News.
I am grateful for the writing ability of John Swails IV, Papa John Swails' grandson; and, for his excellent journalism in composing this exciting story. When you see him, tell him that he made his debut in writing in Hugh's News. He is now world famous.
"On Sunday August 5, 2007, Rev. John W. Swails Jr., 91, wed Ms. Sylvia Nan Williams, 70, at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Greenville, North Carolina. The ceremony was conducted at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
"The wedding was well attended by both friends and family of the couple. Several drove in from as far as Tulsa, Oklahoma, to be with the couple on their special day.
"The wedding was a beautiful example of God’s love and grace and many in attendance were moved by the love that the couple displayed for one another.
"Rev. John Swails met Ms. Sylvia Williams in Franklin Springs, Georgia, while she was visiting her sister Ruthe Brookshire whose husband Joseph assisted in officiating at the wedding. In a curious twist of Cupid’s arrow, Sylvia’s younger sister Joy is married to Rev. John Swails’ oldest son, Dr. John W. Swails, III of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“'The cute thing about this wedding is that my sister is now my step-mother-in-law,' said Joy Swails with a big smile on her face. “I am now her step-daughter-in-law and Johnny’s dad is now his brother-in-law.”
Son of the Bride: Marcus Travia Williams
Sons (& their wives) of the Groom: John W. III and Joy Swails, Joseph B. and Susan Swails and James R. and Debbie Swails.
Officiants: Reverend Joseph Bryce Swails, Reverend Joseph William Brookshire, Reverend Paul Norman Brafford and Dr. John Washington Swails, III.
Ushers: Ryan Matthews Swails, Joel Matthew Swails, John Washington Swails, IV, and Leon Matthew Williams, III.
The new couple will reside in Franklin Springs, Georgia.
[Editor's Note: I am grateful to Susan Swails for delegating to John Swails IV the writing assignment to capture the wonderful moment in the lives of two lovely people. the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. John Swails, II.]
Posted on
Sun, June 13, 2010
by Hugh Morgan