Til Death Do Us Part—and Still Going: The Thomason Legacy of Love
They say diamonds are forever, but Wayne and Zelpha Thomason might just give them a run for their money.
Zelpha and Wayne Thomason met in church, where Wayne was the new kid in town. As Zelpha recalls, the spark was immediate.
'They had just moved to Lawton,' Zelpha Thomason said. 'That was the first time they had come to church there. I can still see him getting up out of that pew, and I thought, who's that cute little, short new guy?'
'She was a very good, strong Christian girl,' Wayne Thomason said. 'I was very young in the church and needed someone stronger.'
The wedding remains a beautiful memory, despite having little money at the time.
'My mother and I were living on not very much money,' Zelpha explained. 'I said, 'okay, I'll make my dress.' I just loved to sew. I still have my dress. I can't get into it, but I still have it.'
From there the Thomason's started to grow their family.
'We just have two daughters, four grandchildren and we have great-grandchildren,' Wayne said. 'Which you never think of or expect to have until you get there.'
Seventy years of marriage later, the Thomason's remain true to the vows they made on their wedding day.
'The lord was going to be in that vow, we would not destroy that vow of loving one another til death do you part,' Wayne said.
'…I said I will work every day of my life,' Wayne added. 'Never let you down.'
Looking back, Zelpha recalls what drew her to Wayne and the promises that built their 70-year journey.
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