By Jere Hough Meteorologist / Feature Reporter
Published: Wed, December 26, 2007 - 1:54 pm
Last Updated: Wed, December 26, 2007 - 2:15 pm
Last Updated: Wed, December 26, 2007 - 2:15 pm
Jere Hough
Lois Driskell Pierce, married 66 years before losing her husband says, "We had problems, we went to the Lord with it you know."
Ralph Driskell, married 62 years, says, "It was stay married or die. We married to stay until death parted us." He adds sadly, "...and we did."
Everette Driskell, married 50 years recalls, "Our Dad, we called him Papa, he told me, he said you need to tie the knot tight, then it won't come untied."
About her parents, married 56 years, both now deceased, Judy Byrd recalls, "Well I think their upbringing, it was instilled in them, their values, their faith in God, of course, it's already been mentioned, but also I think the unconditional love."
How did all this get started?
Agnes Driskell Goff, married 54 years, says, "He asked somebody to introduce him to me, and we fell in love! Love at first sight I think."
Murray Driskell, married 66 years, confesses, "We ran away...I was 19 and she was 16."
They ran to Mississippi to be married...but they weren't the only runaways that night!
Lois Pierce also eloped. "I didn't know he was getting married. He got married in Pascagoula. I got married in Pascagoula, probably just a few hours apart."
Murray and Lois did not find out about each other's marriage for three weeks!
It turns out that Mississippi was a popular destination.
Llinwood Driskell, married 59 years, recalls,"My sister Lois, that you just interviewed, Mrs. Pierce, her and Hannon, they took us under their wing and took us to Lucedale, to the Justice of the Peace. They were the witnesses. And you know theat guy charged us ten dollars? ...to marry us? A Justice of the Peace."
Allen Driskell, still short of the family milestone, married 44 years, remembers, "Sort of like love at first sight. She was a beautiful girl...still is."
Bonita Driskell, married to Everette, declares, "We didn't know how poor we were, but we were rich in the things that really matter."
For this story the family gathered at Palestine Baptist Church in Tanner-Willliams. Their father, Dewitt Driskell was choir master there; Linwood Driskell directs the choir there now. DeWitt and their mother, Iva Driskell also celebrated a Golded Anniversay as did Iva's own mother and father.
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