The Thames' 40th Year Anniversary

It is written in Genesis 2: 24 ~ 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.' This scripture implies two complete people joined together make one solid couple.

On May 17th 1968, Eddie and Willie Ruth became that one solid couple. Forty years later, they are still that one solid couple. On Saturday, May 23rd, in Philadelphia, MS, we all joined my parents in celebrating their 40th year anniversary. We celebrated in a little community call “Liberty” where my father grew up and spent all his childhood. This was indeed a special occasion for the Thames’ family. Lot’s of memories are built at this spot.

We had an old fashion picnic with family and friends. BBQ ribs & chicken, bake beans, potato salad, etc. Dawn, even set up an old fashion “Thames County Store” with moon pies, bottled cokes, old fashion oat meal cookies, and penny candy for everyone.




We listened to R & B music from the 60’ until dark. Music included tunes from singer like; Otis Redding, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Ray Charles, Chubby Checkers and many more. It was a jamming good time! I think we did the “Cupid Shuffle” and the “Mississippi Cha Cha” at least ten times.

My father’s sisters; Annie and Leola stopped by. Many of my parents’ long time friends from Brandon and other towns came to visit. Long time friends Joe and Brenda Tate even drove up from Pelahatchie. This was their first trip to visit in Philadelphia. I think they left early enough to make a short stop at Williams Brothers.

You can’t come to Philadelphia without stopping at Williams Brothers. Dawn’s in-laws, Mr. & Mrs. Elijah Jones drove in from Brandon. Even Dr. Herman Windham, my father’s nephew and professor at Tuskegee University joined us for this occasion. Around 4 o’clock we get a delightful visit from Debbie, Chris’ wife. Debbie drove all the way from San Antonio Texas to share this once in a life time moment with us. Later that evening to our ultimate surprise, my mother’s siblings; Tobbie, Liz, Norman, & Corleen drove down from Cleveland, OH.

So many community members and friends showed their love for my parents on that day. It was a day that the grandkids will remember for years to come. They just can not believe that Mema and Papa have been together for 40 years. Will said, “Man momma, that’s older than you are!” Then he pauses for a moment, thinking real hard and asks, “Oh momma, how old are you?”