LOVE STORY: DEANNA AND

DeAnna & Jeren

By Kelsie Dove Photography by Bluewaters Photography

Newlyweds open door to new life chapter

DeAnna Delancey and Jeren Ferguson met in 2017 at the hardware store called the Vancleave Old Place, owned by Jeren’s dad Quinn. She was seeking a change of scenery from her previous job at a local daycare, and the hardware store had a job opening. Her first day on the job, DeAnna met Jeren when he almost hit her with a door. “As we entered the big wooden door that opened up into the back of the store, Jeren was walking out of it. He had something in his arms, so he used his foot to kick the door open. When he realized he nearly hit us with it he was surprised and just blurted out ‘welcome to the party,’ a term we still use regularly to this day.

DeAnna and Jeren did not start a romantic relationship immediately. Instead they developed a close friendship over the course of two years, which they maintained even after Jeren left the hardware store to become a full time farmer. “We both knew that there was something special about each other,” DeAnna explained. In December of 2018, they began dating, and after a brief time apart in 2019, they reconnected in May of 2020. DeAnna said that since that time, they have never looked back.

During a store remodel, the door which provided their first introduction was taken down. However, Jeren saved it, and he used it as the backdrop when he proposed to DeAnna. “He picked out a spot under the barn at our farm, and he set the door up with flowers all around it. While most people may not have understood, we both knew that the very door he opened and found me standing in was now a symbol of us opening the door into the next chapter of our lives.”

DeAnna and Jeren were married on May 15, 2021 at First Jesus Name Church in Bendale, MS. DeAnna said that much of their wedding day is a blur for her, but she clearly remembers the moment she made it down the aisle to Jeren. “It seemed like a burden had been lifted. All of the stress and anxiety that came with preparing for such a momentous day was gone.” Another distinct moment for the couple came at the end of the reception when they went outside to take pictures in the sunset. “As we walked away from all of our friends and family we both cried thinking that so many people had come out to celebrate with us.”

Two important family members were not able to celebrate with them in person; both DeAnna’s and Jeren’s grandfathers had both passed away before their wedding. To honor them, DeAnna wore a locket with her grandfather’s picture in it, and the minister officiated the wedding with the Bible that belonged to Jeren’s grandfather. Even though their grandfathers could not be there in person, DeAnna and Jeren made sure they were there in spirit.

The newlyweds spent their honeymoon in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and they now own and operate a commercial chicken farm in Greene County where they also raise cattle and have a growing row crop operation. DeAnna has suffered from PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) since she was a teenager, and the couple was afraid they might not be able to have children. However, shortly after returning from their honeymoon, the couple found out DeAnna was pregnant. “When they estimated our due date it was exactly 40 weeks from our wedding day. We were so grateful that the Lord saw fit for us to become parents so soon when the odds were against us.”

“We both knew that there was something special about each other”

VENDORS Ceremony venue: First Jesus Name Church Benndale, MS Reception venue: Ferguson Family Farms Perkinston, MS Officiant: Pastor William Moore Benndale, MS Wedding planner: BreAnne Adams Vancleave, MS Wedding gown: David’s Bridal Tux/Groom’s clothing: J Ferrar Navy Suit, Brown Shoes and belt. Bridesmaids’ attire: Maroon Gown from Baltic Born Groomsmens’ attire: JFerrar Navy Suit, Brown Shoes and belt. Photographer: Bluewaters Photography Caterer: Full of Grace Cake/Desserts: Cakes by Gavin Florist: Pam Smith Lucedale, MS Invitations: Stone Printing Wiggins, MS Hair: Savanna Morgan Lucedale, MS Event rentals: Jazzy Johns (luxury restroom trailer) , ABC Rentals (chairs and tables) Reception Entertainment: Josh Clark Lucedale, MS