1981 Reunion Wedding

BY BECKY DEARMAN MERCIER

Class of 1981

Most of the questions to class reunion questionnaires are pretty standard: most children or grandchildren; oldest and/ or youngest child or grandchild; most gray hair; least hair; most recently married. Most of the responses are fairly predictable, but no would have expected that the most recently married couple would celebrate their wedding… at the reunion.

That is exactly what happened at the Class of 1981’s reunion in April. Dewitt DeWeese asked classmate John Brashier, an ordained minister, to officiate when DeWeese and his fiancé, Tracey Hurt, got married. Brashier, who has performed ceremonies for several other classmates, was happy to oblige and recalls asking DeWeese when the ceremony would be. “At Scott Carter’s house, at our reunion this weekend,” replied DeWeese.

The couple initially thought they would simply get Brashier to walk out behind the barn with them, say a few words, and make it official. However, word of the wedding leaked and many of those in attendance made their way to the barn on the Carter compound, although it remains unclear whether they wanted to witness the wedding or get another dockrocker. The plan shifted, and the barn would now be the setting. Homeowner Tracey Carter persuaded bride Tracey to reconsider the location, reasoning that the patio with lights over the pool was a much prettier setting than the barn, with its strip lights and Farah Fawcett poster (yes, that one!)

Within minutes, a small bouquet crafted from purple petunias pilfered from poolside pots materialized, a keyboard was carried in from someone’s car, and Michael Collum offered traditional wedding music as the couple processed from the barn. The couple exchanged vows, and Bro. John declared them married.

The Class of 1981 celebrates every five years with an annual ladies’ Christmas party. Eighty-two classmates, along with 38 adventurous spouses, traveled from as far away as California to reconnect and visit with friends. The celebration began Friday night with a reception hosted by Allison Brown Simmons at Brown’s Frame Shop. “Following our reunion in 2016, Jeff Zadroga suggested showcasing the incredible talent of some of our artistic classmates. I’m glad we were able to make this happen, but I hate that Jeff was unable to travel because of the pandemic,” shared Simmons. Classmates and friends who showed included Thomas Wilson, Stephen Prewitt, Suzannah McGowan, Cynthia Carter, Janet Shearer (wife of Dale), Rollins Parker (daughter of Guy), Mike Wharton (husband of Pam Webb Wharton), and Ed Becker shared some of his late father Jim’s work.