December 29, 2022
To honor my parents’ 55th wedding anniversary, I have taken bits and pieces of wedding announcements, engagement announcements and other clippings I have found over the years to put together what would have been the news article from December 29, 1967 when they were married.
My parents are a great example that although things are not always perfect, you work through the good and bad times. As most vows say, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer until death do us part. They are a shining example of what a marriage should be.
Congratulations on your 55th wedding anniversary and I hope you enjoy the celebration!
Miss Judith Janelle Baker and James Michael Pate were united in marriage in the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, at 8pm on Friday December 29, 1967.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martinez Baker, Jacksonville. Mr. Pate’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Gardner Pate of Memphis, Tennessee.
Dr. Homer G. Lindsay, pastor of the church, performed the ceremony before an altar banked with white and yellow mums, ivy, palms and candlelabre.
Preceding the ceremony, Miss Bette Bishop, of Jacksonville, played a program of nuptial music on the pipe organ. An acapella choir from Gamma Nu chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, honorary music fraternity at Florida State University sang “What Wonderful Love” preceding the ceremony and “The Lord’s Prayer” at the conclusion of the vows.
The bride’s sister, Susan Diane Baker, served as Maid of Honor.
Bridesmaids were Miss Lynda Goodman, Miss Cathy Davis, both of Jacksonville. They wore mint green empire sheaths of chiffon with matching coasts fashioned with bishop sleeves. The bouquets were identical to the maid of honor.
Karen Spencer, cousin of the bride, was the flower girl. She wore forest green velvet with touches of white and carried a wicker and lace basket filled with white and yellow rose petals.
Jack David Pate, younger brother of the groom, was the ring bearer.
The groom chose his father, Gardner Pate, as his best man. Groomsmen were Jay Sherman, Kellarny, Florida, and John Warder, Winter Park, Florida. Ushers were Steve Hagins, Markham, Illinios, Wayne Brown and Ronald Reitz, both of Jacksonville and Al Sergel or Hollywood, Florida.
The bride graduated from Ribault Senior High School in Jacksonville, Florida and attended Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee. She received a degree in music education from Florida State University, where she was a member of Tau Beta Sigma women’s honorary college band society, the university’s symphonic band and the Marching Chiefs.
Mr. Pate graduated from Briarcliff High School in Atlanta, Georgia and will receive a degree in advertising and public relations from Florida State University in June. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, men’s honorary band society and the Marching Chiefs.
