Gene, Barbara Tedrick to celebrate 70th anniversary
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Gene and Barbara Tedrick of Lynchburg are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary Aug. 23.
Born in 1929 and 1934, respectively, D. Gene Tedrick and Barbara J. Wilkey met in September of 1950 at a nearby square dance barn. Gene asked Barb to dance with him, and he knew then and there he was going to marry her.
A few months later he got a ring and proposed, but Barbara said no. She didn’t think her parents would approve because she was only 16. With a little time and persistence, permission was granted, and she said yes.
Their wedding ceremony was held Aug. 23, 1951 at First Church of Christ, with Iolene and Fred Buchreitz as their wedding party. They had their first baby, Diana, while Gene was in the Army. His time away in the military allowed the young couple to really get to know each other through letters, and absence definitely made the heart grow fonder. They later had three more children, Sherry, John and Ronald.
After Gene’s time in the Army, the couple settled down in Lynchburg, where they continued to grow together, while enjoying activities such as camping, horses, and of course, square dancing. Looking back, Barb and Gene would say that spending time with family, doing activities you all enjoy, is one of the keys to a marriage that lasts over 70 years, as well as not arguing and just loving each other.
Gene and Barb have nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, all of whom love them very much and wish them a happy 70th wedding anniversary.
Born in 1929 and 1934, respectively, D. Gene Tedrick and Barbara J. Wilkey met in September of 1950 at a nearby square dance barn. Gene asked Barb to dance with him, and he knew then and there he was going to marry her.
A few months later he got a ring and proposed, but Barbara said no. She didn’t think her parents would approve because she was only 16. With a little time and persistence, permission was granted, and she said yes.
Their wedding ceremony was held Aug. 23, 1951 at First Church of Christ, with Iolene and Fred Buchreitz as their wedding party. They had their first baby, Diana, while Gene was in the Army. His time away in the military allowed the young couple to really get to know each other through letters, and absence definitely made the heart grow fonder. They later had three more children, Sherry, John and Ronald.
After Gene’s time in the Army, the couple settled down in Lynchburg, where they continued to grow together, while enjoying activities such as camping, horses, and of course, square dancing. Looking back, Barb and Gene would say that spending time with family, doing activities you all enjoy, is one of the keys to a marriage that lasts over 70 years, as well as not arguing and just loving each other.
Gene and Barb have nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, all of whom love them very much and wish them a happy 70th wedding anniversary.