Mr. and Mrs. Bill Talkington will celebrate their 50th anniversary early this year so all their children and grandchildren can be present.
A come-and-go reception will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday in the Dickson Schools cafeteria/saferoom in recognition of the big event.
Bill and Mary both graduated from Dickson in 1957. They were married on Dec. 19, 1959, at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Bill worked for Goddard Ranch, Joe Carrell, City Produce, Dr. G.W. Clay and Holman and Bartgis Distributors.
He was employed by Dale Ott for 17 years managing Broadlawn Phillips 66. Mary worked at First National Bank until starting a family. She was then a homemaker, spending her time caring for her children and grandchildren. In 1987, she was elected to the Dickson School Board. She served as a member for 10 years.
Bill and Mary both owned and operated North Commerce Phillips 66 for five years until retiring in 2001. They attended Dickson First Baptist Church, where Mary teaches Sunday school and is in choir.
They are members of the Arbuckle Dairy Goat Association. They enjoy working at the Carter County Free Fair and entering many exhibits.
They are honorary lifetime members of the Carter County 4-H Club. In their free time, they enjoy going to farm and antique auctions. Bill enjoys going on trail rides. Mary enjoys raising dairy goats.
The event will be hosted by their four children, Melinda Smith and husband, Lonnie, and Karen Mathis and husband, Rocky, all of Ardmore; Laurie Ghassemi and husband, Michael, Orlando, Fla.; and Kailee Page and husband, Jacob, Mannsville.
Family and friends are invited to attend. The couple request no gifts.
