Herman and Shirley Sheffield and granddaughter Saturday, February 17, 2007, was a day of rejoicing and nostalgia as friends and family met at the First Baptist Church of Colquitt to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of Herman and Shirley Sheffield's marriage.

Summing up the sentiments of the day, family friends Terri and Hamid Daftarian of Roswell said, "It is an honor for us to be here...you two are the truest example of standing by each other 'in sickness and in health'. May the next 50 years be celebrated in health."

Among those in attendance were the couples' four children, Sharon Smith of Carnesville, Merri Sheffield of College Park, David Sheffield of Fairburn, and John Sheffield of Lexington, South Carolina. Grandchildren present were Rhonda Stover Hyde, Newnan, Elizabeth Andrew, and Emily Sheffield, Fairburn. Great-grandchildren attending were Kayla and Nathan Stover, Newnan, and Steven, Tony, and Kyle Savage, Carnesville. Grandchild Stephanie Savage Ray and great-grandchild, Brandon Ray of Lavonia were unable to attend.

Jimmie Floyd, of Albany, a cousin and classmate, exclaimed, "I wouldn't have missed this for the world." Earlier she told the couple, "Falling in love is easy. Staying in love is hard. You have been blessed. Fifty years is a long time, but you made it. Congratulations."

Attendees enjoyed a fabulous array of finger sandwiches, various sweets, punch and the highlight of the day -- a replica of the couple's original wedding cake topped by the actual bride and groom from the 1957 wedding cake. The tables in the church dining room were decorated with white linen cloths and centerpieces of gold frames, which held the couple's wedding photos. Guests enjoyed walking table to table guessing the identities of their friend and family who participated in the original ceremony. Mrs. Hyde, the couple's eldest grandchild, wore her grandmother's beautiful wedding dress at the party for all to see.

Herman's sister, Kathleen Cook, served as a greeter and maintained the guest book. Their daughter-inlaw, Melissa Sheffield of Fairburn, served as punch hostess, and the couple's niece, Cheryl Bridges of Brinson directed the set-up, lay-out and take-down for the special event.

Herman and Shirley grew up in Colquitt, but he moved to Atlanta, and she moved to Milledgeville following their graduation from Miller County High School in 1954.

After Herman retired from a 34+ year career with Delta Air Lines, the couple returned to their hometown and bought the house on East Main Street where Shirley's mother, Golden Walker, and step-father, J.J. Walker had lived and where Herman "came a calling" during their high school years.

Following the reception, the couple enjoyed a weekend of togetherness with their family. The occasion was the first time the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have all gathered at the couple's Colquitt home at the same time.

Following this special day, Herman said, "This is a point that very few people reach. Reaching it, the great job our kids and Cheryl did in planning the reception, and the large number of folks who helped us celebrate is overwhelming and really makes me feel special."

Out-of-area guests joined many classmates, friends and family from the Miller, Early, Seminole and Decatur County area: Peggy Moore of Tallahassee, FL; Joe Wayne and Glenda Johnson, Ocala, FL; Rev. Alvin and Gayle Sheffield, Coffee Springs, AL; Cliff Sheffield, Mobile, AL; Hamid and Terry Daftarian, Roswell; Anne and Jamie Madison, Fairburn; and high school classmate and bridesmaid in their wedding, Jackie Hayes Barber and Jim, Montgomery, AL.

First Baptist Church of Colquitt is very special to Herman and Shirley. They celebrated their 50th anniversary at the same church they attended as children, were baptized in, got married in, and now attend. There was a 41-year gap in all this while they lived in the Atlanta area. They see it as "completing the circle."