Seventy years of married bliss
by Wanda Griffin

Mr. and Mrs. B.A. Middleton

Mr. and Mrs. B.A. Middleton celebrated 70 years of married bliss on January 1, 2008.

Mr. Bruton and Ms. Eva married on January 1, 1938, in Colquitt at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.T. Middleton. The Rev. Drew Floyd married the young couple when Bruton was 24 years old and Eva was 22. Ms. Eva was the daughter of the late John Isom and Julia Bush Davis, also of Colquitt.

The couple never had children but devoted their time to their farming operation. While Mr. Bruton has farmed all of his life up until last year, Ms. Eva worked as a nurse for over 36 years with Drs. Merritt, Rentz and Houston at the Miller County Hospital.

When asked how many years they dated before marriage, Ms. Eva quickly replied, "We courted off and on for nine years, but when we finally decided to get married, we knew we wanted each other."

Mr. Bruton and Ms. Eva still reside on Lane Road in Miller County where they have lived since 1957. Ms. Eva enjoys growing African violets and has many varieties in her sun room. "I always liked violets, and when I got a chance, I turned my porch into a sun room where I could grow them. I enjoy sitting out here reading my devotion each morning and talking to the violets, because you know that makes them grow when you talk to them," she stated.

Miss Eva, when asked what they did on their anniversary said laughing, " We just sat here and looked at one another."

Mr. Bruton and Miss Eva did enjoy dining out for lunch that day. Mr. Bruton's niece, Lisa Corbin, and her husband, Rick of Valdosta, spent the day with them and carried them out for lunch.

The couple hope to have many more years together.