Around Alpharetta/Milton/Windward
Nelda and Ralph C. Berry will be celebrating their 55th Wedding Anniversary on June 8 and they are Around Town Alpharetta/Milton's Tournament of Roses Winners.
The Berry's met at a singing in Alpharetta, an event where the whole community would come together once a year and enjoy each other's fellowship, covered dishes and best of all the singing. Nelda's first thoughts about Ralph were 'boy is he handsome and so tall.'
Before Ralph joined the Air Force, he worked at the Coca-Cola plant and Nelda would watch him walk home while she was busy fixing hair at the Thomas Beauty Shop in Roswell. After his Air Force basic training, Ralph came home for leave and sparks started to fly when they both attended the annual singing. "We got engaged and told my parents we wouldn't get married until he was out of the service which was suppose to be 2-1/2 years later, but then the Korean war started," Nelda said. But it didn't work out quite like that, Nelda and Ralph changed their minds and drove to Cumming, got a marriage certificate and were married in Ralph's sister's home. "My parents didn't even get to come because we hadn't told them until the day before that we were going to get married," Nelda continued.
"We left for Luke Air Force Base with everything we owned in a 1946 Ford and drove 1,892 miles to Phoenix, Arizona," Ralph said. They both admit it was a little scary to drive that far knowing they didn't have a place to live and little money. It took them five days to drive to Arizona. "It was the first time I had ever been that far from home," Nelda said. "I had just turned 20 three days after we were married and Ralph was only 22," she continued.
Ralph and Nelda still are busy today. Ralph drives cars for several car dealers in the area, sometimes taking cars as far away as South Carolina. Nelda will sometimes travel with him when she is not busy driving the City Bus for the Senior Citizens on their activities. The Berry's have two children, Anne Todd and Richard Berry. They also have three wonderful grandchildren, Ashley and Savannah Berry and Hunter Todd. They attend Alpharetta First Baptist Church and have lived in Alpharetta since 1957.
When asked what words of wisdom they would give couples today who are considering marriage, Ralph quickly said, "Marriage is not easy, it is hard work and you must always put your partner first, not only with your actions but with your thoughts." Nelda also said, "A couple needs to work together."
A very special "Thank You" to Dolores, owner of Not Just Flowers for generously donating the beautiful long stem roses and vase for our Tournament of Roses couple.
For more information, please call Not Just Flowers at (770) 664-6296 or visit 363 South Main Street, Alpharetta.