Anniversary date: December 28, 1971
Sonny and Joan Moreman
Celebrating 54 Years of Marriage
“Careful son, who you look at, up those steps I first noticed the girl I married,” Henry Grady Moreman, III, aka Sonny, said to his son sitting outside East Samford school in Auburn. Joan Bradley Moreman reflects on how she and Sonny met. They both attended East Samford, which was the high school back then. Their first date was to prom when Joan was a sophomore, and Sonny was a junior.
Celebrating 54 years of marriage this December, the Moremans have much to be thankful for. The couple has four children: Hank, Brad, Sarah and Josie. They have eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The couple wed on December 28, 1971, at Farmville Baptist Church in Auburn. The Opelika-Auburn News wedding announcement describes the day in great detail. The couple was surrounded by family and friends from the community. The write-up describes Joan’s dress, “She wore a white dress with high collar and long lace sleeves which formed cuffs. The bodice was made of satin with lace overlay. Pearl buttons were sewn down the center front.” The write-up further describes the florals as “A bouquet of white rose, baby’s breath, lily of the valley and ivy.”
A grand affair was described in detail about the day. A modern trend of choosing a going away outfit was expected, even in 1971. “The bride chose an off-white, double-knit A-line street-length dress. Her accessories were brown kid gloves, a brown and orange scarf at the neck, and brown suede shoes.”
For their tenth wedding anniversary, Sonny surprised his bride with a renewal of their vows at First Baptist, complete with an overnight stay at the Heart of Auburn Hotel, just as they did in 1971. While the Heart of Auburn Hotel may not stand, Joan showcases her wedding dress to celebrate the couple’s marriage. “I wear my dress every five years, and we take photos. The first time was at our 25th anniversary,” states Joan.
Sonny had a 28-year career in the Air Force, which provided opportunities for the couple to move to various cities over that timeframe. Their first stop was Selma, Ala., followed by a stint in Knob Noster, Mo. Sonny then taught ROTC at Auburn University, briefly bringing the couple back to Auburn in 1982. Sonny spent a couple of years overseas in Saudi Arabia while Joan held down the fort in Alabama. The couple finally landed permanently in Auburn in 1988. Joan reflects, “We initially rented the house we now own.”
When asked what is unique about weddings from then to now, Joan remarked, “Brides today don’t pick out silver or china patterns. I had intended to use a simple silver pattern, but Sonny loved the heaviness of King Richard by Towle.” Joan went on to state they were registered at Ware’s Jewelers in the exact location still open today in downtown Auburn.
The Moremans enjoy living in Auburn close to family. Sonny has retired from the military, became a financial advisor, and now serves on the Auburn City Council, representing Ward 5. Joan serves as the preschool director at Lakeview Baptist Church, the couple’s home church. “I help with my grandchildren when needed, which brings me great joy,” says Joan. She says that Sonny is as busy now as he ever has been.
Celebrating 54 years of marriage is not as common these days. Their commitment is as steadfast as the heavy silver pattern selected in 1971; it has stood the test of time. When asked how she feels 54 years later, Joan says she may be unable to zip up her wedding dress at their 55th anniversary but exclaims, “Marriage is better now than ever!”
