Bess Mellette, James Smith Jr. marry

Elizabeth Gentry “Bess” Mellette of Columbia and James Cromer Smith Jr. of Lexington were united in marriage June 3 at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia. The Rev. Joshua Squires officiated the 6 o’clock ceremony. A reception at Senate’s End immediately followed the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Herbert Mellette of Columbia. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Miller Herbert Mellette of Turbeville and Mrs. Sally G. Horton and the late Mr. E. Mack Horton of Spartanburg.

Bess is a graduate of Columbia College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and of the University of South Carolina, where she earned a master’s degree in education administration. She is employed with Satchel Ford Elementary School in Columbia as a fifth-grade teacher.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Cromer Smith Sr. of Lexington. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. James R. Smith of Aiken and Mrs. Hellan M. Prim and the late Mr. Lloyd L. Prim of Columbia.

James is a graduate of Georgia Southern University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing. He is employed with Zimmer Biomet as a sales representative.

Bess was given in marriage by her parents. Jennifer Day of Columbia, the bride’s sister, was matron of honor. Maid of honor was Anne-Marie Parrish of Charlotte, North Carolina. Bridesmaids were Sarah Fisher, Cille Galante, Sumner Livingston, and Mariela Macias, all of Columbia, and Elizabeth Willis of Mount Pleasant. The bride’s nieces, Anaya Armstrong, Liyla Armstrong, Sophia Armstrong, and Vanessa Armstrong of Aiken and Mackenzie Day of Columbia were honorary attendants. The groom’s niece, Mary Frances Willis of Mount Pleasant, was flower girl.

The groom’s father was the best man. Groomsmen were Brian Armstrong of Aiken; Jason Brown of Rock Hill; Mac McDaniel of Augusta, Georgia; Chad Meservey of Birmingham, Alabama; Tate Smith of Canton, Georgia; and Shawn Willis of Mount Pleasant. The groom’s nephew, Cothran Willis of Mount Pleasant, was ring bearer.

The bride’s nephew Christopher Armstrong of Columbia was an usher. Her nephews Colin and Ethan Day of Columbia were greeters.

After a honeymoon trip to St. Lucia, the couple will reside in Cayce.

This story was originally published June 11, 2017 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Bess Mellette, James Smith Jr. marry."