Llue Gidron and Lillie Bell Gidron celebrate 72nd anniversary

Llue and Lillie Bell Gidron of Columbia recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.

The couple, who were childhood friends and neighbors, were married Oct. 17, 1945, in St. Matthews.

Their children are Roy Louis (Hazel) Gidron, Diane Singleton, Joseph Gidron, Doris Gidron, Juanita (Willie) Geiger, Janice Gidron, and David (Claudia) Gidron. Their 10 grandchildren are Monica L. Gidron, Roy Laquin Gidron, Carlos Gidron, Trevor Gidron, Cortland Copeland, Joshua Copeland, Nefertiti DuBard, Mekeda DuBard, Tiye DuBard, and Leo Gidron.

They have seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

“We were planning a surprise 70th wedding anniversary in October 2015,” daughter Juanita writes. “That was the month that South Carolina experienced major flooding. The roads … were badly damaged throughout the state. We were going to cancel the celebration because we did not want our friends and family members to travel to Columbia and then back home on the dark roads. We finally decided about three days before the celebration to proceed with our plans.

“Our parents thought that we were having the usual family barbecue and were pleasantly surprised to see all of their friends and family members who traveled varying distance throughout the state and afar to celebrate with them. We had a great turnout and a wonderful time!”

This story was originally published January 14, 2018 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Llue Gidron and Lillie Bell Gidron celebrate 72nd anniversary."