Somerset Park couple celebrates five decades together
The couple recalled that their wedding buffet cost R1.50 per person.
MEMORIES came flooding in for Franklin and Sally Churchill last week as they reflected on being married for 50 years.
The Churchills’ special wedding anniversary, which was on Friday, November 30, saw them celebrate with their children and grandchildren at a luncheon.
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Speaking to Northglen News from their Somerset Park home, Sally (72) explained how she and Franklin (78) met.
“We met at an office party. I was 19 and he was 25 at the time. We worked at a municipal building on Old Fort Road but in different departments and floors of the building, so we never saw each other before that,” said Sally.
A month had passed, and Sally was brave enough to make the first move by asking Franklin to accompany her to a show.
Of course, he agreed and even planned a special dinner at the Edward Hotel afterwards.
“He picked me up in his Volvo which was quite impressive. I thought I had died and gone to heaven,” said Sally.
Since then, the two have been inseparable.
The Churchills dated for just over two years before Franklin popped the question. Well, it wasn’t exactly a question but more of a statement.
He explains, “We went out to the beach for a day out. I was fishing, and Sally was swimming. After our meal, Sally asked me if I wanted to keep the chopsticks, to which I asked, ‘What does it matter? One day, all our stuff will be in one place.’ I meant we would be married and living together,” he said.
Five months later, they married at the Old Fort Chapel with 100 guests invited to witness them pledge their love for each other.
“The wedding buffet cost R1.50 per person. Can you believe it?” asked Franklin.
The couple then went on honeymoon to LA Crete in Ramsgate on the lower South Coast.
They have three children, Louise, Ross and Gennavive, and three grandchildren, Harper, Emily and Noah, who are the apples of their eyes.
Now in their retirement, the Churchills spend their time volunteering for many charitable causes. They’ve also been foster parents in the past and have opened their home to many children as they waited to be united with their forever families.
“Our recipe for a good, long marriage is to put God first and to do everything together,” said Sally.
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