Published: October 19, 2007 07:55 am      

Carrs celebrate anniversary

CARPENDALE, W.Va. - Aug. 31, 2007, marked the 50th wedding anniversary celebration for William and Lola (Bowman) Carr.

Bill and Lola began their married life in 1957 when her father, the Rev. Lloyd S. Bowman, a retired missionary and pastor, married them in the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Sleepy Creek, W.Va. After the wedding they traveled to Greenville, S.C., and Bill finished his last year at Bob Jones University, where he earned his bachelor of arts degree. Lola worked as assistant secretary to the head of Greenville General Hospital School of Nursing.

The couple then went to Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kan., for three years, where Bill received his master's of divinity degree. During this time he had two student pastorates and Lola worked as secretary to the librarian of the seminary.

In 1961, they began their first pastorate in Leonardo, N.J. During the eight years there, they became parents of their three children. From 1969 to 1981 they served in Bridgeton, N.J. During seven of these 12 years, Mrs. Carr's parents lived with them, during which time her father was paralyzed and bedridden.

In 1981, the Carrs moved to Philadelphia, Pa., where they served for eight years, after which they moved to Cumberland. The Rev. Carr was pastor of Grace Baptist Church on Greene Street until 1996 when they retired and built a home in Carpendale, W.Va. After retirement, Rev. Carr received his doctorate from Andersonville Baptist Seminary.

Their three children and families planned a surprise evening for them Saturday, Sept. 1, at Christ Memorial Baptist Church in Westernport, at which time there was a program of worship and praise with over 100 people in attendance. All the children and grandchildren participated and a video of the Carrs' life was shown. Also, Bill and Lola renewed their vows to each other. A reception followed with a beautiful wedding cake and an array of delicious finger foods.

Dr. and Mrs. Carr are the parents of three children, the Rev. Dr. Scott Heywood Carr, wife, Wanda and children, Scott H. Carr Jr. and twin daughters Alisha Dawn and Melody Elizabeth), who reside in N.J.; Sharon Lynnette Carr, who resides in Carpendale; and the Rev. Dr. Steffan Trent Carr, pastor of Christ Memorial Baptist Church, and wife, Leslie and daughter, Joanna Virginia. The family sent the couple to Willow Valley Estate in Lancaster, Pa., for a "Honeymoon" trip.

Bill and Lola wish to thank all who helped make this celebration so meaningful and never-to-be-forgotten!