Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Edwards Jr. celebrate 50th anniversary

Gene and Mina Edwards at Mina's Senior Prom at Dreher High School in 1953

Hammond E. "Gene" and Wilhelmina "Mina" Edwards will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary November 19, 2006, at a reception given by their sons.

Gene and Mina were married at Good Shepherd Friday, November 16, 1956, at 5:30 pm. The date was the 33rd wedding anniversary of Gene's parents. The Rev. Harold F. Park officiated at the 1956 ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Hammond Edwards Sr. were married at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Friday, November 16, 1923, at 5:30 pm.

Gene and Mina are the proud parents of Hammond E. (Sheri) Edwards III of Columbia and Hugh Macon (Kelli) Edwards of Chapin. They are also proud grandparents of four beautiful grandchildren: Hammond E. IV and Anna DuPre' Edwards of Columbia, and Griffin Hugh and Abby Danielle Edwards of Chapin.

Gene is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Engineering and a registered Professional Engineer and Surveyor. He recently accepted a part-time job with Cox and Dinkins, Engineers, after retiring from 56 years of work in the engineering field with B.P. Barber and Associates, East Richland County Public Service District, and as the director of engineering and planning for the Town of Lexington.

Mina worked for several firms after the two sons were in school and retired from Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2000. She attained her first goal for retirement by completing the Clemson Master Gardener course. She enjoys the activies of Master Gardening, dinner with friends who call themselves the "Golden Girls," and several women's groups. Most of all being with grandchildren.

Gene and Mina met on a blind date April, 1951, whe she was 15 and he was 19. They attended a Sunday night service with friends at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church on their first date. After dating five years, Gene proposed at the corner of Main and Taylor Streets while waiting to go across the street after they had left the jewelry store. It was a Kodak moment.