DURHAM – Kyna Kibibi McCullough and Fredrick LaVon Gooden were united in marriage at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2003, at St. Joseph AME Church in Durham.

Officiating at the double ring ceremony was the Rev. Patrick H. Young of Ahoskie.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles McCullough of Ahoskie. She is the maternal granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Alex Satterwhite and the paternal granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James McCullough.

A graduate of Howard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the bride is employed at UNC-CH, while enrolled in a doctorate program at this university.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gooden of Dillon, SC. He is the maternal grandson of Mr. Elijah Taylor and the late Mrs. Sarah Taylor. He is the paternal grandson of Mr. and Mrs. David Buie.

A graduate of Morris College, the groom is employed by Duke University. He is also enrolled in a doctorate program at N.C. State University.

The bride was given in marriage by her father.

The bride wore a gown designed by Maggie Soltero. The gown, of white satin, featured a strapless neckline, accented with pearls and clear sequins. An A-line with cathedral length train, trimmed with pearls and sequins. A double layer veil of elbow length fell from a silver tiara with peals accents to complete the look. The bride carried a bouquet of purpose roses, amethyst cala lilies, white stephanotis, and greenery.

The matron of honor was Mrs. Ymani Worthington, cousin of the bride, of Knightdale. Ms. Valarie Wright, friend of the bride of Atlanta, GA, was maid of honor.

Bridesmaids were Ms. Ahinee Amamoo, friend of the bride, of Durham; Mrs. Mikenlette Avent, friend of the bride, of Raleigh; Ms. Eulinda Gooden, sister of the groom, of Raleigh; Ms. Sarah Gooden, sister of the groom, of Dillon, SC; Ms. Joan McCullough, sister-in-law of the bride, of Ahoskie; Ms. Jessica Moore, friend of the bride, of Orangeburg, SC; and Mrs. Vonda Reed, cousin of the bride, of Raleigh.

The bridesmaids wore amethyst gowns designed by Impressions Bridal.

Flower girls were little Miss Jasmine Gooden, daughter of the groom, of Florence, SC; little Miss Keiva McCullough, niece of the bride, of Greensboro; and little Miss Camillia Taylor, cousin of the groom, of Fayetteville.

Best men were Mr. Kelvin Greene of Durham, and Mr. Ramond Williams of Hamer, SC, both friends of the groom.

The groomsmen were Mr. Calvin Gamble, friend of the groom, of Charlotte; Mr. Quinton Gillespie, cousin of the groom, of Greensboro; Mr. Eric Greene, friend of the groom, of Korea; Mr. Keith McCullough, brother of the bride, of Ahoskie; Mr. Hubert Robinson, friend of the groom, of Orangeburg, SC; Mr. Milton Taylor, cousin of the groom, of Fairmont; and Mr. Frankie White, cousin of the bride, of Durham.

Ring bearer was Master Joshua Taylor, cousin of the groom, of Dillon, SC.

Ushers were Mr. Geoffrey George of Dillon, SC, Mr. Kenny George of Dillon, SC and Mr. Victor McCall of Florence, SC, all friends of the groom.

The hostesses were Ms. Eureka Bryant of Cleveland, OH and Ms. Seronda Jackson of Durham, both friends of the bride.

Mrs. Phyllis Wright and Ms. Karen Wright of Something Borrowed Something Blue in Durham were the wedding/reception directresses.

Wedding music was provided by Ms. Shea Taylor, cousin of the groom, of Raleigh and Mr. Jimmy Taylor, uncle of the groom, of Roland. Reception music was provided by Sweet Dreams, a six-piece band of Greensboro. The wedding cake and grooms cake was provided by cousin of the bride Vonda Reed of Satterwhite’s Sweets in Raleigh.

The reception was held at Treyburn Country Club in Durham.

The couple honeymooned in Ochos Rios, Jamaica. They will reside in Durham.

Courtesies

May – A Weekend with the Girls, hosted by Valarie Wright and Ymani Worthington, at the home of Valarie Wright in Atlanta, GA.

June 7 – Bridal Shower at Jernigan’s Bed and Breakfast in Ahoskie, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Charles McCullough.

June 14 – Kitchen and Bath Shower hosted by Ahinee Amamoo at the home of Carol Bolden in Durham.

June – Lingerie Shower, hosted by bridesmaids, at the Raleigh Residence Inn.

July 11 – Rehearsal dinner at St. Joseph AME Church in Durham, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gooden.