MURFREESBORO – Jackie Howard Pridgen of Ahoskie and Robert Vann Pierce, also of Ahoskie, were united in marriage in a 5 p.m. candlelight service September 20, 2003 at Meherrin Baptist Church.

The bride is the daughter of Curtis and Louise Howard of Murfreesboro.

The groom is the son of Leroy Pierce and the late Foy Pierce of Colerain.

The Rev. Billy Sellers of Murfreesboro officiated the ceremony.

The bride was given in marriage by her daughter, Lauren Pridgen.

Lauren, escorting her mother, wore a black tee length dress entirely embellished with lace overtop black satin, coordinating with her mother’s gown, accentuated with black sequins at the waistline with spaghetti straps featuring a criss-cross of the upper back with finishing of tied bow at the waist. She carried a smaller lying arm bouquet of same fuschia and white assorted flowers as in her mother’s bouquet with additional silver hearts of three to accentuate the pearls and ivy.

The bride wore a gown designed exclusively for David’s Bridals by Oleg Cassini. The gown, entirely embellished of ivory schiffli lace overtop of satin, was accentuated with sequins and beaded pearls which featured a front and back scoop neckline with pearl beaded spaghetti straps with a flow of satin covered buttons through empire waistline. The empire waistline was accentuated by pearl trim which flowed into a sequin scalloped sweep train. A double layer of elbow length illusion veil fell from a professional styled half up and half down up-do to complete the look.

The bride carried a bouquet of fuschia and white assorted flowers accentuated with pearls and ivy.

Bridesmaids were Lauren Pierce and Chelsea Pierce, both of Ahoskie and daughters of the groom.

The bridesmaids wore black tea length dresses embellished with sequins of the bodice which featured spaghetti straps. The bridesmaids carried a lying arm bouquet of fuschia and white assorted flowers accented with pearls and ivy coordinating with bride’s bouquet.

&uot;Lighting up our lives&uot; honoraries which walked the isle and lit candelabra were: Laura Traylor of Eure, Cindy Benton of Ahoskie, Sheree Barmer of Ahoskie, Diane Craddock of Rocky Mount and Wendy Howard of Conway.

Also, Truett Robertson of Ahoskie, Carlton Beale Jr. of Ahoskie, Perry Martin Jr. of Ahoskie, Donnie Joyner of Windsor, Tommy Howard of Ahoskie, Stuart Howard of Conway and Ralph Brinkley of Ahoskie.

Honorary ladies wore black tea-length dresses of their choice and carried a lying arm bouquet of white and fuschia assorted flowers accented with baby’s breath and ivy.

Honorary gentlemen wore suits of their choice with white boutonnieres.

Ryan Pierce of Ahoskie, son of the groom, served as best man.

Ushers were Tommy Howard of Ahoskie, brother of the bride, Stuart Howard of Conway, brother of bride and Ralph Brinkley of Ahoskie, cousin of the bride.

Mistress of ceremonies was Debbie Brinkley of New Bern.

Music was presented by Mitch Miles, soloist and Joyce Miller, pianist.

A reception was held at Meherrin Baptist Church fellowship hall followed by a &uot;dance&uot; honoring the bride and groom at The Ahoskie Inn (given by family and friends). However, due to Hurricane Isabel, the dance had to be cancelled until a later date.

Due to Hurricane Isabel, the couple had to postpone a Caribbean Cruise and took a mini-honeymoon to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The couple will make their home in Ahoskie.

The bride is a 1985 graduate of Ridgecroft School, graduate of Chowan College with Associate Degree; employed at the law firm of Baker, Jenkins, Jones, Murray, Askew & Carter, PA as a legal assistant.

The groom is a 1981 graduate of Lawrence Academy; attended East Carolina University; employed with Perdue Farms of Lewiston a Growout Area Supervisor.

Courtesy

August 24 – A miscellaneous shower was given by friends and family at Meherrin Baptist Church.