One Sunday morning in 1959 Gordon Brown met the love of his life. He was attending a worship service at Union Chapel Baptist Church when his future wife walked through the door.
Gordon said his first thought was that Jewel was beautiful. Jewel noticed him, too.
“When I saw him, I just knew he was the guy for me and I wouldn’t change it if I could,” Jewel said.
While they were obviously smitten, their time together was limited.
“Back then you didn’t go out on car dates,” Gordon said. “Most didn’t have that privilege. Back then they were really protective of their kids—a lot more than they are today. Even at 18 you didn’t go out on car dates.”
Gordon and Jewel often saw each other during church on Sundays and sometimes Gordon would travel to Liberty where Jewel lived.
“He walked all the way from here to Casey County to see me,” Jewel said. “He walked 20 miles. He didn’t have a car at the time.”
Sometimes Gordon’s cousin was allowed to drive Jewel home from church with Gordon.
“But her parents were right there behind us in their car,” Gordon laughs. “We just kept on dating.”
FAMILY LIFE
Gordon moved to Indiana a short time after they met to find a job. Soon after, the couple married on Oct. 6, 1962. The couple then moved back to Adair County where they have raised their three children.
Some of the most rewarding moments in their 50 years together are with the children they share. They have three daughters—Lisa Greer, Melinda Quinn and Martha Percell.
“My greatest moment was when I seen our first baby Lisa Gail,” Gordon said. “We had a lot of great memories but that was one of the top 10.”
Gordon said in their 50 years of marriage they have never once had the first argument.
“Their love shines in their eyes every time they look at each other, and they let their love show in their love for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren,” their daughter Lisa said.
Gordon and Jewel were always side-by-side.
“Wherever he went, I went,” Jewel said.
The same concept goes for their children.
“We didn’t go anywhere if we couldn’t bring the kids, either,” Gordon said.
The couple raised their children in the Cooper Ridge area where they farm, mainly raising beef cattle.
FAITH AND LOVE
Today, their faith in God and belief in true love have kept them together through a half a century of marriage.
Gordon believes the main ingredients in a long and happy marriage are true love and supporting each other.
“Marriage is not a one sided thing,” Gordon said. “It takes two to pull it together.”
Recently the two sat down and looked at some photos from the past.
“I told her ‘You were a cute chick then, but now you’re a beautiful hen,’” Gordon said. “She’s good enough for me to start with and she’s good enough for me to end with.”
They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in October and are both celebrating their 70th birthdays this month. Jewel’s birthday was Feb. 9 while Gordon’s is Feb. 23.
“She’s just two weeks older than me, but that doesn’t make her the boss all the time,” Gordon joked.
Around five years ago the couple bought their current home, the former Grant Schoolhouse. Gordon attended school there before it was converted into a house. They can step outside and be in full view of the church where they first met, where they still attend.
“I believe their successful marriage is due to above all their faith. There is never a Sunday of church missed unless they are sick,” Geer said. “I cannot remember dad never teaching Sunday school or reading the Bible before he went to bed at night. And believe me if they were in church so was us girls.”
Jewel said they have had their laughs when they get to thinking about their past together, but faith plays a huge role in their relationship. Jewel believes it’s important to have a Christian home and stay in church.
“We’ve really had a good life,” Jewel said. “Our Lord has blessed us with our life together…Learn to love each other and trust each other and keep your faith in the Lord.”
By Allison Cross
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