Celebrating 70 years of Marriage

Jurley and Merdic Andrus at a recent anniversary celebration.

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Merdic, 94, and Jurley Andrus, 87, of Eunice will celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.
The couple married on Feb. 14, 1940 in Vidrine at the home of her parents, Calvin “Goldie” and Odelia Jack of Vidrine with Rev. Abraham Wilson, former pastor of True Light Baptist Church of Eunice, officiating.
Merdic, originally of Pine Prairie, asked Olan Thomas, an uncle of the bride, to be his best man, along with Calvin “Goldie” Jack, father of the bride. The Maid of Honor was Jurley’s mother, Odelia Thomas Jack.
Jurley was a committed housewife who helped manage the couple’s grocery store in the early 50’s with Merdic possessing a third-grade education. Jurley, with a fifth-grade education, became a self-trained hair-dresser, seamstress, active PTA parent and was nominated Mother of the Year at Charles Drew.
Merdic held a job as a construction worker, and handyman.
“They have both lived under the commandment of God, His Laws, His statutes and His seals,” said Merdis Andrus Hughes, one of the couple’s dauaghters.
Despite the couple’s ages they both remain active Bible students and church-goers.
It was in 1950 that the couple joined the Golden Star Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Melvin Greene in Eunice bringing with them their 17 children to church. Merdic was an organizer and one of the remaining charter members who served there faithfully as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent, until the family left in 1956 for membership at The Second Baptist Church, where Rev. Wesley Givs is the pastor.
The couple enjoy daily visits from their children, grandchildren, relatives and friends.
They attend weekly prayer meetings and pray daily for their children.
The couple’s fifteen living children are: Lea Retta Rougeau (Charlie), Orelia Andrus, Daisie Kenney, Moses Andrus, Merdis Andrus (Joseph, Jr.), Ora Lee Andrus, Geraldine Crum (Bill), Nora Belle Moore, Joyce, Michael, Steve, Harry, Bervick (Tina), Linda Allison (Earl), Anna Belle Godfrey (Leonard). Merdic Jr. and Timothy are both deceased.
They have more than 40 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
The couple will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Feb. 14 at the Northwest Community Center at 3 p.m. and the public is invited.