DALTON —
Diane and Charles Bonds admit their 35 years of marriage haven’t always been easy.
But they say by making God their top priority, they have been able to “make it through” every situation they’ve faced.
The Bonds, of Dalton, were one of 22 couples nominated for the Black Marriage Hall of Fame this year for their dedication to their marriage. The nominees were presented at Family Framework’s Black Marriage Day celebration on Sunday at True Gospel Pentecostal Church. The day has been celebrated locally for three years.
Couples also renewed their wedding vows at the celebration.
The Bonds have attended the celebration in previous years as well. They said they want to be an example to other couples.
“Love conquers all,” Diane Bonds said. “Know you can make it through hardships. Instead of husband and wife pulling together, they’re pulling apart. Put God first, and you’ll make it through.”
Virginia Burton Gray, Sunday’s keynote speaker, also placed importance on making God a priority in marriages.
“Maintaining a stable lasting marriage is no different than maintaining the ultimate relationship — your relationship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is not until we get this relationship in order that all relationships will function properly,” said Gray, former Clayton County commissioner and current member of the Clayton County Marriage Initiative Board.
“This weekend has been set aside to commemorate, promote, strengthen, defend and honor the institution of marriage,” she said.
The purpose of Black Marriage Day is to “lift up” couples who have stayed married and to “show the community that we have some strong marriages,” said Kathy Schleier, Family Framework’s executive director.
Divorce rates are much higher among the black population, Schleier said. She said divorce rates have been declining in the area over the past six years. She didn’t have exact numbers for Whitfield County available at the celebration.
Minnie Marsh, who helps organize the event annually, said Dalton is one of approximately 300 cities nationwide that celebrate Black Marriage Day.
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Couples inducted into Dalton’s Black Marriage Hall of Fame for being married more than 20 years were Hubert and Minnie Marsh, Jerry and Annette Smith, James and Deloise Suttles, Jerry and Sandra Watters and Kenneth and Barbara Willis. Ben and Joy Nwadike were inducted as a couple married less than 20 years.
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