Celebrations – Engagements

Bart and Becky Gardner, Jonesborough, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Sarah Rebecca May Gardner, to Jared David Burgner, son of David (Hank) and Jill Burgner, Erwin. The bride-elect is a home school graduate, and attended Northeast State Community College. She is employed by Washington County Circuit Court. She is the granddaughter of Roger and Sharon Gardner, Unicoi, Diane Gardner, Elizabethton, Opal Barnett, Elizabethton, and the late Willie Anderson Barnett. He fiance is a graduate of David Crockett High School and attends Tusculum College. He is employed by Dreicor, Inc. He is the grandson of David and Jane Burgner, Erwin, and David and Nell Story, Erwin. The couple will be married in a 5 p.m., open-church ceremony at Embreeville United Methodist Church on March 30, 2013.

Randall and Pat Keplinger, Erwin, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Alicia Sue Keplinger, to Estel F. Williams III, son of Estel F. II and Patty Williams, Piney Flats. The bride-elect is a 2003 graduate of Unicoi County High School and East Tennessee State University in 2008, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in ECED. She is employed by the Unicoi County Board of Education and CVS Pharmacy of Erwin. She is the granddaughter of the late Harold and Virgie Tapp and the late Walter L. and Ruth Keplinger. Her fiancé is a 1999 graduate of Unicoi County High School and is employed by Core Services of Washington County. He is the grandson of the late Estel F. and Hazel Williams and the late George and Elizabeth Cox. The couple will be married in a 4 p.m., open-church ceremony at Edgefield Methodist Church, Piney Flats, on Dec. 11, 2010.

Jeff and Jan Hanks, Brighton, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter Jenna Lee, to Robert Dustin Gibson, son of Diane Gibson, Erwin, and the late Daniel Mark Shipley. The bride-elect is a graduate of Covington High School and the University of Memphis, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is employed as registered nurse at Johnson City Medical Center. She is the granddaughter of Kyle and Carolyn Hanks, Burlison, Shirley Cook, Brighton, and the late Joe Cook. Her fiance is a graduate of Unicoi County High School and served in the U.S. Air Force. He is employed by the Johnson City Police Department as a police officer. He is the grandson of Sue Foster, Erwin, and Paul and Brenda Foster, Erwin. The couple will be married Oct. 23, 2010, in private ceremony to begin at noon.

Terry and Cassie Smith, Unicoi, and David and Sheri Byrd, Brooks, Ga., announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Sarah Nicole Byrd, to Jamie Patrick McBrearty, son of Tom and JoAnne McBrearty, Tallahassee, Fla. The bride-elect is a 1998 graduate of Unicoi County High School and received a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Tennessee in 2002. She is employed by Florida Hospital Association as director of communications. She is the granddaughter of Adene J. Beal, Crawfordville, Fla., the late Joe F. Beal, Mary L. Davis, Florence, Miss., the late Lee Davis, and Ann Adkins, Hampton. Her fiance is a 1996 graduate of Citrus High School and a 2004 graduate of Florida State University, where he earned a master’s degree in physical education. He is employed by Canopy Oaks Elementary School as a physical education teacher and head of Leon High School soccer program. He is the grandson of the late William and Helen LaTour and the late Charles and Anne McBrearty. The couple will be married in an open church ceremony, July 23, 2011, at Trinity Reform Church in Tallahassee, Fla.

Christy Alexander, Erwin, and Ronnie Arnold, Johnson City, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Kearstin Renae Arnold, to Eric David Dewayne Peterson, son of the Rev. Ferrell and Marcella Peterson, Erwin. The bride-elect is a 2004 graduate of University High School, Johnson City, and a student at Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology, where she will graduate in Feb. 2011. She is a member of Hulen Baptist Church, and is the granddaughter of Mary and Randy Owens, Erwin, and Peggy Arnold, Johnson City. Her fiance is a 2002 graduate of Unicoi County High School and is employed by Nuclear Fuel Services as an operator. He is a member of Hulen Baptist Church, and is the grandson of Ed and Louise Scism, Jonesborough, and Mary Peterson, Erwin, and the late Wayne B. Peterson, and the late Charles Fowler. The couple will be married early in 2011.

Jeff and Jan Hanks, Brighton, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter Jenna Lee, to Robert Dustin Gibson, son of Diane Gibson, Erwin, and the late Daniel Mark Shipley. The bride-elect is a graduate of Covington High School, and the University of Memphis, with a bachelors degree in nursing. She is employed as an RN at the Johnson City Medical Center. She is the granddaughter of Kyle and Carolyn Hanks, Burlison, and Shirley Cook, Brighton, and the late Joe Cook. Her fiance is a graduate of Unicoi County High School, and served in the United States Air Force. He is employed by the Johnson City Police Department as a police officer. The couple will be married on Oct. 23, 2010, in private ceremony to begin at noon.

Mr. and Mrs. Carter Nazaret Sánchez Brandt of Guatire, Venezuela, announce the engagement of their daughter, Camalgé Nazareth, to Robert Brown Stromberg, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Stromberg, Erwin. Ms. Sánchez is a 2003 graduate of Pacairigua High School and is currently in her final year of study at the Central University of Venezuela Dental School. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Luis Eduardo Sánchez Quintero, Caracas, Venezuela, and the late Angelo Sapienza Manzella and the late Mirta Aurora González Garcia. Mr. Stromberg graduated from Unicoi County High School in 1994 and from Duke University in 1998. He completed his Masters Degree in International Studies at North Carolina State University in 2007. He has recently worked for an international and non-governmental organization in Washington, D.C., and is currently living and working in Caracas, Venezuela. He is the grandson of Mrs. Beryl S. Brown, Erwin, and the late Judge Haynes Brown, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Stromberg. The civil wedding ceremony will take place in Guatire in August, followed by religious ceremonies in Caracas and Erwin in the coming months. The couple will reside in Caracas, Venezuela.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Williams, Deweyville, Texas, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Jessica Rae Williams, to Matthew Isaac Shelton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shelton, Erwin. The bride elect is a 2003 graduate of Parkview Baptist High School, Texas. Her fiance is a 2001 Unicoi County High School graduate and is employed by BKR Enterprise, Texas. The couple will be married in a 4 p.m. ceremony, Aug. 21, 2010, at Garden District, Orange, Texas.

Mary Doty, Erwin, announces the engagement and forthcoming marriage of her daughter, Tonya Kay Willis, to Michael David McCurry, son of David and Anna Lea McCurry, Erwin. The bride-elect is co-owner of Unique Hair Boutique in Erwin. She is a 1986 graduate of Unicoi County High School and a graduate of Artiste School of Cosmetology. She is the granddaughter of Lish and Mildred Edney, Erwin. Her fiance is a 1979 graduate of Unicoi County High School and is employed by Power Energy Maintenance as a millwright. He is the grandson of Ethel McCurry, Erwin, the late Loss McCurry, and the late Buford and Pansy Peterson. The couple will be married in a private ceremony in Erwin on Friday, July 23, 2010.

Jeffery and Jacquelin Hawkins, Erwin, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Ashley Lynn Hawkins, to Gary-Martin Watts, son of Martin and Cindy Watts, Kinston, N.C. The bride-elect is a 2010 graduate of Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va., where she earned a bachelor’s degree in worship music. She is the granddaughter of Benny and Sandra Whitson of Erwin. Her fiance is a student at Liberty University and will graduate in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in English. The couple plan a wedding ceremony for Saturday, Aug. 7, at Erwin First Assembly of God.

Charles and Betty Hensley, Jacksonville, Fla., announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Shalina Gayle Hensley, to Adam Bradley Willis, son of Brad and Ruth Willis, Erwin. The bride-elect is a 2001 graduate of Andrew Jackson High School, and received a bachelors degree in elementary education in 2005 from UNF. She is employed by Washington County Schools as a teacher. She is the granddaughter of Susan Ponder, Weaverville, N.C., and Eileen Hensley, Jacksonville, Fla., and the late Richard and Zelma Ponder, and the late Arnold Hensley Sr. She is a member of Gravel Hill Baptist Church. Her fiance is a 2001 graduate of Unicoi County High School and received a bachelors degree in electronic technology in 2006 from East Tennessee State University. He is employed by Mahle, Inc., and is the grandson of Shirley Fender, Erwin, and Glenna and Everett Tipton, Erwin, and the late Raymond Fender, and the late Harold Willis. He is a member of Coffee Ridge Baptist Church. The couple will be married in a 1 p.m., private ceremony at Gravel Hill Baptist Church on Sept. 4, 2010.

John and Joan Willis, Erwin, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Rachel Marie Willis, to Landon Marshall Ayers, son of Tim and Beverly Ayers, Erwin. The bride-elect is a 2002 graduate of Unicoi County High School and a 2006 graduate of East Tennessee State University with a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education. She is employed by the Elizabethton City Schools as an elementary teacher. She is the granddaughter of Geri Arnold, Erwin, and Imogene Willis, Erwin, and the late Harley Willis. Her fiance is a 2002 graduate of Unicoi County High School and a 2006 graduate of East Tennessee State University where he earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. He is the grandson of June Masters, Erwin, and the late Howard and Betty Ayers, and the late Tom Masters. The couple will be married Saturday, June 26, 2010, in a 2 p.m. open-church wedding at Marvin’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Johnson City.

Ronnie and Darlene Higgins, Erwin, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Kelly Nicole Higgins, to Josh Cody Edwards, son of Linda Edwards Wiggs and Charles H. Edwards, both of Erwin. The bride-elect is a graduate of Unicoi County High School, and is employed at a nursing home as a CNA. She is the granddaughter of Howard Ray, Unicoi, and the late Barbara Ray, and the late Polly and R.H. Higgins. Her fiance is a graduate of Unicoi County High School and Elizabethton Technical Center. He is employed by PPM Construction, as a welder and iron worker. He is the grandson of Hilda Faye Edwards and M.L. Phillips, Erwin, Ruth C. Wiggs, and the late Harry Edwards and the late Bob Wiggs. The couple will be married in an open ceremony at 5 p.m., June 19, 2010, at 328 Piney Grove Rd., Hampton.

Announcement has been made of the engagement and forthcoming marriage of Sharon Denise Baines and Douglas Freeman Jones. The bride-elect is the daughter of Martha J. Campbell, Elizabethton, and the late Carl W. Campbell. She is employed by Blue Ridge Physical Therapy, Johnson City, as a licensed massage therapist and certified lymphedema therapist. Her fiance is the son of the Rev. Bernie and Wanda Jones, Erwin. He is retired from government service and is self-employed. The couple plan a private ceremony and reception to be held in May in Gatlinburg.

Douglas and Donna Smith, Elizabethton, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Laura Brooke Casteel, to Joseph Andrew Sneyd, son of Joseph Lee and Linda Sneyd, Unicoi. The bride-elect is a senior at Happy Valley High School and will be attending East Tennessee State University in the fall. She is employed by Taco Bell, Elizabethton, as a crew trainer. She is a member of Lighthouse for Jesus Church, Elizabethton. She is the granddaughter of Raymond and Florence Willis, Johnson City, and Faith Smith, Elizabethton. Her fiance is a graduate of Unicoi County High School and is a student at East Tennessee State University, where he is studying respiratory therapy. He is employed by Kroger, Johnson City, as a customer service representative. He is active in the Boy Scouts of America and in ministry. He is the grandson of Charles and Charlotte Johnson, Erwin, Pleasey Sneyd, Unicoi, and the late Bertha Sneyd. The couple will be married in an open-church ceremony at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 19, 2010, at Lighthouse for Jesus Church in Elizabethton.

Douglas and Donna Smith, Elizabethton, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Laura Brooke Casteel, to Joseph Andrew Sneyd, son of Joseph Lee and Linda Sneyd, Unicoi. The bride-elect is a senior at Happy Valley High School and will be attending East Tennessee State University in the fall. She is employed by Taco Bell, Elizabethton, as a crew trainer. She is a member of Lighthouse for Jesus Church, Elizabethton, and is the granddaughter of Raymond and Florence Willis, Johnson City, and Faith Smith, Elizabethton. Her fiance is a graduate of Unicoi County High School and is a student at East Tennessee State University, where he is studying respiratory therapy. He is employed by Kroger, Johnson City, as a customer service representative. He is active in the Boy Scouts of America, and is the grandson of Charles and Charlotte Johnson, Erwin, Pleasey Sneyd, Unicoi, and the late Bertha Sneyd. The couple will be married in an open-church ceremony at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 19, 2010, at Lighthouse for Jesus Church in Elizabethton.

Timmothy Hampton and Diana Crumley, both of Erwin, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Christina Ruth Hampton, to Brian Andrew Silvers, son of Shirley Merril, Jonesborough, and Stanley Silvers, Flag Pond. The bride-elect is employed by Rocky’s Pizza as manager. She is the granddaughter of Lois Hampton, Johnson City, and the late Lawrence Hampton. Her fiance is employed by CSX Railroad as a carman. He is the grandson of Ward Watts, Flag Pond, and the late Cathleen Watts. The couple will be married in a private ceremony Sunday, June 13, 2010, at 3 p.m. at The Wedding Loft in Jonesborough.

Kathy E. Gregory, Johnson City, and Steve Gregory, Gray, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Nicole Danyeil Gregory, to Seth Thomas Ferguson, son of Kenneth and Connie Ferguson, Erwin. The bride-elect attended Daniel Boone High School. She is employed as a sales representative with Dial America. She is the granddaughter of the late Doris Elliott McKeehan, the late Robert T. Elliott, the late Joann Gregory and the late Eugene Gregory. Her fiance is a 2003 graduate of Unicoi County High School. He is employed by Gabriel Bros. as a processor. He is the grandson of Sue E. Ferguson, Oklahoma City, Okla., the late Rev. C.H. Ferguson, and the late C.A. and Alice Slone. He is a member of Highlands Christian Fellowship Hall in Abingdon, Va. The couple will be married in an open-church wedding, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 1, 2010, at Embreeville Church of Christ, 4343 Highway 81S, Erwin.

Kathy E. Gregory, Johnson City, and Steve Gregory, Gray, announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Nicole Danyeil Gregory, to Seth Thomas Ferguson, son of Kenneth and Connie Ferguson, Erwin. The bride-elect attended Daniel Boone High School. She is employed as a sales representative with Dial America. She is the granddaughter of the late Doris Elliott McKeehan, the late Robert T. Elliott, the late Joann Gregory and the late Eugene Gregory. Her fiance is a 2003 graduate of Unicoi County High School. He is employed by Gabriel Bros. as a processor. He is the grandson of Sue E. Ferguson, Oklahoma City, Okla., the late Rev. C.H. Ferguson, and the late C.A. and Alice Slone. He is a member of Highlands Christian Fellowship Hall in Abingdon, Va. The couple will be married in an open-church wedding, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 1, 2010, at Embreeville Church of Christ, 4343 Highway 81S, Erwin.