Around Roswell
Robbing the cradle or love at first sight, to Gerry Powell it really didn’t matter; his eyes were on Mary and there wasn’t anything that was going to stop him from meeting her. The year was 1944 and Gerry was serving in the Army Aircorp based in Homestead, Florida. After beginning his army career in Michigan and completing basic training in California, Gerry was transferring to Homestead. Mary was attending Homestead High School and was a very shy girl – not that this stopped a man with love in his eyes. The high school in Homestead was in need of a musical director; Gerry had experience as a band director from his home state of Michigan where he directed his own band before joining the army. The school officials asked Gerry’s commander if he could direct their musical and the commander gave his approval. Each day at the end of rehearsal, Gerry would see Mary quietly sitting in her classroom, and finally he made his move. From that time on you would see Mary and Gerry together as often as their schedules would allow. That same commander, who gave Gerry permission to direct Homestead High School’s musical, got wind of Mary and Gerry’s plans to marry. "The commander brought me into his office and said, ‘I hear you are planning on getting married.’ I said yes, and he said, ‘If I was getting married I would have done it yesterday.’ It was a signal that we were going to be shipping out." Gerry and Mary hurried down to Miami to get a license and everything else needed to get married and set the wedding for the next week. The couple spent the next week with Mary’s brother, then he was shipped out. "We had a 21-day delay in route so Mary and I headed to Michigan," Gerry said; after all he was married now and his family hadn’t even met his bride. Twenty-one days really isn’t very long, and Gerry had to leave. "I kissed Mary good-bye and had to leave," he said. Mary stayed a few days with Gerry’s folks, then moved in with Gerry’s Aunt Edy to wait for Gerry. Mary and Gerry settled in Michigan after his tour of duty. In 1947, Mary and Gerry took a vacation back to Florida. "We came home and told our folks we were moving back to Florida," Gerry said. "No job, we just wanted to live where it was warmer." The family lived in Florida for more than 40 years, seeing Gerry move into the agricultural business. As produce manager, Gerry would be responsible for overseeing the handling, packing and shipping of every type of fruit or vegetable. The company Gerry worked for would move his family to several different states, depending on what was in season at a particular time. The family would always come back to their home in Florida during the off season, but each summer they would head out again starting in Fort Pierce, Florida and moving up through Georgia to as far as Colorado and California. Gerry’s son Bill remembers fondly the summer travels, "We would stay wherever we could, sometimes staying in motels, or boarding homes, it was a real experience I wouldn’t trade for anything." And as if traveling had somehow gotten in her blood, Mary had many places she still wanted to visit. After retiring, Mary and Gerry traveled to California to see the Rose Bowl parade, they have traveled to Hawaii and Alaska, and overseas to Switzerland and Europe. The couple is now settled in their home in Roswell. What words of wisdom would the Powells give to a newly married couple? "Keep loving each other." And for a couple who has been married for more than 64 years, these are words to live by for all couples, young and old. Congratulations to Mary and Gerry! Congratulations to Our Honorable Mention Couples: Bunny and Steve Jordan Patricia and Richard Schueler Elizabeth and Donald Goeters Maxine and Harry DeLaney Edna and Daniel Frankel Phillis and Chris Columbo A very special "Thank You" to Robin’s Nest Flowers & Gifts, for generously donating the beautiful long-stemmed roses and vase for our Tournament of Roses couple. Robin’s Nest is located at 12280 Houze Road, #8, Alpharetta, GA 30004. You may contact owner Robin at (770) 777-2040 or by fax (770) 777-2009 or visit robinsnestga.com or email robinsnest2@bellsouth.net.
Married on August 12, 1957
Married on January 31, 1948
Married on June 21, 1952
Married on September 3, 1949
Married on November 27, 1948
Married on January 23, 1949