Gerald and Mary Ruth Baskett, 165 Richard St., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009.

The couple were married on Nov. 19, 1959, at St. Mary’s Church.

The couple have five children, Tamila Combs, Johnson City, Mark Baskett, Charlotte, N.C., Greg Baskett, Colonial Heights, Kim Foster, Limestone, Anthony Baskett, Gray; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Mr. and Mrs.
Gerald Baskett

Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Francis, 412 E. Watauga Ave., will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, at a reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Church of Jesus, 809 W. Main St.

The couple were married on Nov. 24, 1949.

Mr. Francis is retired from Rambo Bakery and was a brickmason. He owns Francis Rentals.

Mrs. Francis is the former Nora Swartz. She manages Francis Rentals.

The couple have three children, Rickey Francis, Duffield, Va., David Francis, Johnson City, Linda Mann, Bristol, Va.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The celebration is open to family and friends.

The couple request attendees bring canned food to donate to the local food pantry.

Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Francis

ROAN MOUNTAIN – The Rev. and Mrs. Jerry Honeycutt, Roan Mountain, celebrated their 50th anniversary Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Victory Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

The couple were married on Nov. 20, 1959, at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,

The Rev. Honeycutt has served at Victory Baptist Church for the past 39 years. He also has worked with the Open Bible Hour Ministry and VBC Bible Institute.

Mrs. Honeycutt is the former Patricia Ann Griffin. She plays the organ at Victory Baptist Church and helps with other church ministries.

The couple have three children, Judy Carty, Wichita, Kan., Jeri Ann Moore, Charlotte, N.C. Joe Honeycutt, Bluff City; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold G. Lyons, 205 Pawnee St., celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009.

The couple were married on Nov. 19, 1949, at Central Free Will Baptist Church by the Rev. W. L. Gilton.

Mr. Lyons retired from Quebecor Printing Co., Kingsport.

Mrs. Lyons is the former Betty Lee Byrd. She is retired from various retail sales and management positions in Johnson City and Elizabethton.

Mr. and Mrs. Lyons in 1949

Mr. and Mrs. Lyons today

Mr. and Mrs. Smith Bartley Sparks, 3910 Cherokee Road, Jonesborough, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, at a reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Cherry Grove Baptist Church.

The couple were married on Nov. 27, 1959, at Cedar Grove Baptist Church by Rev. Ben Wood.

Mr. Sparks retired from the Tennessee Department of Health.

Mrs. Sparks is the former Helen Osborne. She is a homemaker.

The couple have three children, Karen and husband Dr. Gene Loyd, Murfreesboro, Dawn Sparks and husband Kevin, Murfreesboro, Kimberly Harris, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and nine grandchildren, Emily, Ryan, Jordan and Jonathan Loyd, Lauren, Mattison and Hannah Sparks, Zackary and Samantha Harris.

The celebration is open to family and friends.

The couple request no gifts.

Mr. and Mrs.
Smith Bartley Sparks