Couples: December 10, 2006

Wedding: Stutzman and Skelton

Miss Erica Diane Skelton and Mr. Jacob Thomas Evans Stutzman were married Oct. 21, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church Chapel in Indianola, with the Rev. E. Allen Bailey officiating.
Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Steve Skelton of Shaw, and Mr. Larry Joe Stutzman of Natchez and Ms. Sheila Thomas Stutzman of Oxford.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Mrs. Jacki Lipe Burkhalter and Mrs. Marsha Hull Tindall served as vocalist.
The bride was given in marriage by her father, Mr. Steve Skelton. She wore an original designer gown of ivory Chantilly lace. The hour glass silhouette was fashioned with a halter neckline with champagne silk taffeta across the bodice trailing to back streamers. Her chapel length veil of illusion fell from her crown and was trimmed with a flat corded silk edge.
Miss Emily Gordon Skelton and Miss Elizabeth Claire Skelton, both of Oxford, served as maids of honor. Serving as bridesmaid was Miss Sara Stutzman, sister of the groom, of New Brockton, Ala. The attendants wore floor-length gowns of chocolate satin charmeuse fashioned in slim silhouettes and featuring halter necklines.
Miss Katherine Amelia Burkhalter served as the bride’s proxy. Miss Holly Berry Smithhart and Mrs. Kay Rounsavall Pitts were the scripture readers.
The groom’s father, Mr. Larry Joe Stutzman, served as best man.
Ushers included Mr. Clint Douglas Vanderver of Gluckstadt, Mr. Julius Carter Burns of Flowood, and Mr. William Adam Hopper of Grenada.
A reception was held at the home of the bride’s parents following the ceremony.
After a wedding trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the couple will live in Jackson.

Wedding: Normand and McKinney

Stephanie Paige McKinney and James Paul Normand were married Oct. 21, 2006, at First Baptist Church in Natchez, with Dr. Judson W. Hurt officiating.
Parents of the couple are Mr. Robert McKinney and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Jordan of Natchez and Mr. and Mrs. Van Normand of Hammond.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Linda Heard and Becky Stephens.
The bride was given in marriage by her father, Mr. Robert McKinney. She wore a formal gown of white satin featuring a strapless, asymmetrical, fitted bodice with ornate crystal and pearl beading with an apron back closed with white satin buttons and loops trellising down the back of the dropped waistline. The A-line skirt fell into a semi-chapel-length train. Her veil fell from a jeweled tiara.
Serving as bridesmaids were Joni Boudreaux of Natchez, Aundrea Sparks of Hot Springs, Ark., and Brandi Monk of Lena. They wore strapless silk satin in cranberry color.
James Alex Normand served as best man. Groomsmen were James Van Normand and Cory John Leonard.
A reception was held at the church’s reception room following the ceremony. Assisting at the reception were Nell Blackwell, Vickie Cruise, Sharon Freeman, Glen and Deborah Mizell, Kay Savant and Shirley Ogden. The newlyweds honeymooned at the Briars and will reside in Clinton.

Wedding: Rigby and Montgomery

Tara Elizabeth Montgomery of Natchez and Page C. Rigby of Natchez were married Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, at the Adams County Courthouse in Natchez.
Parents of the couple are John David and Maxine Montgomery of Natchez and Charles Jones Rigby and the late Bettie Bradley of Natchez.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Johnny Paycheck.
The bride was given in marriage by her father, John David Montgomery.
Cindy Floyd of Natchez served as maid of honor.
Zachary Scott Montgomery Rigby of Natchez served as best man.
Trey Cannon Rigby of Natchez was ring bearer.
The couple will live in Natchez.

Engagement: Carby and Sturdivant

Mr. and Mrs. Micajah P. Sturdivant III of Itta Bena, announce the engagement of their daughter, Lee Carruthers Sturdivant, to Edgar Hyde Carby, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Carby of Natchez.
The bride-to-be is a graduate of Pillow Academy in Greenwood and is a graduate of University of Mississippi in Oxford. She is currently attending Samford University’s Interior Design program in Birmingham, Ala.
She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Micajah P. Sturdivant Jr. of Glendora and Mr. and Mrs. Ewing Carruthers of Memphis, Tenn.
The groom is a graduate of Cathedral High School and is a graduate Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and the University of Mississippi Law School. He is employed by Lightfoot, Franklin, and White in Birmingham, Ala.
He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Hyde D. Jenkins of Natchez and Mr. Elmer E. Carby and the late Phoebe Phares Carby of Natchez.
The wedding will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2006, at the First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood. A reception will follow at the Greenwood Country Club.

Wedding: Martinez and Hammett

Virginia Lee Hammett of Baton Rouge and Peter Hamilton Martinez of Baton Rouge were married Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, in a morning ceremony at Moss Grove Plantation in Catahoula Parish with Judge Leo Boothe officiating.
Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Bryant Hammett of Ferriday, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Martinez Sr. of Waveland. Grandparents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. Willie Lazarus of Jonesville, the late Mr. Bob Cotton of Jonesville, and Mr. and Mrs. O’Dare Hammett of Ferriday. Grandparents of the groom are the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Busceme of Zachary and Mrs. Victor Martinez and the late Mr. Martinez of Baton Rouge.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Sylvia Johns Ritchie and David Troutman.
The bride was given in marriage by her father, Mr. Bryant Hammett. She wore an ivory silk empire waist dress with a V-neck and backcrossed straps. The dress was accentuated with a silk and cashmere shawl.
Dorothy Elizabeth Hammett and Laura Danielle Hammett, sisters of the bride, served as attendants. They wore vintage blue silk chiffon dresses in a style of their choice.
Catherine Elizabeth Martinez, daughter of the groom, served as flower girl.
Groomsmen were Henry Martinez Jr. of Bay St. Louis and Patrick Martinez of Waveland, brothers of the groom.
A jazz brunch was held at Moss Grove following the ceremony. David Borne of Baton Rouge provided music for the reception. After a wedding trip to Aspen, Colo., the couple will live in Baton Rouge. Friday night the groom and his parents hosted a dinner party for the wedding party, parents and grandparents at The Castle at Dunleith Plantation at Natchez.

Engagement: Young and Luss

James and Virginia Anderson of Vidalia and Larry Luss of Baton Rouge, announce the engagement of their daughter, Grenisha Ranette Luss, to Ernest Lee Young III, son of Ernest and Dorothy Young of Natchez.
The bride-to-be is a graduate of Vidalia High School and is a graduate of Alcorn School of Nursing in Natchez. She is employed by Natchez Regional Medical Center and Aureus Travel Nursing, Inc. in Omaha, Neb.
She is the granddaughter of Surnetta Cage of Vidalia and the late Eddie Cage Jr. of Vidalia and Gloria McCoy of Natchez and the late A.D. Irving and the late Dorothy Mae Anderson of Natchez.
The groom is a graduate of Natchez High School and is a graduate of University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. He is employed by Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Natchez.
He is the grandson of Mattie Butler of Natchez and the late Adolph Butler of Natchez and the late Dorothy Mae Davis and Ernest Young of Natchez.
The wedding will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006, at Union Baptist Church in Natchez. A reception will follow at Natchez Convention Center.
The wedding and reception will be invitation only.

Engagement: Porter and Washington

James Washington and Laura Garner of Natchez, announce the engagement of their sister, Gloria Washington, to Minister Sam F. Porter, son of the late Wiley and Evelyn Porter of Woodville.
The bride-to-be is also the daughter of the late Carrie M. Washington of Natchez.
She is a graduate of North Natchez High School and is a graduate of Alcorn State University in Lorman. She is employed by Natchez-Adams School District and works at Robert Lewis Middle School.
She is the granddaughter of the late Sol and Martha Clemons of Ferriday and Elizabeth and Willie Baker of Seattle, Wash.
The groom is a graduate of Wilkinson County High School in Woodville, and a graduate of Christian Bible College in New Orleans. He is employed by Central Refrigeration Trucking, Inc. in Irving, Texas.
He is the grandson of William and Sophia Jones of Woodville and Wiley Porter Sr. and Eliza Scott Porter of Woodville.
The wedding will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006, at Pilgrim Baptist Church in Natchez. A reception will follow at the Steckler Multi-Purpose Building, formerly Natchez Convention Center.
Family and friends are invited. Formal invitations will be sent to out-of-town guests only.