A Powderly couple will be awarded the official state title for the ‘Longest Married Couple in Texas’ by Worldwide Marriage Encounters this coming Saturday.
99-year-old Johnnie Leroy Chaffin and 95-year-old Fannie Chaffin married October 16th, 1937 and recently celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary.
“They are both very humble, leading a simple life and just see this as normal, not necessarily a big deal,” said youngest granddaughter, Melissa Shaffer. “But we are all very excited and proud to be a part of the family and have them to look up to as a great example.”
Born in Ada, Oklahoma in 1919, Johnnie Leroy Chaffin worked as a cement mason, then as a security guard for the Dallas Police Department and with the auxiliary police. He was also the head of Crime Stoppers in Powderly and even played with the music group, Country Rebels, as the lead guitarist his entire adult life.
Fannie Lorene Sanders Chaffin was born in Ashdown, Arkansas in 1922 and was the largest Avon rep in the area for 10-years, as well as being a nurse’s aide at Cherry St Manor.
“We met as babies, I was two-years-old and Leroy was five-years-old,” said Fannie. “The next time I saw him, he was seven-years-old then again when he was 16-years-old, and I was 13-years-old.”
Soon after meeting again in their early teenage years, the two started dating.
“I wasn’t as serious as Leroy,” laughed Fannie. “I ran like a tiger.”
“I was pretty serious from the start. She was the apple in my eye,” added Leroy.
Just a year later, Leroy proposed to Fannie while at a dance at her house.
“Leroy bought me two new dresses and said I could pick one to get married in. I picked the one with big pink morning glories on it,” said Fannie.
The two went to the JP’s office in Ashdown, AR, where he told them to grow up and come back.
“He still married us though,” laughed Leroy.
Fast-forward 80-years and Leroy and Fannie, who are still more in love than ever, now have a family that extends six generations with more than 80 grandchildren.
“We quit counting at 80 grandkids,” laughed Melissa. “But it’s pretty special to see everyone come together for our annual family reunions, which has been going for over 40 years, and to see them awarded with the Longest Married Couple in Texas award this weekend.”
While the family is excited to see the leaders of their family awarded this prestigious award, Leroy and Fannie don’t exactly see what the big deal is.
“I just don’t know. I guess I can see it being a big deal,” said Fannie.
With over 80-years of marriage behind them, it’s easy to wonder what their secret to a long and happy marriage?
“The words, ‘yes ma’am’,” laughed Leroy.
Congratulations Leroy and Fannie on 80-years of marriage and being named ‘Longest Married Couple in Texas’.
