Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Murray, Vasser Vows Exchanged At Methodist Church

The First United Methodist Church in Prescott was the setting for the marriage of Vicki Suzanne Vasser and Steven Patrick Murray. The wedding ceremony took place Saturday, July 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Floral arrangements of Southern magnolia blossoms and greenery were placed on either side of the pulpit and alter. Polished magnolia leaves were accented by votive candles in the sanctuary windows and on the pews. Six ivory candelabra and tapers were decorated with Italian Ruscus and plumosa and placed at vantage points to focus on the church alter and the stained glass window in the choir loft. Floral design for the ceremony was created by Billie McCain and Barbara Lowdermilk.

Special organ music for this religious ceremony was provided by Mrs. James Cannon. Instrumental selections included favorite hymns from the Methodist Hymnal, Trumpet Air and Trumpet Voluntary, by Purcell, The Bridal Chorus by Wagner and The Wedding March by Mendelssoh. Gentle Shepherd was the musical choice for the lighting of the unity candle.

Vocal selections were provided by special friends of the bride. Mrs. Jim McKenzie and Mr. Paul Shaver shared a duet arrangement of Household of Faith, composed by Brent Lamb and John Rosasco. Following the reading of the Biblical scriptures, Mrs. Fred Thomas sang Ave Maria by Schubert. Immediately following the exchanging of vows and the blessing and exchanging of rings, Mr. Paul Shaver sang The Lord's Prayer, arranged by Malotte.

Rev. Charles Walthall, friend of the bride and her family, officiated at the wedding ceremony. Rev. Walthall was assisted by the Rev. Jim Lenderman, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Prescott.

The bride chose a formal gown of candelight brushed satin. The sleeveless fitted bodice was enhanced by a delicate floral lace pattern with cafi petals. Tiny, satin covered buttons extended from the keyhole back to the length of the cathedral train. Self roses at the waist accented the graceful carriage back outlined in jeweled lace. Scalloped cafi and candlelight lace created a border at the hemline.

A small band of pearls held a two-tiered candelight veil scattered with pearls.

The bride wore a small pearl cross heirloom necklace, which was a wedding gift to her maternal grandmother from the bride's grandfather on their wedding day in December of 1938. Her pearl earrings were a gift from her parents and served as something new. A sixpence, borrowed from the wedding director and special friend, Miss Jayne Randolph, served as something borrowed. A tiny blue, jeweled fleur-de-lis pin attached to the bride's petticoat was in keeping with tradition and something blue.

The bride carried a small bouquet of ivory spray roses tied into an old-fashioned nosegay design with ivory satin ribbons.

Honor attendant for the bride was Miss Billye Hawkins from Farmington. Mr. Michael Murray, twin brother of the groom, from Charleston served as best man.

Bridesmaids included Amy Murray Covington, sister of the groom, from Conway; Susan Brannan Welch from Little Rock; Kelly Smith from Dallas, Texas; Kim Prewitt Cox from Prescott; Elizabeth Jones from Dallas, Texas; and Amy Young Wilson from North Little Rock. Junior bridesmaids were Megan Taylor and Madeline Taylor from Prescott.

The bridesmaids wore long satin gowns of deep scarlet designed with full skirts and boned bodice accented by a scooped neckline. Each bridesmaid carried ivory stargazer lilies tied with ivory satin ribbons. The pearl earrings and necklaces worn by the bridesmaids were gifts from the bride.

Groomsmen for the wedding included Blake Hall from Garland, Texas; Jared Smith from Charleston; Tim Brown from Van Buren; Derek Law from Charleston; Heath Miller from Prescott; and Kevin Nolder from Little Rock.

The groom, groomsmen, usher and ring bearer chose the traditional black vested tuxedo with candlelight pleated shirts for their wedding attire.

Parents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. Albert Glenn Vasser of Prescott. Parents of the groom are Mrs. Judy Murray of Charleston and Mr. Kenneth Murray of Charleston.The bride's choice of attire for her mother was a light blue dinner suit with jeweled buttons. The mother of the groom chose a rose pink suit with accents of beading. The paternal grandmother, Mrs. Charles Hogan of Pine Bluff, selected a deep aqua silk suit for the occasion.

The bride is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jarrell B. Jackson of Lewisville. The paternal grandfather is the late Albert P. Vasser of Louisville, Ky.

Grandparents of the groom are Mr. and Mrs. Donald Jackson and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Murray of Cleveland, Ohio.

Heath Miller, groomsman and special friend of the bride, escorted Mrs. Vasser. Michael Murray, the groom's best man, escorted his mother.

McKenzie Raub, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Raub and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim McKenzie served as flower girl.

Alex Ingram, son of Dr. and Mrs. Jim Mark Ingram and grandson of Mrs. Jim Pounds and the late Mr. Jim Pounds and Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Ingram, served as ring bearer for the bridal couple.

Acolytes for the service were Miss Tommye Barnes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Doug Barnes, Miss Chelsie Ward, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ned Ward, and Miss Mallory Williams, daughter of Mrs. Jim Shirron and Mr. Martin Williams.

Candlelighters for the service were Mrs. Jeremy Adams and Mrs. Mark Rippy.

Friends of the bridal couple serving as ushers included Mr. Jeremy Adams of Little Rock; Mr. Randall Brumfield of Jonesboro; Mr. Douglas Henry of Chicago, Ill.; Mr. Mike Miller of Tulsa, Okla.; Mr. Mark Rippy of Van Buren; and Mr. Brad Roberts of Tulsa, Okla.

Miss Jana Barfield from Prescott greeted guests in the vestibule of the church while Rebel Flynn from Charleston attended the wedding guest book.

Reception greeters included Mrs. Babs Barnes, Miss Julie Stockton, Mrs. Billy Taylor and Mrs. Dan Yowell. Servers for the reception included Miss Jana Barfield, Mrs. Beau Beard, Miss Rebel Flynn, Mrs. Bob Gantt, Miss Alison Herring, Miss Carolyn Ransford and Miss Lisa Westbrook. Corsages for the house party members were ivory bianca roses.

Children assisting at the reception included Tommye Barnes, Cristina Coker, Violet Coker, Madeline Cranford, Ashley Ingram, Taylor Love, Bailey Murray, Caroline Raub, Chelsie Ward, Mallory Williams, Marissa Young, Alisha Yowell, Logan Cannon, Chase Cox, Alexander Cranford, Patrick Drennan, Brock Evans, Andrew Ingram, Austin Ingram, Hayden Lenderman, Hunter Love, Grayson Morrow, Brett Young and Brad Yowell.

Reception entertainment was provided by special friends, Mr. Kelsay Harrell on saxophone and keyboard and Miss Julie Norris, sound specialist.

The wedding rehearsal, ceremony and reception activities were directed by Miss Jayne Randolph.

Social Events Honoring

The Bridal Couple

An engagement party March 17 announcing the forthcoming marriage of Vicki Vasser and Steve Murray was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Jim McKenzie, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Raub, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Morrow, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Culpepper, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gober and Dr. and Mrs. Michael Young.

A bridal brunch and kitchen shower was held April 8 in Hot Springs at the home of Mrs. Rick Waddle. Hostesses for this event were Miss Carmen Westmoreland, Mrs. Sharon Waddle and Mrs. Phena Youngman.

Friends of the bride in the Fayetteville area attended a lingerie shower May 7 at the home of Miss Billye Hawkins, who served as maid of honor for the bride. Hostesses for this occasion were Miss Hawkins, Miss Elizabeth Jones and Mrs. Susan Brannan Welch.

The First United Methodist Church was the setting for a bridal gift tea honoring the bride and groom May 21 in the church fellowship hall. Hostesses for this tea included Mrs. Jim Pounds, Mrs. Larry Cox, Mrs. Carroll Morehead, Mrs. Myrna Hunter, Mrs. Wayne McCauley, Mrs. Michael Young, Mrs. Al Wilson, Mrs. John Henry Harrison, Mrs. James Johnson, Mrs. Dale Ward and Mrs. Pete DeWoody.

On June 24 the Randolph Farm was the festive location for a bridal brunch given by Miss Jayne Randolph. Special guests included members of Miss Randolph's Odyssey of the Mind Team who competed at world competition as fourth graders.A holiday party was held in the parlor of the First United Methodist Church on the afternoon of June 24. Hostesses for this occasion were Mrs. Cleve Barfield, Mrs. Jim Powell, Miss Jana Barfield, Miss Lauren Powell, Mrs. William Taylor, Miss Megan Taylor and Miss Madeline Taylor. After opening seasonal gifts the guests assisted in filling the ivory satin roses with birdseed. Mrs. Jim Pounds created the roses for the wedding reception.

The home of Mrs. Frank Haltom was the setting for a recipe shower July 7. Guests shared numerous recipes with the bride. Hostesses for this occasion were Mrs. Frank Haltom and Mrs. Spot Daniel. The hostesses were assisted by their daughters, Mrs. Carolyn Prye, Mrs. Pat Lumsden, Miss Donna Daniel and Mrs. Daniel's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jackie Daniel.

A buffet dinner honoring the bride and groom was held at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock July 8. Among approximately one hundred guests from around the state were lifelong friends and family members of the bride and groom. Hostesses for this event were Mr. and Mrs. James Beard of Little Rock and Mr. and Mrs. Bob Gantt of Magnolia.

July 14 the family of Steve Murray hosted a rehearsal dinner at DeGray Lodge. Guests included the wedding party and family members. Humourous stories about the bride and groom and a slide presentation featuring childhood friendships of the bride and groom provided entertainment for the dinner guests.

A bridal luncheon was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Taylor. Special guests included the bridal party, out of town guests and family members. Hostesses for this party on July 15 were Mrs. William Taylor, Mrs. Babs Barnes, Mrs. Dan Yowell, Mrs. Jim Mark Ingram, Mrs. Ann Pounds and Mrs. Lou Ingram. Hostesses were assisted by junior bridesmaids Miss Megan Taylor and Miss Madeline Taylor.

On the afternoon of the wedding the groomsmen and out-of-town guests were treated to a picnic at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Franks. Hostesses for this party included Mrs. Jim Franks, Mrs. Johnny Jones, Mrs. Mike Ross, Mrs. John Brannan Jr., Mrs. Phillip McAdams and Mrs. Jimmy Graham.