Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

63 years and counting

By Jeremy Langley

Its been just over 63 years since Tom and Leola Wingfield said their I dos, and the couples philosophy for staying together for so long is rather simple.

One of the things that his created a lasting relationship between the Wingfields is the knowledge of the fact that marriage was a life-long commitment. Too many couple go into marriages today thinking if it doesnt work, well just get a divorce, Leola said. They forget its till death do us part.

Despite the fact that the commitment was made for life, she said getting a divorce was greatly looked down upon in the era during which they married.

That was awful if you get a divorce, she said.

Tom said it is very important for a couple to stay out of debt in order to stay in a lasting relationship.

They get in under their head, and then they think the only way out is to get a divorce, he said.

Another thing the Wingfields have found to be beneficial is to play together. They said married couples should not go their separate ways when it comes time to have fun; instead they should do things together.

And youve got to have respect for one another, Tom said.

During the early years of the Wingfields marriage, society was much different. They talked of community gatherings and Saturday evening get-togethers at a neighbors home.

Although the Wingfields dont remember exactly how or when they met, they are almost certain it was through one of these gatherings which also consisted of community baseball games held on diamonds set up on farms around the area.

I cant remember hardly a time when I didnt know her, Tom said.

We didnt have cars to go to Hot Springs or Little Rock, Leola said. So wed meet in the homes. People just dont stay in the community anymore.

Another thing that sets the Wingfields apart from many modern-day couples is that Leola is, and always has been, a homemaker while Tom has been the breadwinner for the household. She said being home allowed her to take care of their two daughters while they were at home and be there when they returned from school. She also took advantage of not being tied down to a job by being the class mom and attending many of the girls school functions.

I made every stitch of clothing they wore, she said.

Tom admits that it is a lot more expensive for a family to get their feet on the ground today than it was in 1944 when he and Leola were married. In the years following their marriage, he said they had no utility bills as there was no electricity, running water, gas, or telephone.

The only major expense the couple had was buying one gallon of coal oil every two weeks at 13 cents per gallon.

You tell them that today and they think youre telling a fairy tale, he said.

Although he has had several jobs, Tom said he has never been unemployed. Since his retirement from the Arkansas Highway Department in 1988, the couple have spent their time square dancing. They are currently members of the Arkie Stars Square Dancers in Arkadelphia.

We dont go dancing that often, Leola said. Just about three or four times a week.

Through the good times and the bad, Tom and Leola Wingfield have made the best of life.

I use to tell people that I got married when I was 19, but if I had it all to do over again, Id marry when I was 15.