Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 11-8-19

FLORIDA SENTINEL
B
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2019
Couple Celebrates 50th Wedding Anniversary
While teenagers, a Tampa couple met and became sweethearts. They each pursued their own goals, yet they preserved the bond they had established between themselves.
A Tampa native, Ernest Coney, Sr., became a football star at Blake High School. After graduating, the West Tampa resident con- tinued his education at the University of Tennessee.
Ms. Chloe Juanita Evans, a native of Punta Gorda, moved to Tampa as a youngster in 1954. She attended and graduated from Hillsborough High School and went on to become the sophomore queen at Florida A & M University.
Five years after meeting, the couple eloped and was married in Knoxville, Tennessee on September 26, 1969. They each made last- ing contributions to their communities and endorsed the spirit of giving back.
Among the many accomplishments the couple has achieved in- cludes their combined leadership and commitment to building and neighborhood revitalization that has resulted in the building of the Tampa Metropolitan Area Central City YMCA, the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc., (CDC of Tampa), the Audrey Spotford Youth Center, and the Spirit of Truth Ministries.
They are the parents of Minister Ernest Coney, Jr., (and wife, Anika), Ms. Dorrie Coney, and Codrin Coney, who blessed them with Kierra, Shelby, and Antonio as grandchil- dren.
There was one missing piece of the puzzle for Mrs. Coney. Since they had eloped, she never had a wedding. But, on September 29, 2019, her wish to have a wedding was granted.
A crowd of more than 300 family, friends, and other members of the community were on hand to witness their renewal of vows.
The event was held three days after their 50th wedding anniver- sary and took place at Mount Olive A. M. E. Church, 1902 W. LaSalle Street. Their reception was held at Higgins Hall, 5225 North Himes Avenue. (Photographs by BRUNSON)
Among those on hand for the celebration were Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and former Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who are shown with the bride, Mrs. Chloe Coney.
U. S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor and husband, Bill Lewis were among the guests at the wedding reception.
Members of the family shown with the couple are from left to right: Ernest and Anika Coney, Jr., (son and daughter-in-law), granddaughter Shelby Coney, Mrs. Mary Mitchell, mother of the bride, Pastor and Mrs. Ernest Coney, Sr., Mrs. Ella Mae Walker, Ms. Dorrie Coney, (daughter of the couple), Ms. Keirra McLaurin, granddaughter, grandson Antonio Coney, and Phyllis Brewer. Their son, Codrin Coney is not shown in the photograph.
Ernest Coney, Jr., is shown escorting his mother, Mrs. Chloe Coney to the altar for her renewal of vows to husband, Pastor Ernest Coney, Sr.
Tampa Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. members who attended the wedding included: Ouida Hilton, Chloe Coney, Charnell Williams, Theresa Baillou, Belintha Berry, LaDrieda Smith, Sammecia Berry, Karen Hilton Keith, Kimberly Fears, Phan Boston and Sharon Snow.