By Staff
On Saturday, April 14, 2001, Janet Nichol McKee and Brandon Lamar Hillman exchanged wedding vows in an afternoon ceremony at Hopewell Baptist Church in Little Rock. The Rev. Jimmy McDill officiated the double-ring ceremony.
Parents of the couple are Gary McKee Jr., Wanda and Tony Estes, Wayne Hillman, and Robbie and Danny McDonald.
Grandparents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. Gary McKee Sr., P.L. Ferguson and the late Nellie Ferguson, and Curtis Estes and the late Tommie Jean Estes.
Grandparents of the bridegroom are Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Davidson, the late Ole Hillman, Francis H. Gauthe, the late Louis McDonald and Sinea Thomas. His great-grandmother is Latane McKee.
Music was provided by Cory Johnson, Dinah Howell, Kristal Burton, Ann Anderson and Quinton Sellers.
Given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore an original gown made by her aunt, Susan Horne. Designed by the bride, the gown was enhanced by a white satin bodice accented by layers of shimmering white tulle. She carried a bouquet of yellow King Alfred daffodils, tied with white ribbon and wrapped in her grandmother's handkerchief.
Jade Estes attended her sister as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Sarah McKee, sister of the bride, Brandi Duncan, Keri Keith, Bethany Laird, Amy Clark, Leslie Brackeen and Kristi Brown.
The father of the bridegroom served as best man. Groomsmen were Blake McDonald, Brad McDonald, Chad Lewis, Joey Rigdon, Freddie Gentry and Jay McDonald. Ringbearer was Kanyon Estes, cousin of the bride, and the flower girl was Lauren Bailey, cousin of the bridegroom.
After the ceremony, the couple was taken to the reception in an 1910 Brougham carriage pulled by two gray and white horses and driven by Len Rigdon.
The outdoor reception, hosted by the bride's parents, included music proved by Cory Johnson, and an Easter egg hunt for the children.
After a honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tenn., the couple resides in Little Rock.