Simkins, Kemp
By Staff
Deanna Leigh Kemp and Russell Evingston Simkins were married Saturday, July 7, 2001, at the Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church in Madison.
Parents of the couple are Dwight Kemp of Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. David Hawkins of Forest and Mr. and Mrs. Festus Simkins of Jackson.
Grandparent of the bride is Bonnie Elam of DeSoto and the late Lee Elam, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Kemp of Quitman and Wydell Hawkins of Forest and the late Eber Hawkins.
Grandparents of the bridegroom are the late Mr. and Mrs. Festus Evingston Simkins of Virginia Beach, Va., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Russell of Benton.
The Rev. David Christian conducted the ceremony. Readers were the Revs. Danny Rutland and Jim Elam, uncle of the bride, and Kate Sheaff, cousin of the bridegroom. Music for the ceremony was provided by Whit Whittington, organist, and Mary Lou Lott, vocalist. Kris Carmichael, bagpiper, performed a processional written by the father of the bride.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a gown of white dupioni silk. The bodice was overlaid with re-embroidered Alencon lace and detailed with crystals and pearls, which were repeated in points formed below the waistline. The chapel-length train was edged with matching lace, detailed with crystals and pearls. The gown was designed by the bride's great-aunt, Frances Poynor.
The bride's three-tiered veil of illusion was edged in bias satin cording and fell from a tiara of pearls and crystals extending the full length of the train. She carried a bouquet of pink, purple and green hydrangeas, white roses, purple delphinium, pink waxflower, yellow orchids and plusmosa. Attached to the arrangement was a handkerchief that was a gift to her mother from her great-grandmother. The bride also wore a diamond pendant that belongs to her aunt, Maritta Mullet.
Attending the bride as matron and maid of honor were Erin King and Amy Wolgamott. Bridesmaids were Jennifer Colson, sister of the bridegroom, and Tina Duncan Falkner.
The father of the bridegroom served as best man. Groomsmen were Shay Savell, Chris Gordon and Daryl Lynch. Ushers were Patton Hawkins, cousin of the bride, and Douglas Colson, brother-in-law of the bridegroom.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the church parish hall.
After a honeymoon in Savannah, Ga., and Charleston and Beaufort, S.C., the couple resides in Ridgeland.
