By Staff
Stephanie Christina Stokes of Collinsville and Shawn O'Neal Eley of Memphis, Tenn., were married Saturday, July 6, 2002, at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Chester Davis Jr. officiated the double-ring ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Larry Stokes of Collinsville. She is the granddaughter of Sammie D. Bourrage of Meridian and the late Mattie Hodges Bourrage, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Stokes of Collinsville.
The bridegroom is the son of Dorothy Eley and Charlie O'Neal Eley of Clarksdale. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Harris of Clarksdale, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Eley.
Nuptial music was provided by Doris Lynn Stevenson of Meridian, pianist; Gloria Ann Brown of Battlefield, Chris McDonald of Meridian, Carmen Gardner of Dallas and the Rev. Michael Eley of Silver Springs, Md., vocalists.
The bride was given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father. She wore a princess gown of matte satin with tone on tone embroidery with a Basque waistline, adorned with seed pearls, beads, palettes and a chapel-length train. She also wore a matching satin and pearl fingertip-length veil.
Qiana Claiborne of Houston served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Dr. Denise Burton of Philadelphia, Pa., Kenya Merrell of Memphis, LaVonda Stokes of Gautier, Nicole Burton of Toomsuba and Elizabeth Harris of Clarksdale.
Marette Desiree Johnson served as junior bride. Flower girls were Rhandi Dominque Wooten of Chicago, Julie Harris of Dallas, Rachel Eley of Silver Springs, Md., and Ashley Wooten of Chicago.
Jamar Broom served as best man. Groomsmen were Carlo Stokes of Memphis, Odell Satterfield of Martin, Tenn., Marvin Kline of Myrtle Beach, N.C., Michael Young of Memphis and Robert Rhythmes of Jackson, Tenn.
Roger Harris served as ring bearer. Ushers were Maurice Bourrage, Courtney Bourrage and David Naylor Jr., all of Meridian, and Jeff Derrer of Indiana.
A reception was held at Union Station in downtown Meridian following the ceremony. Music was provided by local deejay Donald Crowder.
After a wedding trip to Cancun, Mexico, the couple resides in Memphis.