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Couple in their 90s mark 74 years of marriage

William Isaac Rhymer married Josephine Nibbs on September 25, 1940 at Road Town Methodist Church and from this union were born 10 children. Photo: VINO
Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online, the couple explained what is it that has managed to keep them together for so long. “We kiss one another,” was the short answer from Josephine who is 94. “Friendship…love. We’re living in a blissful home,” said William who is 97. “And we’re fighting that good fight,” he said. Photo: VINO
Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online, the couple explained what is it that has managed to keep them together for so long. “We kiss one another,” was the short answer from Josephine who is 94. “Friendship…love. We’re living in a blissful home,” said William who is 97. “And we’re fighting that good fight,” he said. Photo: VINO
The extended family includes 25 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and 15 great great grandchildren. Photo: VINO
The extended family includes 25 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and 15 great great grandchildren. Photo: VINO
Relatives and friends of the family visited the home yesterday to convey their love and best wishes to the couple. Photo: VINO
Relatives and friends of the family visited the home yesterday to convey their love and best wishes to the couple. Photo: VINO
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI – A couple in their 90s yesterday September 25, 2014 celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary and have surrounded themselves with the love of their extended family to mark the significant milestone for which they are thankful to the Almighty.

William Isaac Rhymer married Josephine Nibbs on September 25, 1940 at Road Town Methodist Church and from this union were born 10 children. These are Allan Rhymer, Dennis Rhymer, Joseph Rhymer, Henry Rhymer, Joyce Mack, Shirley Abednego, William Rhymer, Elroy Rhymer, Janet Niles and Violet de Castro.

Daughters in Law to the couple are Gloria Rhymer, Joycelyn Samuels-Rhymer, Edith Rhymer, Claudette Rhymer and Anne Rhymer. Sons in Law are Charles Mack, Cecil Abednego, and Roy Niles.

Other off spring include 25 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and 15 great great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends of the family visited the home yesterday to convey their love and best wishes to the couple.

Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online, the couple explained what is it that has managed to keep them together for so long.

“We kiss one another,” was the short answer from Josephine who is 94. “Friendship…love. We’re living in a blissful home,” said William who is 97. “And we’re fighting that good fight,” he said.

Asked how they met, Josephine said that they met at a picnic in Soldiers Hill. “He came up to me,” she recalled.

“I had to write to her parents to date her,” recalled William. He said in those days one had to give about eight days or so notice that one wanted to go out on a date with a young lady. “But sometimes they take months to give you an answer,” he said.

William spoke of working on the sea and facing storms and not being around his family for lengthy periods. But he said he braved the weather since “God is good. I pass through a lot of hard time on that seawater but God is good.”

The aged couple continues to be surrounded by their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

9 Responses to “Couple in their 90s mark 74 years of marriage ”

  • Sweet (26/09/2014, 09:38) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    TOUCHED MY HEART...SO SWEET
  • Joc (26/09/2014, 09:44) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow, Wow, Wow! This was a wonderful article Vino. I wish all married couples would look at this as an example and see that you can make a marriage work till death do you part.
  • VG 1 (26/09/2014, 11:37) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    May God Bless them with a long, healthy a continued Happy life. I feel the old way is the right way to go about this marriage thing.
  • :) (26/09/2014, 12:15) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Every yr that their anniversary come around & I read the online articles I always smile to see them being blessed to see yet another yr together. I don't know them personally but they remind me so much of my grandparents when they were alive. Wish I could meet them and hear stories of the old days, I miss that with my grandparents & otr family members who have passed on
  • Looking on (26/09/2014, 12:16) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This one for the guiness book of records.
  • shaw- (26/09/2014, 12:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a rare example of dedication, love, perseverance. And an example that not all riches are material. This is a very rich couple. QUICK! someone please interview them for oral history, knowledge of the land and sea, and what the priorities were back then. Flesh out the lost traditions and heritage which makes up culture. Then tell the youth about the value of human connection and BVI history. Maybe these elders can share the fundamentals for today's problems. Faith and love. God bless them.
  • west (26/09/2014, 16:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Kudos to them both
  • Sweet (26/09/2014, 16:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is refreshing. Sometimes I feel as if marriage is a thing of the past but we should always keep family values strong. Love it.
  • ta ta (27/09/2014, 08:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marriage is still a good thing!! Long live the Rymers


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