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. 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.
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