Never Too Old For Love

When Bettye Atkison lost her husband of 49 years, she didn't know if she'd ever love again.

"I had asked the Lord that if he had it in his plans to be married again, I wouldn't be looking but just put him in my path," says Bettye.

Just a few short years later, that's exactly what He did. Along came Ray Stanton, a handsome fella who lived in the same senior living community. It was Ray's garden that first caught Bettye's eye.

"It was summer and everything was blooming and it was so pretty," she laughed. "I thought to myself, I better look this man up!"

Their relationship began during a community outing to the theater, and it was Bettye who made the first move.

"We went to Joe Jefferson players on the Westminster bus, and I got back on the bus and sat over on the far seat," recalls Ray. That's when Bettye came right over and sat down beside him.

"Usually I wouldn't have been the one that came in next, but the Lord worked it out," she says.

Ray and Bettye have been riding side by side ever since, and Saturday they'll tie the knot. They are planning a private Valentine's Day wedding with a Sunday reception to celebrate with all their friends at Westminster Village.