BY MARLENE MCPHERSON, STAR Writer
David and Myrtle Brown. - CONTRIBUTED
MYRTLE AND DAVID Brown's 50 years of marriage can be described as a successful one of love and friendship.
And, on April 8, about 150 persons turned up at the Morant Bay Villas as the couple renewed their vows and shared the secrets of what has made their marriage successful.
There was humour during the exchange of vows as upon reaching the section which says 'for better or worse, for richer or for poorer', Myrtle injected, "A dis part mi hate". Her outburst caused laughter.
The high point of the ceremony came when David gave his wife a new ring with the words, "I give you this ring in love and for the five beautiful children you gave me."
Myrtle looked on him intently allowing all to soak in. She later revealed to Life and Times that it was her mother's ring that she received from David on her wedding day in 1956. The ring is now 86 years old and for the 50th anniversary she got a new one.
After the ceremony, the couple told Life and Times how everything started.
According to David, he came with his family from Richard Hall district, St. Catherine and lived in the Johns Town in St. Thomas. His family migrated from the parish but he remained and continued to go to school in the area. He lived with a man called Edward Perkins and his family and Myrtle was a member of the household. From then on, they became friends.
"Love touched me from the love of her mother and father!
From there I build my foundation of friendship from the age of twenty," said David.
David said they got married after two of their children were born.
Myrtle is known as 'Mama' because of her forceful personality, her unique style gave her spin on the relationship.
"I like a man who is in the field of carpentry. I could not live with man who is a farmer because I cannot cope with the dirt and the demands of that type of job. David showed love for my father and mother. Although quiet he demonstrated his love for me.. We talked things over and came to a conclusion. It is on this basis that we got married on April 4," she said.
The couple said there were only four persons present at their wedding at that time and that number included the marriage officer.
Shortly after marriage, David left Jamaica for England.
"The journey was rough; the food I could not stand it. I landed at South Hampton Pier, Shepherd's Bush in London. I felt lonely, I was advice that I should throw a partner to ensure my wife's coming. I received seven pounds and I lived off four pounds and within a year she came," he said.
With both living in England they adjusted to the new lifestyle. Myrtle worked as an enrolled nurse while David became an interior decorator. They had three more children all of who are successful in their careers. Pauline became an Air Hostess for British Airways, Yvonne a Nurse, Ian a Draughtsman, Clive a clerk within the Postal System, and Anthony a Manager of a Supermarket.
"I did all the spanking, the reprimanding and took the hard line decisions; while David co-operated with me. I believed that the children should learn piano lessons and do well in academics at school." said Myrtle.
The couple have been praised by friends and relatives for their successful marriage. A church sister said that both persons are fun loving but Myrtle is the Minister of finance. She even demonstrated this because 'she sees to the collection of the offering and she likes to pray over it.'
Miss Audrey Stewart said they exhibited endurance and were good parents and had stability in their love relationship. Their grandnephew added that the Browns have reached their half a century and were raising their bats for others to know.
The Browns are active members of the Methodist church. They have 13 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Myrtle and David are now retired and add that a part of the reason there marriage is not boring is because they try to take trips together on a regular basis.
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