Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Monday, February 14, 2022 (BATON ROUGE) – After an extensive statewide search, Louisiana Family Forum is excited to announce Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple and our Marriage Hall of Fame!

This year, we celebrate Gail and Patsy Richardson of Gonzales, Louisiana who were married on September 1, 1940, an extraordinary 81 years ago and are the reigning Louisiana Longest Married Couple since 2020! What an incredible witness to the legacy of marriage. When asked about the key to a long and happy marriage, “communication is key,” said 100 year-old Patsy. For Gail, who is 102, age is just a number. “You’re only as old as you think you are, and I don’t think I’m very old,” he quipped.

This year, another couple married 81 years came in a close second with only months separating these unique 81-year contenders! Lauris and Earline Broussard of Abbeville, Louisiana just celebrated their 81st Anniversary, having been married since January 25, 1941!

LFF is committed to building a culture of strong marriages. Each year, we highlight the contributions that faithful covenant keepers have made to Louisiana and their colorful recollections. “We want to remind the next generation that marriage is good for both men and women. Married couples are healthier, wealthier, love more often and more deeply… and are less trim!” commented LFF President Gene Mills. (Source: The Guardian.) “We are honored to shine a light on these examples of lasting love.”

“LFF’s message is simple: ‘happily and married’ go together and can last a lifetime!”

The following couples will also be inducted into LFF’s 2022 Marriage Hall of Fame:

81 years – Lauris and Earline Broussard
77 years – James C. Jr. and Verna Lee Wilson
77 years – William and Frances Rosevally
74 years – Clyde Sr. and Bertha Moody
74 years – Marion and Jean Hess
74 years – Paul and Yvonne Wilson
72 years – Richard and Geraldine Van Tiem
72 years – Jacob “JP” and Thelma Jones
72 years – Nelvil Leo and Mary Theard
71 years – Harold and Juanita Beaugh
71 years – Angelo James and Josie Lewis
70 years – Kenneth and JoAnn McBride
70 years – Joseph and Virginia Trahan

We celebrate each one of these precious families. Click here to meet these precious couples and learn more about their stories. We also give honorable mention to the nominees married 60+ years.

LFF will present a proclamation from Governor Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards and a Ralph’s Market King Cake to each couple in the Hall of Fame, recognizing their amazing accomplishments and commitment to each other. A private ceremony will take place at the Gonzales home of our 2022 Longest Married, Gail and Patsy Richardson. In addition, each couple inducted into LFF’s Marriage Hall of Fame will be designated as Honorary Secretaries of State by Secretary Kyle Ardoin.

For more information, contact Gene Mills at 225-344-8533 or info@lafamilyforum.org.