Two weddings on the Berry College campus, 70 years apart
After researching the Powers sisters’ ties to the Georgia School for the Deaf for a column published in January, I discovered a delightful coincidence.
The wedding of Berry alumna Belle Powers and Fred Ford, held on the Berry College campus in Mount Berry, Georgia, occurred in the same month as the wedding of my sister Camille Smith
(also a Berry alumna) and David Whitfield, 70 years later, on the same campus. Though separate chapels, the shared location and
Berry connection felt too special to ignore. Thus, I dedicate this column to both couples.
Berry College, with the world’s largest campus at 27,000 acres, boasts four historic houses of worship: Possum Trot Church (1850), Barnwell Chapel (1911), College Chapel (formerly Mount Berry Chapel, 1915), and Frost Chapel (1937). The college claims “more houses of worship than nearly any other in America.” Founder Martha Mcchesney Berry was close friends with Belle Powers and her sister Jessie, a former employee at Berry College and GSD. All were friends with GSD students.
Belle Virginia Powers was born on Dec. 8, 1899, in Robeson County, North Carolina. She graduated in 1921 from the Berry School for Girls, where she met Fred Franklin Ford.
The wedding of Belle and Fred, as announced by Martha in the Atlanta Constitution on Dec. 11, 1921, took place at the Mount Berry Chapel on April 26, 1922. Belle’s maid of honor was Jessie, and the bridesmaids included Bernice Bray, Lillian Ford (Fred’s sister), Tallulah Ray and Bertha Hackett. The flower girls were Evelyn Goge and 5-year-old Martha Frances Berry. Grady Hammrick Jr. served as the ring bearer.
After the wedding, Belle and Fred worked at the Berry campus. Belle supervised sewing at the Berry School for Girls until her untimely death at 24, leaving no children.
An intriguing side story: The flower girl, Martha, found at a Methodist Children’s Home in Arkansas at the age of 2, was raised by namesake guardian Martha Berry. Her middle name Frances came from her guardian’s sister. Later, she married twice, with her second wedding held at Mount Berry Chapel on May 21, 1937, where her guardian gave her away to Jesse Graham.
Now, I’ll share the story here about the other wedding that took place on the Berry Campus 70 years later — the wedding of Camille and David.
I remember the day back in 1983 when Camille and David, then young teenagers, first met. I was just 12. We were cycling around our neighborhood with our cousins and friends when we happened upon David and his younger brother Jeff riding their bikes.
Friendship blossomed into love for Camille and David, and they dated right through David’s 1985 graduation from Cedartown High School. Camille also graduated from CHS, in 1987, and pursued her studies at Berry College, where she graduated in April 1991. Their nine-year romance culminated in a wedding at Frost Chapel on the Berry campus on April 4, 1992.
During that time, I was attending Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Upon learning of their wedding plans, I decided to surprise my sister and soon-to-be brother-in-law with a rendition of “The Rose” in American Sign Language. Camille has known ASL since I was a baby, and David was learning. Grace, my classmate and best friend, helped me practice diligently. Our friend Jodi joined us, and together we traveled to Georgia during a brief weekend break. At their wedding, I performed the song flawlessly — a sweet moment that they deeply appreciated.
The wedding was a family affair, with my parents and other relatives in attendance. Our father had the honor of walking Camille down the aisle. (Sadly, he passed away the following year.) I was the maid of honor. Camille had five bridesmaids: Tara Ward (our cousin), Melanie Prater, Tasha Mullins, Janet Jolly and Laurie Adcock.
Mildred Adcock, the daughter of Byrd Trawick — a GSD and Gallaudet alumnus — and mother of Laurie Adcock, who knew ASL, was in attendance. Tina Gilliland and Donna Mcgee, both graduates of GSD, were also present. And Tara’s best friend, Jill Mccollum, also came.
Our cousin Rev. Lavonne Ward performed the ceremony. Afterward, a reception was held at Chieftains Museum in Rome. Camille and David then embarked on their honeymoon to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The event holds a special place in all our hearts, and soon Camille and David will celebrate their 32nd anniversary on a cruise around Alaska, marking 41 years since they first met.
Two love stories, 70 years apart, etching their vows on Berry College’s campus exemplifies enduring love and timeless beauty. Happy anniversary, Camille and David!
Adonia K. Smith is a Cedartown native who resides in Cave Spring. She owns ASL Rose,
a company that serves the heart of Deaf education, and is active in the Georgia School for the Deaf Alumni Association. Email her at
adoniakarrensmith@gmail.com.