Local couple mark 73rd wedding anniversary; share secret of longevity
HONEY BROOK >> On June 21, 2019, Raymond and Helen Brannen celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary at Hickory House Nursing Home in Honey Brook.
Their daughter, grandchildren and other residents and associates of Hickory House came together to help the Brannens enjoy their special day. As they celebrated their strong and long-lasting love, the couple reminisced about the start of their relationship and the life they lived together.
The Brannens met at church. Helen saw Raymond playing table tennis and thought he had the “loveliest blue eyes,” so the two started talking, unaware of the profound impact they would have on each other’s lives.
Raymond planned to go into dentistry, so he enlisted in the Army and entered its specialized training program. Helen planned to go into missionary work in China. However, after the two fell in love, they both felt that God was calling them to something closer to home.
Raymond and Helen went to work at Brookdale Baptist Church in Bloomfield, New Jersey. They did hospital visitations, worked in children’s ministry and worked in missionary preparation for young adults. Meanwhile, Raymond was also pursuing his degree from Eastern College and Seminary in Philadelphia, but that wasn’t his only long-term dream.
One day, when Raymond and Helen were at her parents’ home in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Raymond asked her how she felt about changing her last name. She excitedly said that she would, and the two were married on June 21, 1946.
“It was a divine engagement that called us together,” said Raymond.
Helen responded by saying, “He’s so wonderful.”
After they were married and Raymond received his degree, he became the pastor at Hilltown Baptist Church in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. After that, he spent 43 years as pastor at The Garden City Chapel in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Through it all, Helen has always been right by his side to love, help and support him and the churches that they served.
Raymond shared the secret of how they have kept their marriage strong for 73 years.
“We always keep the Lord as the head of the triangle and us at either end,” he said.