Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
2:57 am Saturday, August 9, 2003

Thames, Smith

By Staff
Maria Lara Smith of Meridian and Matthew Ryan Thames of Hattiesburg were married Saturday, April 26, 2003, at First Baptist Church in Hattiesburg with the Revs. Dr. James Keith Smith and Dr. Jeffrey Clark officiating.
Parents of the couple are Dr. and Mrs. James Keith Smith of Meridian, and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Thames of Hattiesburg.
Grandparents of the bride are Bertie Alice Smith of Union and the late Gipson Smith, and Mr. and Mrs. Doxie Adkins of Union.
Grandparents of the bridegroom are Katherine Thames of Hattiesburg and the late William Thames, and Margaret Hill of Hattiesburg and the late Leonard Hill.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Kathy Vail, organist; Valerie Saundry, trumpeter; Jessie Temple, Barbara Martin and Charla Milligan, vocalists.
The bride was given in marriage by her father. She wore a satin gown with a detachable train. The cathedral-length train of satin and lace was encrusted with seed pearls and silver bugle beads. Seed pearls and silver bugle beads accented the dropped waistline and hemline.
Debra Hare of Lucedale served as maid of honor. Other attendants were Christina Gates of Birmingham, Ala., Casey Clarke of Meridian, Charla Milligan of Hewitt, Texas, Melanie Reeves of Pensacola, Fla., Donna Rowse, Kristin Gregory and Melissa Thames, all of Hattiesburg.
Grace Smith of Jackson, niece of the bride, served as flower girl.
The father of the bridegroom served as best man. Groomsmen and ushers were Philip Smith, Stephen Smith, David Horner, Todd Davis, Will Rives, Aaron Earles and Brian Lum, all of Jackson, Dr. Michael Smith of New York, N.Y., and Kevin Rogers of Brandon.
Program attendant was Alison Smith.
A reception was held at First Baptist Church fellowship hall following the ceremony.
Assisting at the reception were Margaret Smith, Loryn Davis and Jennifer Glover.
After a honeymoon in the Smokey Mountains, the couple resides in Clinton.

Also on Franklin County Times
Watermelon Winners 2026
B: WATERMELON FESTIVAL, Franklin County
Griffin Traylor 
August 20, 2026
MOST UNUSUAL   First place: Lorena Bonilla (Russellville)     BEST DRESSED   First place: Aymar Bonilla (Russellville)   Second place: Candy Owens (La...
Byrd’s final song a fitting tribute
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
By Brady Petree 
August 19, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — When organizers landed country music star Tracy Byrd as the headline performer for the 45th annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival,...
Russellville graduate deported
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 19, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE – A 19-year-old Russellville High School graduate was deported from the United States on Aug. 9, according to the Department of Homeland ...
Locomotive gets new paint at Railroad Park
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 19, 2026
RED BAY — The 1923 steam locomotive at the Railroad Park is getting a new paint job as work on a concrete pad, lighting and other features continues. ...
RMS kicks off character program
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 19, 2026
RUSSSELLVILLE – Liberty Learning Foundation programs at Russellville Middle School now extend through all three grade levels with sixth graders studyi...
Obituaries
Obituaries
August 19, 2026
  John Wayne Terry Aug. 12, 2026   John Wayne Terry, 68, of Russellville, passed away Aug. 12. Visitation took place at Spry Memorial Chapel Aug. 18 f...
Railroad consolidation: Proof, not promises, needed
Columnists, Opinion
August 19, 2026
Few things are more important to Alabama’s economy than a reliable freight rail system. Our manufacturers depend on it. Our farmers depend on it. Our ...
First Baptist Church celebrates 159 years
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
August 19, 2026
Russellville First Baptist Church earlier this month celebrated 159 years of existence. At the annual homecoming celebration, we welcomed many new and...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *