Catching up with the Jameses: spotlighting the 50 year love story of Gadsden County natives

Betty James says she doesn’t remember the first Valentine’s Day that she and her husband, Reginald shared as a couple.

She says they celebrate their love as often as time permits.

The two have been together for more than five decades.

“We have never subscribed to waiting for the special days,” Betty says. “However, I recall the first time the florist brought my first dozens-of-roses to the school; it was about 10 years after we had full-time jobs.”

Betty says the roses were special because they were such a surprise and her first grade students joined in the celebration.

Long before their successful careers in education, they were high school sweethearts.

Reginald and Betty James

“We met at Carter-Parramore,” Betty says. “I was in 10th grade and Reginald was in 11th grade.

Reginald says he was initially drawn to his future wife by her beauty.

“As I got to know her, I found her to be sweet and loving,” Reginald says. “It was not long before I realized that she was the girl of my dreams.”

Likewise, Betty says she knew Reginald was the one because he always made her feel special when they spent time together.

“He was courteous and polite, always having high expectations of my abilities,” Betty says.

More than 50 years later he still has a smile on his face, and a sparkle in his eyes when he talks about his wife, her talents and her accomplishments.

The Jameses got married the summer after Betty graduated from high school.

When they were a young married couple, balancing college life had its challenges.

“We lived with our parents and they were a tremendous help,” Betty says. “It was extremely stressful at times trying to juggle school, work, and a child.”

Back then, they did not have much time for pleasurable activities.

“We had to sacrifice many of the things we wanted to do and chose to stay focused on completing college,” Betty recalls. “Our parents supported us and made it clear that as long as we were trying to help ourselves, they would support us.”

During the summers they both earned money to pay tuition by working on Panama City Beach at restaurants.

“Reginald was a short-order cook and I was a waitress at the same restaurant,” Betty says. “Reginald’s father had a mobile home that we lived in; sometimes, our parents took care of our daughter, Angela.”

Betty says the young couple survived, but had no money to spend on frivolous things.

She says they purchased their clothes and shoes at the end of the summer, after they counted up their earnings and put their funds away for tuition.

They bought a few nice things and that lasted for the entire year.

“Reginald took pride in taking me to the stores and helping me to pick out clothes,” Betty says. “I tried them on and enjoyed seeing him smile when I modeled them.”

Both Reginald and Betty were offered teaching jobs as soon as they finished college, so they decided to stay in Quincy.

They were at first offered jobs in Attapulgus, Georgia, and then in Quincy.

“We thought about San Francisco, California where Reginald’s aunt resided as a nurse, but chose to stay in Quincy,” Betty says. “I guess you can say that we are Gadsden proud and we stayed because we wanted to make a difference.”

Being together for over 50 years, working in close proximity to one another at times, and raising a family has not done much to settle the love Reginald and Betty have for each other.

Reginald says he loves many things about his wife.

“She is extraordinarily talented and creative,” Reginald says. “However, what I love most about her are her Christian values, calm spirit and never-ending support of me.”

Betty notes what she loves most about Reginald is that he still looks at her the same way he did when they first met.

“We never leave the house without a kiss and when we return home, it’s the same,” she says.

Betty says she also loves her husband’s confident spirit and his ability to work hard to reach his goals.

“He understands the importance of family,” she adds. “He is loving, compassionate and a good listener who is great about giving sound advice.”

She also says he is a servant-leader who lives by Christian values.

Although they had to make sacrifices in the beginning, the Jameses have always found time for each other.

Whether it's going for a walk around the neighborhood, sharing laughs with friends, going to dinner or going dancing, they usually do it as a couple.

“We respect our similarities and differences,” Betty says. “For example, I am not such a sports fanatic but [I] often watch basketball with him and other sports with him on occasions.

She adds, “He doesn’t like to engage in my hobbies such as art, however, he is my greatest source of inspiration and support.”

Betty, Angela, Andria and Reginald James are pictured in this 1989 Times file photo.

One thing they both enjoy doing together is going to the movies.

While the pandemic altered their routine Friday dates, they have managed to enjoy movies at home.

“We often make special meals or make popcorn and watch old movies or some of the latest ones,” Betty shares.

They also love traveling together.

“Most of our travel has been to visit our children and enjoy the grandchildren, especially the youngest, Brighton,” Betty says. “She will be turning two-years-old at the end of this month.”

The Jameses have five grandchildren–Alexys, Gene, Brakayla, Brandon, Brighton.

In the 1987 Gadsden County Times article, written by Alice DuPont, Reginald talked about their goals as a couple when they first got married.

They knew they wanted children, a comfortable home, jobs that provided for their needs, an education for their children, and security after retiring.

They’ve accomplished that and so much more.

Betty, who is now a reading coach at Tallavana Christian School, has been a teacher for more than 40 years, and a reading coach for at least 20.

Reginald retired from his lengthy career in education, after making history by being the only African-American Superintendent of Schools to serve three terms in Gadsden County.

Their daughters, Angela and Andria, have grown up and created their own families, and both are now leaders in higher education.

“It is extremely humbling looking back from where we came,” Reginald says. “ God has provided bountiful blessings for me and my family and I am both humble and thankful.”

He says he is extremely proud of their daughters and their families and the success they have achieved.

Betty says if she had a chance to do it all over again, she would not change anything.

“It is a great feeling to know that after sacrificing so much and forgoing many of the things other people our age had, I can say that it was well worth it,” Betty adds.

While the Jameses serve as an inspiration for many others, Betty shares who inspired them the most.

“The couple who inspired us most was the late Superintendent Robert Bryant and Mrs. Ellen Bryant,” Betty says. “They were a nice couple who always took the time to share knowledge and wisdom.”

The Bryants served as mentors and role models to the couple.

Betty also notes that her and Reginald’s parents also served as one of their greatest sources of inspiration and have provided boundless insight and guidance.

The Jameses have worked hard to serve as positive role models to their daughters.

“I did everything for our girls,” Betty says. “We decided early in life that we must prove to them that they can get what they want in life if they are willing to work.”

She says she is so thankful for her and her husband’s willingness to make life as a couple one that they both can be proud of.

Erin Hill - erin@gadsdencountytimes.com

Catching up with the Jameses: spotlighting the 50 year love story of Gadsden County natives

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Catching up with the Jameses: spotlighting the 50 year love story of Gadsden County natives

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Bryan Henry teams up with Chicago Cubs baseball manager for father-son baseball camp

Quincy moves for “recall fraud” lawsuit to be dismissed

Quincy moves for “recall fraud” lawsuit to be dismissed

Recommended

Hutchinson Ferry Road Bridge reopened

2024 Little League registration is open for Gadsden – Spring baseball registration is open for ages and has been extended until February 1st.

Popular News

Newsletter

Category

Site Links

About Us

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

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