Couple celebrates 72nd anniversary

It’s a story that began nearly three-quarters of a century ago in a Limestone County cotton field and continues today -- a story of love, hardship and the typical American family.

Julie Florence and Roy Fitts met on Armistice Day 1937 while working in a Prairie Point cotton field that belonged to Roy’s father. Last week, at the Groesbeck nursing center they now call home, the couple celebrated 72 years of marriage.

Most of that time has been spent side by side, daughter Patsy Posey of Temple said last week.

“They spent almost all of their time together,” Posey said. “They worked together in cotton and corn fields in the 1950s, then they started ranching together. Later, they both worked at Mexia State School for many years.”

Roy spent his spare time, if he had any, as a farrier.

“He shoed a lot of horses,” Posey recalled. “He would go where he was needed and shoe horses. His main job was at the state school, but they ranched and shoed horses on the side. And, Dad served in the National Guard.”

The Fitts had two children, Patsy and Joe. Unfortunately, a auto accident during Joe’s senior year claimed his life and the lives of two other Groesbeck High students. Patsy and her husband, Del, live in Temple, where Del has worked as a doctor for many years.

The Fitts attended church at Prairie Point until it closed, then they became members of First Baptist Church in Groesbeck.

Shortly after meeting in the old cotton field, the couple was married by the Rev. R.G. Hill. The simple ceremony took place at the Rev. Hill’s home.

Roy Fitts has lived at Groesbeck LTC for several years and Julie joined him at the long-term care facility last year.