Clarks renew vows

Over 120 years of wedded bliss in one spot. Paul and Hilda Clark, of St. Charles, Mo., are pictured renewing their vows last Thursday on the gazebo adjacent to the Clay County Courthouse in Piggott. The couple was married in Piggott in 1949. Pastor Davey Winberry read the vows, witnessed by his wife Euvila. They also recently celebrated their 60th anniversary, and were married in mid-June of 1949.
(Times photo/Tim Blair)

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Last week Paul and Hilda Clark of St. Charles, Mo., made a return trip to the city where they were married 60 years earlier to renew their vows.

Thursday morning the couple rededicated their lives together with Pastor Davey Winberry presiding on the gazebo on the Clay County Courthouse lawn. Witnessing the renewel of the vows was Winberry's wife, Euvila, who along with her husband, had celebrated their 60th anniversary June 14.

Paul Clark is a native of Batesville and was the seventh of nine children. He and his family lost everything in the big flood of 1927, and by 1935 he had relocated to St. Louis. He worked there as a machinist until 1945 then enlisted in the Army and served until 1948. Following the war, he noted, he "got a job, fell in love, got married, bought a ranch home and raised a family."

The love of his life was Hildred Jeanette Batey, better known as Hilda, a native of Hickman, Ky., who had also moved to the St. Louis area in her teens.

"We had no family in the St. Louis area, and like most young people of those times, we had little cash," Paul remembered. "With no family to help, we went to Piggott, Ark., and were married in the courthouse by Judge T.D. French."

Clark added that he remembered that many of the couples were dressed in their work clothes for the ceremony, but added that he and Hilda had stopped along the way and dressed for the occasion.

"The judge was marrying everyone right out in the hallway, but when he saw how we were dressed up, he allowed us to come into the chambers," he added.

Paul went on to work as a millwright for General Motors and retired in 1985. Meanwhile, Hilda enjoyed a long and fruitful career and retired as a nurse assistant from St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles. The couple also raised a family, including Paul F. Clark Jr., Patsy, Paulette and Kelly Ann, and were also blessed with three granddaughters.

Clark also noted the couple has adapted to retirement. "We spend time with our kids and grandkids, and we enjoy working in our yard and garden," he said of the added leisure time.

During their stay in Piggott, the couple enjoyed the facilities at the Downtown Inn bed and breakfast. Piggott Florist provided the floral arrangements for the ceremony.

Of their return to Piggott, Paul noted, "You've all done so much to make this a special time for us, and we are so appreciative of everything."

The story of the Clarks is the story of just one of many long and successful marriages that began in Piggott, "The Marrying Town." And although the laws have changed in recent years, dozens of people still make the trip to town to get married from all across the region each month.