In Sickness and In Health

When Buddy and Sonja Myers first tied the knot in 2000 they did not have the traditional church wedding, a multi-tiered wedding cake or even family present; but on Saturday, August 3, 2024, they were given the opportunity to celebrate their resilient love with a vow renewal ceremony at Life Church in Laurel, Mississippi.

Buddy and Sonja have encountered a great deal of joy and tribulation throughout their 24 years of marriage, but no trial compares to Buddy’s eight-month-long battle with vocal cord cancer.

Throughout his treatment, Buddy has remained positive and committed to the Chrisitan mindset that he and his family are, “blessed and highly favored.” Despite challenging physical limitations, the couple has continued to minister to others through leading Bible studies, hosting church events and being active members of Life Church.

When Buddy began using South Central Regional Medical Center’s ComfortCare Hospice service, his positive attitude and his propensity to serve others resonated with his care team, who wanted to find a way to honor him and his family.

“After I started talking with the family, it became known to me that Sonja wanted to walk down an aisle next year for their 25th wedding anniversary, so I started contemplating and I thought I think we can make this happen a little sooner,” said Raven Anderson, a nurse at ComfortCare Hospice. “Hospice is a tough situation for everyone and if we can bring a little happiness to somebody, we want to do it.”

This idea filled Buddy and Sonja with joy and thankfulness, as they watched the community that they have served faithfully throughout the years rally together to serve them.

“Raven and everyone at Hospice, made something happen. Ever since we’ve been married, we have dreamed of this,” said Sonja with tears in her eyes. “If I had known 25 years ago that this is the place we would be in, I would marry Buddy all over again.”

Raven and her team worked quickly, planning this elaborate celebration in under two weeks. They partnered with Dietary Services at SCRMC to cater for the event with the SCRMC Health Care Foundation covering the catering costs.

“The South Central Health Care Foundation was pleased to support Hospice by paying for the catering for the Myers’ reception,” said Kaitlin Bossier, the Foundation & Service Line strategist at SCRMC. “The Health Care Foundation’s mission is to assist patients and their families during their most challenging times.”

Raven and her team also received donations from several local businesses who wanted to help make the Myers’ dream wedding a reality. They received a cake from Sherri Newcomb, the wedding gown from Mimi’s Bridal, cookies and cupcakes from Shug’s Cookie Dough & Candy Bar, decor from Brookside Barn and Linda Wright, photography from Tori Mitchell, flower arrangements from Jammie and Serina Williamson and Allison Holified from Bouquets Unlimited Florist, a ring cleaning from Carter’s Collective, Videography by For His Glory Photography and Videography by Nathan and Joanie Brown, Hair and Make-up by Amber Rainey with Bella Resa Salon and an engraved sign from Laurel Laserworks.

On the day of the event, it was a team effort to pull off the day’s events. EMServ employees, including his granddaughter, escorted Buddy carefully to and from his home; volunteers and hospice employees decorated the venue; Buddy’s brother, Bill Myers, officiated the service; the couple’s dog, Skipper, served as ring bearer; and Krista Overby sang Unchained Melody as Sonja walked down the aisle.

When Buddy was asked why the ceremony was important to him, he said, “I want the world to know how much I love her without having to tell them.”

On the Life Church stage their love was on full display and needed no explanation, as they stood, hands held tightly, and promised to love, honor and cherish one another for as long as they both shall live.