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SHEPHERD - RUCKER
Miss Willetta Marie Shepherd
Weds
Mr. Alvin Rucker, Jr.
Miss Willetta Marie Shepherd and Mr. Alvin Rucker, Jr. were united in marriage on Saturday, November 11, 2000 at eleven o'clock in the morning at The Warwick Hotel, Houston, Texas. Reverend William A. Lawson conducted the ceremony. Music was performed by soloist Jonathan Hicks of New York, friend of the Groom; Pauline E. Higgins, friend of the Bride and Paula Stanley-Kinch a duet; Saint Anne's Catholic Church Choir members directed by James Ross; cellist Kim Hatton; violinist Marquita Cross; and pianist Yolanda Nelson. A reception and luncheon followed in La Fontaine Ballroom of the hotel with music by jazz combo Casco, Dinkins and Johnson. On the eve of the wedding, the Bride's mother hosted a Bridal luncheon at Basil's Café and the Groom's parents hosted a Rehearsal dinner at Fusion Café. The day before the wedding, the Bride's brothers, Willie Earl Shepherd, Jr. and Michael William Shepherd both of Denver, Colorado hosted a golf outing at Hermann Park for the Groom and his friends.
Willetta is the daughter of Mrs. Ophelia Thompson Shepherd of Texarkana, Texas and the late Lt. Colonel Willie E. Shepherd, Sr. Alvin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Rucker, Sr. of Greenwood, South Carolina.
Given in marriage by her family and escorted by her brother Michael, Willetta wore a gown and veil designed for her by Toni Whitaker of Toni Whitaker Boutique. The elegant white silk satin dupioni gown featured a square neckline, three quarter length sleeves and silk covered bridal buttons. The princess line of the gown gracefully flowed into a full A-line skirt with box pleats that swept into a chapel length train trimmed midway with a cluster of white silk satin dupioni rosettes. The veil was white illusion with a lace headpiece trimmed in pearls. The Bride carried a bouquet of Pure white roses and freesia tied with white silk satin ribbon.
Alexia Shepherd Grimes of Rock Island, Illinois served her sister as Matron of Honor. Bridesmaids were Amy Karff Halevy, Annette Stepp Mullins, Angela Stiner Myres and Ann Baker Ronn, all from Houston, Texas. The Bride's attendants donned kimono style wrap bodice tops over floor length A-line skirts all in burgundy silk dupioni, also designed by Toni Whitaker. They carried bouquets of Black Magic red roses, freesia and bear grass. Flower girls were Alexa Mullins and Haley Sparks of Houston, Texas.
Justin Rucker and Julian Rucker of Columbia, Maryland served their father as Best Men. Groomsmen were Darren Diamond of Boston, Massachusetts, Eric Mullins, William McCuistion, Keith Sparks, all from Houston, Texas and Eric Taylor of Columbia, South Carolina. Ushers were Wallace Washington and Marx Davis of Atlanta, Georgia.
During the ceremony, the Bride's mother lit candles in memory of departed loved ones. The Bride's mother and Gina Davis Carroll, friend of the Bride from Woodside, California also presented readings. The Bride and Groom participated in a "Jumping the Broom" ceremony. Sandra Organ, friend of the Bride from Houston, Texas, served as Broom Mistress. Hostesses were Dawn McDaniel of Melbourne, Australia and Mychelle Taylor of Sugar Land, Texas.
Willetta is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Tulane University. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She is employed as an attorney with The Chase Manhattan Bank in Houston, Texas. Alvin is a graduate of The University of South Carolina and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. He is self-employed.
Upon return from their honeymoon to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Rucker, Jr. are at home in Houston, Texas.