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RUFFIN-KNOWLTON
DEWITT -- Melissa Ann Knowlton and Donald Benjamin Ruffin were united in marriage May 22, 2004 at Faith Baptist Church at DeWitt. The bridegroom's father, Donald Lee Ruffin, officiated at the double-ring ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Ron and Carolyn Knowlton of Ethel. Her grandparents are James "Hot" and Lois Padgett of Ethel and the late Jake and Frankie Knowlton.
The bridegroom is also the son of Beth Ruffin of DeWitt. His grandparents are Milford "Red" and May Lee Pierce of Grapevine, and Mary Kathryn Ruffin of DeWitt and the late Donald Ruffin.
A program of nuptial music was furnished by Martha Neal and Sylvia Smith of DeWitt. The bride's mother and Neal were vocalists. A slide show presentation was also included containing various musical selections.
Sydnee Battle was the flower girl.
Escorted by her father, the bride wore a designer gown of white satin with an overlay of tulle. The mock two-piece bodice was detailed with a delicate leaf pattern in schiffili lace and accented with seed pearls and sequins which continued to the Basque waistline. The sheath-style skirt fell to a sweep train that was also trimmed with schiffili lace.
The bride wore two white tulle veils; one waist-length and one cathedral-length, sprinkled with small beading and pearls down to a thin pencil edge and were secured by a rhinestone and pearl tiara.
Her bouquet was of white roses and red tulips.
She wore a three-strand pearl necklace accented with rhinestones, along with a pair of pearl and diamond earrings belonging to the bridegroom's mother.
Kristy Knowlton of Ethel, sister of the bride, was the maid of honor.
Rebecca Asbury of Little Rock, Hannah Park of Heber Springs, Lindsay Molock of Stuttgart, Kate Fox of DeWitt and Leah LaCotts of DeWitt, sister of the bridegroom, were the bridesmaids.
The bridal attendants wore strapless designer gowns of apple red. The floor-length gowns were complimented with side drapes on the bodice. Each attendant wore pearl necklaces and earrings, gifts of the bride, and carried bouquets of white tulips.
Lee Ross of DeWitt was the best man. The bridegroom's father was the honorary best man.
Lance Padgett of Ethel, Curtis Fox of Gillett and Jay McLain, Brandon Rodgers and Garth Jessup, all of DeWitt, were the groomsmen.
The ushers were Chris Abington, Josh Rogers and Luke Rogers, all of Russellville, cousins of the bridegroom, and Deuce LaCotts of DeWitt, brother-in-law of the bridegroom.
Janie Rogers of Russellville, aunt of the bridegroom, was the wedding coordinator. The house party members included Loma Essex, Sydney LaCotts, Dona McLain and Elizabeth Skinner, all of DeWitt, and Maloree McDonough of Jonesboro.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Unity Missionary Baptist Church at DeWitt.
The dinner was catered and served by Ida Marilyn Lindsey, Tammy DeBerry, Lisa Franks, Jo Alla Nutt, Anna Marie McKewen and Janis Sollars.
After a seven-night honeymoon to the western Caribbean, the couple is at home at DeWitt.
The bridegroom's parents hosted a rehearsal dinner May 21 at the Red Head Lodge at St. Charles.
