The Whitesides, who are believed to be the longest-married couple in Arkansas, are being celebrated for their decades of love!
Cleovis and Arwilda Whiteside have been married for 84 years, KATV reports. And the Family Council of Arkansas is recognizing them as the longest-married couple in the state — and possibly the longest-married couple in the entire country.
The Whitesides tied the knot in 1939. And 102 year old Cleovis and 98-year-old Arwilda took time to reflect on their years of marriage and credit God as the reason for their success.
“We can hardly believe this is happening to us because we feel like. We were the least, but god said no. You’ll glorify my name and love one another,” Arwilda said.
The couple shares 12 children, many of whom were in attendance for the fish fry celebration held in Pine Bluff in honor of their parents at the end of September. The Family Council of Arkansas also celebrated the couple with performances and a presentation of awards.
“We’re a nonprofit organization and we promote and protect traditional family values and we can’t think of any better way to promote traditional family values than to celebrate the Whiteside’s 84 years of marriage that has been God-centered,” Family Council, Project Coordinator, Charisse Dean said. “We also believe they may possibly be America’s longest-married couple.”
The Whitesides were grateful for everyone who showed up to celebrate their long marriage.
“May God bless you, and I thank you for being here today, every one of you,” said Cleovis.
Photo by KATV