70 Years of Marriage

A Catoosa County couple is celebrating 70 years of marriage on this December 30th. Claude and Cleatie Roden were married when she was only 15 and he was 21. The two met at church, where Claude Roden says he immediately knew Cleatie was "the one." They were joined by friends and family for their happy anniversary at Brainerd Baptist Church today. Cleatie Roden says the secret to a long-lasting marriage is love and commitment. Cleatie Roden says, "We've got all the children we've ever had - four children, eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. We haven't lost a child. The Lord's just blessed us good." Cleatie Roden says she still has the first gift Claude ever gave her, a wooden jewelry box.