COMO – Rachel Elaine Ward and Dustin Wallace Sumner exchanged wedding vows on Saturday, May 18 at Leisure Shores in Como.

The bride is the daughter of Sammy and Robin Ward of Ahoskie. She is the granddaughter of Sonja Liverman of Ahoskie and the late Everette Liverman, and the late Samuel and Jennie Lee Ward. She is the great granddaughter of Rosetta Spence of Milwaukee.

The groom is the son of Johnny Sumner and Gay Sumner of Como. He is the grandson of Myrle Curle of Como and the late Elvin Britt Curle, and the late Lokie and Riopel Sumner.

The wedding ceremony and reception took place at the home of Kenny and Gina Parker, uncle and aunt of the groom, at Leisure Shores.

The Rev. Jan Dickens of Suffolk, VA performed the wedding ceremony.

Kristen Ward of Charlotte, sister of the bride, served as the maid of honor. Nikki Parker of Como, friend of the bride, served as a bridesmaid. The flower girl was Chloe Rose of Ahoskie, cousin of the bride.

Johnny Sumner of Como served as his son’s best man. Blake Sumner of Como, brother of the groom, served as a groomsman. The ring bearer was Brody Parker of Como, cousin of the groom.

Pam Carr of Como, aunt of the groom, and Hope Hill of Murfreesboro, friend of the bride, served as mistresses of ceremony.

The bride and groom planted a unity tree to symbolize the joining of their two families as one and in memory of their loved ones who have passed on.

Music for the ceremony and reception was provided by David Floyd of Franklin, VA.

Decorations, flowers, photos, wedding cake, makeup and hair styling for the wedding ceremony were provided by family and close friends.

An after rehearsal dinner and dance was given by Gay Sumner, mother of the groom, and Chris Francis at their home at Leisure Shores on Friday, May 17.

The bride is a Physical Therapy Assistant at Southampton Memorial Hospital in Franklin, VA. The groom is a Vice President with Southern Bank and Trust Company in Ahoskie.

The couple honeymooned in Aruba and now make their home on Buckhorn Church Road in Como.

 Courtesies

A co-ed shower and dance was given by friends of the couple on March 16 at the home of Tommy Helms and Elizabeth Powell in Como.

A miscellaneous bridal shower was given April 14 by Julie Byrd, Shirley Powell, Myrle Curle, Regina Parker and Pam Carr at Buckhorn Baptist Church in Como.

A Bachelorette party was given for the bride by her sister, Kristen Ward, at her home in Charlotte on April 27.

A Bachelor party was given by friends of the groom on May 4 in Myrtle Beach, SC.