John and Nancy Ivester of Rome celebrated their 50th anniversary with family on June 30, 2012 . They were married by Rev. Larry Bauman at Celanese Methodist Church in Rome.

 John, a 1957 graduate of Rome High School, attended Clemson University. He worked for Oxford Industries of Atlanta for 20 years in South Carolina, Atlanta, and Los Angeles before entering real estate. He works as a real estate broker for Martins Real Estate Company. John is the son Lila Ivester of Rome and the former J.D. Ivester.

 Nancy is the former Nancy Ringer and grew up in Celanese. She is a 1958 graduate of Rome High School, has a BS in English from Jacksonville State University and a Master’s Degree in Middle Grades from Berry College. She retired in 2006 after 30 years of teaching, 25 of those at Darlington Middle School. Nancy is the daughter of the former Ruth and E.E. Ringer.

They have three sons: David, of Sugar Land, Texas, Kevin of Rome and Kyle of Rome. They have six grandchildren. 

The secret to their successful marriage is that they have always been “best friends.”