They first met at a Christmas party in tenth grade, but it would be years before fate brought them together again. On election night, Ella drove her 1929 Ford to Decatur to see the results. Theron Owen was there too. He stopped her on the street and asked for a date. On the second date, he asked her to church. Fourteen months later, they were married in front of a Christmas tree.
Ella tells the story of meeting and marrying Theron Owen
The Transcript
[14:00] In the tenth grade, the White family—Ray White's family—gave us a Christmas party. And my cousin invited Theron.
And that was after I had taught four and a half years. I didn't see him anymore—I guess—I don't remember that I did.
We had election night, and I had my car then—and it was the '29 Ford. And I went to Decatur to see if Mr. Rainey got elected. And he and his partner had come up there to see who got elected. And we met on the street and talked a little while.
And then I was going by his store everyday to where I was teaching. And so one day he stopped and asked me for a date.
And the second date that we had, he said, "You want to go to church with me?" And that suited me great.
And so we—that was when school started—so September till the next December 18th, we went together. A year and four months. And on June the 6th, he gave me the engagement ring. And then from June 6th till December 18th we were engaged.
The Courtship Timeline
- 10th grade (~1930): First met at a Christmas party
- 1936 Election Night: Reconnected in Decatur
- September 1936: First date (he stopped by his store)
- Second date: "Want to go to church with me?"
- June 6, 1937: Engagement ring
- December 18, 1937: Wedding day
The Wedding
[15:15] When we got ready to go get married, we went to the pastoral room at Conyers and got married in front of a Christmas tree. And my sister Christy and his sister Gladys were our attendants.
We didn't have a camera. We just went and got married. Didn't have any money at all to even get married—I mean, to get a little trousseau. And wore my sister's clothes a lot that year.
But I think I had $20 to buy what I got married in. But it didn't look that bad at the time. I think I gave them $11.98 for a suit. $1.98 for shoes and hat and that sort of thing. Because you see that was way back in '37. The Depression had hardly gotten over.
But we did have an apartment. We needed it. And the furniture and everything when we were married.
Ella & Theron
December 18, 1937
"In front of a Christmas tree"
The Best Decision
And it was the best thing I ever did in my life. Because nobody else would have put up with me. But he let me be me. You know, he let me be me. And he was always just helping. He worked my way through school—what I had not really done.
The first Christmas he gave me this secretary.
Historical Context: Depression-Era Weddings
In 1937, the average wedding cost about $400—but that was far beyond what most families could afford as the country slowly emerged from the Depression. Simple ceremonies in church parlors or homes were common.
Ella's $20 wedding outfit (about $420 in 2026 dollars) included a suit for $11.98, shoes, and a hat. No wedding photographer—cameras were expensive luxuries. No elaborate reception—they simply "went and got married."
The 1929 Ford Ella drove was already eight years old by the time of her wedding. In Depression-era Georgia, a working car was a significant asset, and Ella's independence in having her own vehicle was notable for a young woman.
People Mentioned
Theron Owen (Husband) Christy Kelly (Sister) Gladys Owen (Sister-in-law) Ray White Mr. Rainey
Places Mentioned
Conyers, Georgia Decatur, Georgia