Lanett celebrates marriage milestone, chaplain’s service

BY JOHN BRICE 

FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN

LANETT — Lifelong Lanett residents Floyd and Floy Aikens were honored by the Lanett City Council this week in recognition of their 71st wedding anniversary.

District 5 Council Member Kim Roberts read a proclamation commemorating the couple’s milestone.

“Whereas Mr. and Mrs. Aikens first met when they were 13 years old at Shallow Baptist Church. They reunited later after an invitation was extended to him to attend her senior class picnic. And whereas after returning from her class trip to New York she was surprised with an engagement ring. On September the 17th, 1955 they were united in holy matrimony. And whereas, giving God priority in their marriage the Aikens have lived a blessed life. They are loving parents to their sons and doting grandparents to their grandchildren and great grandchildren,” the proclamation read.

The council also honored recently retired city of Lanett Chaplain the Rev. Rodney Jones.

District 1 Council Member Denise Zachery presented Jones with a ceremonial plaque and his desk name plate.

“It gives me great pleasure to present this to Reverend Rodney Jones and his beautiful family,” Zachery said.  “With heartfelt gratitude for your years of service to the city of Lanett as city chaplain. Thank you for being a steady anchor, a listening ear and a source of great comfort for our community.”

Jones addressed the council and reflected on his years of service as city chaplain.

“First of all, I just want to take time to say thank you to the city of Lanett for allowing me to serve as the chaplain of this great city,” Jones said. “One thing I do want you to know, I didn’t take that position lightly. It is bigger than just saying a prayer. Thank God for the people I was able to impact. People need prayer, people need a word. Chaplaincy is something that we have to take very seriously. That is one thing I have learned in life is that if you take God seriously he will take you seriously.”

In other business, the council also:

- Approved an ordinance for a franchise agreement with Point Broadband Fiber Holdings LLC following its second reading.

- Appointed Randall Aikens to the Chattahoochee Valley Water Supply District Board of Directors through an approved resolution.

- Approved resolutions amending established rates for residential and commercial water and sewage services.