Couple marries at nursing home so mom can attend

At the MacGregor Downs Health and Rehabilitation Center on Saturday, Ernest Williams’ ear-to-ear grin never seemed to fade away.

He was smiling because he said “I do” to the love of his life, Vanessa Payton. But, he was also smiling because his mother, Clayvon Williams, was able to see it — something he didn’t know was ever going to happen.

“I gotta say, I am fighting back tears right now. My mom was supposed to die years ago, but she kept fighting and fighting and fighting. For a while, I didn’t know if she was going to see this day. I’m so happy, it’s hard to put it into words,” Williams said.

Ernest’s mother suffers from dementia and has been at the rehab center in Greenville since 2011. Vanessa said after the Christmas Day engagement, both she and Ernest knew it would be impossible for Clayvon to travel, so Ernest suggested they hold their wedding at the center.

Vanessa agreed, and on Saturday, love filled the air of MacGregor Downs while they shared their first kiss as husband and wife.

“It can’t get much better than this — that she was able to to see it, you don’t know how happy that makes me,” Williams said.

And for Vanessa, she didn’t need a big, traditional wedding — her requirements were actually quite simple.

“As long as my mom and his mom were here, I’m happy,” she said.

Terry Edwards, activity manager, said after 27 years at MacGregor Downs, this was her first time putting together a wedding. And while organizing all the details was not an easy feat, she said seeing the smile on Clayvon’s face throughout the ceremony made the tough experience worth it.

“It’s a wonderful thing. This was the only way she could be a part of it. This is what she wanted before she went to see Jesus,” Edwards said

The couple was surrounded by their friends and family, and Clayvon cheered with joy as she watched her son get married.

Evelyn Williams, the groom’s sister, expressed deep gratitude for the staff at MacGregor Downs, calling her experience with everyone who works with her mother truly a blessing.

“This nursing home has gone above and beyond to make sure everything is done for each individual patient,” Evelyn said. “They really worked with us.”

Contact Mackenzie Tewksbury at mtewksbury@reflector.com and 252-329-9585.