Published: August 31, 2009 04:20 pm      

Brown-Keys Wedding

Sheryl Samantha Brown and Russell Everett Keys were united in marriage on Saturday, March 21, at 4 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church in Huntsville. The double ring ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Reagan Cooksey of Northside Baptist Church.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Danny Elton Brown of Huntsville. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Callie Sterling of Riverside, Mrs. Vernice Ellisor of Huntsville and the late Mr. Robert Brown of Huntsville.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Rayford Keys of Huntsville. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Jerome Zahradnik of Hungerford, Mrs. Evelyn Keys of Huntsville and the late Mr. Rayford Keys of Huntsville.

Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore a white strapless gown with chapel length train, accented by seed pearls and crystal embellishments. To complement her gown, Sheryl wore a crystal tiara and a fingertip veil edged in rhinestones, which was lovingly sewn by her maternal aunt, Mrs. Rebecca Steely, who has also created the bride’s mother’s wedding hat and veil over 44 years ago. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of hot pink roses with stargazer lilies accented by greenery and berries. The bridesmaids wore black and bright pink two-piece gowns in styles of their own choosing and carried a single pink stargazer lily accented with ribbon and greenery.

Rebecca Ann Brown served her sister as maid of honor. Bridesmaids included Dana Marie Tutor, sister of the bride, and Peggy Sue Petty, both of Huntsville. Meredith Louise Overcast of Spring also served as bridesmaid and her daughter, Matia Lynn Overcast was honorary flower girl.

Jakson Russell Keys, son of the groom, stood next to his father as junior best man. James Stanley of The Woodlands also served as best man. Groomsmen included Jonathan Keys, brother of the groom, Colt Christian and Frank Roberts, all of Huntsville. Serving as ushers were Keith Fitzpatrick and Taylor Pittman of Huntsville, as well as Waylon Turner, nephew of the bride.

Special music for the ceremony was performed by Rhonda Ellen Brown, longtime friend of the bride, of Conroe. Selections included Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me,” which was dedicated to the couple’s parents, and “Whither Thou Goest,” sung during the unity ceremony in which Jakson, the groom’s son, also took part.

The bride’s parents hosted the reception – complete with dinner and dancing – at Sam Houston State University’s Bearkat Camp, located on the Trinity River in Riverside. Music was provided by L&M Joyful Sounds. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner in the church’s fellowship, where a beautiful dinner was lovingly provided by Ann, Kelsey and Colt Christian.

Sheryl is a graduate of Sam Houston State University with a BA in English. She has been teaching English at Madisonville High School for eight years.

Russell is a graduate of Universal Technical State University in Houston. He is currently shop manager at Danny Brown’s Paint and Body in Huntsville.

The couple would like to thank everyone who helped to make their wedding day so fabulous. Special thanks to Debbie Pool for the beautiful wedding cake, and Penny Fowler, the bride’s aunt, for the groom’s cake. For all their help, thanks also to Susan Gledhill and Kelsey Gledhill, as well as Gill Norwood and Catriona McBeath, who both traveled all the way from Great Britain especially for the wedding festivities.

Following their honeymoon at Sandal’s Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Sheryl and Russell have made their home in Huntsville.