“Sometimes you find love with the most unexpected person at the most surprising moment.” Johnnie Lou and Arnold Hicks married in 1977, and I was fortunate to know them when I began working at Pike Manor in 1979. Despite facing physical challenges, they embraced life together with joy. Their connection was a beautiful example of ‘love at first sight.’

When Arnold Hicks moved to Pike Manor Nursing Home nearly two years ago, he met Johnnie Lou Griffin.  It was love at first sight.

Both confined to wheelchairs, the couple grew to know each other as they sat together playing bingo or dominos or watching television.  It wasn’t long before they began sitting and talking in quiet corners while other residents were involved in arts and crafts activities.

     The couple was married Friday night at the nursing home in what the residents called “a rolling chair wedding.”  Nursing home officials and employees, as well as local florists and grocers, sponsored the preparations for the wedding.

“This whole week, the atmosphere here has been tremendously uplifting,” Larry Madison, administrator, said.  “Residents and workers alike were excited about the wedding of two individuals they have lived with and cared for.  It was a highly memorable experience.”

Johnnie Lou, a native of Troy and Conecuh Road, developed polio when she was six months old.  She walked with crutches until she was 13 and then used a walking cane.  She wasn’t able to attend school until she was 17.  She is now 55 years old, having spent the last four years using a wheelchair.

“Getting a late start didn’t bother me.  My parents both died before I was six years old, so my aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Austin, took care of me and taught me as much as they could,” she said.

She and her first husband, who is deceased, have one daughter, Mary Francis Jacobs of Glenwood.

Arnold is originally from Brantley, where he farmed and did construction work.  He came to Pike Manor from Oakridge Manor in Mobile.  He is 63 years old.

In his early 20s, a fall from a roof damaged one let, and it had to be replaced with an artificial limb.  Rheumatoid arthritis aggravates his other let, thus confining him to a wheelchair for the past five years.

By his first wife, who is deceased, Arnold has two sons, Donald, who lives in Madison, Fla., and Jack, who lives in Glenwood.

Susan Welch, who works in the nursing home social services office, carefully watched the couple’s relationship grow these past six months.

“Johnnie Lou and Arnold have not let their physical handicaps keep them from sharing meaningful relationships and experiences with others.  They are both very deserving of each other,” Susan said.

“Having Johnnie Lou as my wife and having real nice people to take care of us is a comfort and a pleasure,” Arnold said.

Susan Welch and Virginia Mary Oliver, a Board of Directors member, assisted the couple with wedding plans and directed the wedding.

Larry Madison gave the bride in marriage, and nursing home employees, spouses, and former employees served as the couple’s attendants and served refreshments at the reception.

Two local florists, Flowers By Mary and Jean’s Florist, donated decorations for the wedding and reception, respectively.

Henderson Black Grocery and Foodtown IGA donated cups, napkins, and other items.

Cooks in the nursing home kitchen and friends and relatives baked several cakes.

“Those who contributed time and money for the wedding are to be commended.  Their efforts and consideration have honored two deserving individuals,” Larry Madison said.

All of these articles can be found in previous editions of The Troy Messenger.  Stay tuned for more.  Dianne Smith is the President of the Pike County Historical, Genealogical, and Preservation Society.