In 1944, Jerry L. walked into a five-and-dime store in St. Joseph, Texas. His parents had just moved there to work with Sinclair Oil, and he was home on a visit. His brother had a date that night and suggested Jerry find one too. The girl behind the counter, a young woman named Betty W., had taken the job because work was scarce during the war. They met, and she agreed to go to a movie. One year later, in 1945, they were married.
Eighty years later, Jerry and Betty are still side by side at The Havens in Antelope Valley, sharing the story that began with that simple yes.
Jerry’s military service took them to Salt Lake City, where they married before he returned to duty. After the war, his career as an engineer with the United States Geological Survey took them across the country. Summers often meant stretches of work in Alaska, and they found time to travel together to places like Mexico and Hawaii. Over the years, they raised two children — a daughter and a son — and built a family that now includes four grandchildren and a growing group of great-grandchildren.
Jerry, who turned 103 earlier this year, keeps his thoughts on their lasting marriage simple. “We love each other,” he said. “Let God lead.” Betty added, “Of course, love… you’ve got to love and understand and be considerate. We’ve been really happy.”
When sharing advice for younger couples, Jerry and Betty always return to the same foundation. “You have to be a Christian,” Betty said. Jerry added, “It’s really important to us.”
Betty continued, “When you’re married, you’ve got a lot of problems you didn’t have before. You’ve got to be considerate. And if you don’t, things won’t stay together. God comes first. You have to have God in your life. You have to sacrifice. And those fights don’t mean a thing. They seem big right now, but when years pass, you’ll laugh at them. Let them know how you feel. And be careful about what you say and do.”
Neighbors and team members at The Havens in Antelope Valley came together to honor the couple’s 80 years of marriage. It was a chance to reflect on a love story that has carried them through war, cross-country moves, family milestones, and a lifetime of shared experiences.
“I was watching the way they take care of each other and the way they talk to each other, and I think it’s beautiful,” said fellow resident Norma G. to Anabel Munoz, a reporter with KABC. “It’s something that we should all learn.”
“80 years is a huge, huge milestone. So, we don’t see that very often,” Christine Ellis, Community Sales Director, told the news outlet. “You will see him going through the community, pushing her in a wheelchair. He literally does everything for her, right down to coming down, getting her meals, and taking her for bingo.”
“It is a real honor for our community to witness and celebrate Jerry and Betty’s life together,” said Katherine Aleman, Executive Director. “Their story is a beautiful continuation of love that will forever inspire everyone who knows them.”
Celebrate Life’s Moments with The Havens
At The Havens, every story matters. We take pride in celebrating life’s milestones together, from anniversaries and birthdays to personal achievements and shared experiences. Our residents’ stories inspire our community every day — come see how we honor life, connection, and the moments that make it meaningful. Schedule a tour today to experience it for yourself.