Glen St. Mary couple celebrates 76 years of marriage, living in Christ-honoring ideals

by Barbara Denman / May 1, 2007

GLEN ST. MARY—(FBC) During their 76 years of marriage, John and Mae Chesser of Glen St. Mary have sought to live their lives as an example to all, modeling their Christian faith in their relationships with each other and their children.

Even in their ninth decade of life, John, 97, and Mae, 93, still are faithful and dedicated members of First Baptist Church of Glen St. Mary, attending almost every Sunday morning.

Such has characterized the life of this senior adult couple.

May 6 has been set aside as Senior Adult Day on the Southern Baptist Convention calendar, a time to recognize and honor the godly contributions of seniors in the past and present.

Soon after marrying the 17-year old Mae Eiserman on April 12, 1931, in Lake Butler, John united with her church and the two built a foundation in marriage firmly rooted in their Baptist faith.

“I guess the best thing I’ve ever done is to join the church and become a born-again Christian,” John recalled in a recent interview with the couple. “When I joined the church, I began to believe in what the Lord said.”

The biggest adjustment to married life, he said, was “not running around with my friends.” But as he turned his back on the follies of youth, the Chessers made a conscience decision “to be in church all our lives.”

Now John credits his wife as the single most influential person in his spiritual pilgrimage.

Throughout the years together, the couple settled in towns and cities across the state—Indian Rocks, Pine Castle, Monticello, Summerfield, Fernandina and Jacksonville before retiring in 1991 back home in Glen St. Mary.

And in every location they planted their lives in a church.

While living in Jacksonville in 1950’s, the Chessers were members of Edgewood Heights Baptist Church where the pastor C. E. Saunders mentored John, developing his leadership skills and strengthening his faith, even involving him in the life of the association.

Across the years, the couple served as youth leaders, Sunday school teachers, and he as a deacon. “I’ve done everything in the church but preach,” he added.

The senior adult couple remains active in the Glen St. Mary church. John drives them to church each Sunday, parking in a space reserved just for them. Until recently when their health began to fail, the Chessers participated in the church’s senior adult activities and trips.

During their 70 th wedding anniversary the Chessers renewed their vows in front of family, friends and congregation because they wanted to be “an example to others in the community,” Mae said.

Looking back over their long lives together, the parents of two sons offered some advice for younger families.

“Do the right thing,” John said. “Live by example. If you live a good life, so will your children. They won’t disappoint you. Even if they slip away from God, they will return.” He urged parents to help their children choose friends wisely.

“Be good to your children,” said Mae. “Join a church and raise them in a godly family.” Being involved in a church, she said, can “help build stronger marriages and stronger families.”

“Mothers and fathers should try not to argue with each other,” said John. “What you do they, too, will do.”

The couple added that parents need to have a consistent walk in their lives. John urged fathers to be “men of God.”

Pastor Randy Williams, who was called to lead the Glen St. Mary church this year, praised the couple’s godly walk across the years, “My prayer is that their life of faithfulness will be an encouragement to young families and a testimony to other senior adults.”

Gary Nichols, associate director of Florida Baptist’s Discipleship and Family Department, believes that the Chessers’ journey is one all can emulate. “They are a couple who see the importance of honoring the marriage covenant with each other and God,” he said. “They are faithful to God and each other. They see the importance of parents trying to live godly lives before their children.”

The Chessers “take these God-given responsibilities very seriously,” he added, “It is a challenge for parents to remain focused on Jesus and try to avoid distractions created by the many activities families are involved and the busyness of life. Parents can use those many activities as quality family time when they look for teachable moments to help their kids discover where they might encounter God.”

Nichols concluded, “Seventy-six years of marriage should remind pastors to prepare premarital couples for the challenges of married life. Performing weddings is a responsibility and blessing God gives pastors to build Christ-centered homes at the wedding altar.”