Arnold and Eileen Ripley of Susan celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on Sunday.

Captain and Mrs. Ripley were married on Nov. 14, 1946, at the home of her parents, Wendell and Marion Miles, Port Haywood, by the Rev. E.D. Garris.

They have lived in Mathews County all their lives. They are lifelong members of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Susan, where they have held different administrative responsibilities such as Superintendent of Sunday School, Sunday School teachers and served on many different committees and fundraisers. The church honored the Ripleys on Sunday.
Arnold Ripley is a World War II veteran and served as the Mathews American Legion’s Adjutant for 19 years. During World War II, he served in the Naval Air Corps in Florida getting the planes ready for overseas.

He is a retired menhaden fish captain, as was his father before him and recently his son Arnold Jr. For many years he enjoyed hunting quail and training bird dogs.

Eileen has been the “ultimate homemaker,” according to her family, and served as past president of the Mathews Woman’s Club and was instrumental in the beginning of Mathews Friends of the Library. She currently volunteers her time to the United Methodist Women’s Guild at her church, local Red Hats and enjoys her weekly “Sit and Sew” group.

The Ripleys have traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe enjoying many Tauck Tours. Their daughter Brenda said, “Philanthropy has always been a big part of their lives as they believe in helping those less fortunate, always giving generously to Mathews non-profit organizations and people in need.”

They have three children, Brenda and husband Ray, Arnold Jr. and wife Cheryl, Wesley and wife Elizabeth, and one granddaughter, Sidney.