A longevous couple from Johnson County, Georgia, have spent the last 72 years happily married together.
More remarkably, the pair, Josephine and Wilbur “Flip” Jackson, this year celebrated another notable milestone—they both turned 100 years old. He celebrated his big day in early February, while she had hers six months earlier.
The pair first met on a blind date, and then got married in 1949. The centenarians, who both still live on their family farm, have had a whole host of experiences over their lifetimes—both in life and love.
They both served in the military during World War II. In Key West, Josephine was a Coast Guard for nearly four years. For four years, Wilbur served in the Army overseas and escorted fallen soldiers back home.
Upon returning stateside, she went on to work in an insurance company, while he became a movie projectionist. Wilbur was also a handyman and on a pistol team.
The couple are passionate about serving their community and their church. In the evenings, he often ferried local kids to the skating rink, a pastime he enjoyed as much as they did.
Although their love has endured the test of time, Josephine knows it has its ups and downs, and isn’t always smooth sailing.
They’ve had their disagreements, she admits.
“Oh yeah, you know we have!” she told The Epoch Times. “You know how it is, you don’t always agree on everything.” Not taking things too seriously is one way to get along in love. Nor did their fights last long, she added.
These experiences, coupled with long lives, have furnished them wisdom and insights to go around. Their secret to leading a good life and happy, lasting marriage, they told the newspaper, is simple.
For Wilbur, hard work and “being Christian” are the most important things, while Josephine opined: “I don’t know, you just keep on keepin’ on!”
The pair of centenarian lovebirds will celebrate their 73rd year of marriage together in July.
