Pete and Sylvia Burgess
Faith, family and friends have filled the 51 years that Vance County Farm Bureau members Pete and Sylvia Burgess have been married.

Both agree it wasn’t necessarily love at first sight, but a growing promise. “It took us seven years to get married,” Pete says. “But I think we were just meant to be together.”

It wasn’t until Pete had graduated from North Carolina State University and served two years in the military and Sylvia had graduated from Elon College (now Elon University) that the two decided it was time to take the next step. “I made a promise to my parents not to get married until I graduated from college,” Sylvia says.

When the couple got married, Pete took a job in Charlotte and their first child, Talmage, was born two years later. Over the years, the couple had two more children, Susan and Darrell, and moved each time Pete’s job relocated him.

Pete and Sylvia say they both believe being on their own during the early years of marriage helped strengthen their bond. “Being so far away, we didn’t have anyone to run to if we had problems,” Pete says. “Sometimes it’s good to start off on your own.”

Eventually, Pete and Sylvia had the chance to purchase a farm and return to Vance County, where their families were. But returning home meant making the transition from the town to the country. Neither one minds the hard work that farm life requires, though.

“Pete’s been an excellent provider for our family,” Sylvia says.

The couple is now retired from full-time farming, but continues to be active in their community. “One of the first things we did when we got married was to join a church,” Sylvia says. “We had both been church-going people and knew that would be a good source of stability for us.”

The couple regularly volunteers in their church, at the local firehouse and at community schools. In addition, Pete has been a member of the local Lions Club since they returned to Vance County, and he is active in the local and state Farm Bureaus. “Being involved in your community gives you a different outlook on life,” Sylvia says.

Three children, three grandchildren, and 51 years later, their marriage is as strong as ever. As for making those 51 years so successful, Sylvia says. “You have to work at it,” Sylvia says.
“It’s a give-and-take thing,” Pete adds.

“Being positive helps, too,” Sylvia says. “You have to see the better things in life.”

Earl and Hazel Hendrix
Their matchmaker got it right when setting up Farm Bureau members Earl and Hazel Hendrix, of Hoke County, on a blind date. Earl was in the National Guard and needed a date for an event, so Hazel accompanied him.

“We started dating in March, and we got married for Christmas,” Earl says. The couple got married on December 26, 1952. Their 55 years of marriage have yielded them three children, seven grandchildren and many happy memories.

“We used to go out dancing two times a week,” Earl recalls. “We’d have a meal and then go out dancing in Southern Pines or at a dance hall. They called us Cinderella because every time it hit midnight, we’d have to leave to drive back home.” The couple still enjoys a good dance every now and then.

Life wasn’t always footloose and fancy-free for Earl and Hazel, though. “When we first got married it was tough as tough,” Earl says. “Neither of us had money. We made more meals off nickel beans. But we borrowed enough money to get the house started and made enough to where we could get out.”
Earl and Hazel both credit communication for their successful marriage.

“If you don’t communicate, you don’t get anywhere,” Hazel says.

“If you can’t talk about it, you don’t have anything,” Earl agrees. “And you’ve got to take the chip off your shoulder. There’s not anyone who hasn’t made a mistake.”

“Everyone has rough spots, but you’ve got to remember the good spots,” Hazel says. “You depend on each other, and I think the older you get, the more you depend on each other.”

Earl and Hazel are both involved in their community. Earl helped form the United Soybean Board and served locally and on the state level with Farm Bureau. He was recently awarded the Friend of Agriculture Award for his involvement in North Carolina agriculture. Hazel is active in Raeford Methodist Church. She has had 11 years of perfect attendance at Sunday school.