Their love story has traveled from Mississippi to Miami and then McKenzie. Now, after 55 years of marriage, they are an inspiration to couples who aspire to enjoy a long, happy marriage.
Tommy and Martha Putman celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on Monday, Feb. 8. Their anniversary was made a little sweeter when they were selected as the 2021 Sweetheart Couple and received a bounty of gifts from local merchants.
The future Mr. and Mrs. Putman first met while in college in Mississippi. Originally from Carroll County, Tommy wanted to go to Mississippi State because that was where his older brother had gone. It turned out to be a good choice when he met the love of his life on a blind date. Martha was attending a community college in the area.
After dating for a time, the couple married in Tupelo and spent the next two years in Miami, Fla. where Tommy was working.
They eventually settled back down in Carroll County where Tommy worked in the family business West Tennessee Dairy until his recent retirement. Martha taught school in McKenzie until her retirement. Though retired the couple stays active. Tommy takes his golf game seriously, almost as seriously as Martha takes her Lemon Meringue Pie. She is regularly in the kitchen fixing up a dish for a friend or relative. Tommy is the delivery man.
Martha’s advice to young women is to love the Lord and put Him first in your relationship. Tommy’s advice is to know when to say “yes, ma’am!”
The Putmans were nominated for this honor by Vicki Ramsey. The nomination letter in it’s entirety is copied below.
Martha (Sweetie) and Tommy (Sugar) Putman are my pick for the 2021 Sweetheart Couple of the Year.
Sweetie and Sugar are their pet names for each other. Les, the brother-in-law, has heard Martha called “Sweetie” so often, Les often calls her Sweetie!
Tommy and Martha met while in college in Mississippi (different colleges.) They have been married for 55 years. They are the parents of two daughters, Paula and Tommi Lynn. They have five grandchildren.
The only way I was given permission to send in this essay was to mention to give Gid the Glory for this enduring marriage. It is a rare thing to see one without the other. If you are sitting on the pew behind them at First Baptist Church (McKenzie), they are usually holding hands.
Tommy is retired from his family-owned business, West Tennessee Dairy, where he worked since third grade. Martha retired as a teacher in the McKenzie Special School District.
They continue to be active in the community, First Baptist Church, Gideons, and their ministry to family and friends.
Martha’s specialty is lemon meringue pie and chocolate to be on the receiving end of the pie or candy!
It’s simple to be a romantic in the beginning of a marriage but after fifty-five years to still have that glow and spark… it’s incredible!
“A good marriage is one where each partner secretly suspects they got the better deal,” Anonymous. That’s just who Tommy and Martha are. “To God Be the Glory.”
