By Staff Reports

Eugene “Buddy” and Theresa Johnson of Luverne will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary March 17 at South Luverne Baptist Church.

Buddy is a native of Pensacola, Florida and Theresa is a native of Brantley. They met in Collegiate Singers at Troy State University in January 1973.

The couple shared their first date on Feb. 9, 1973 — the day it snowed 11 inches in Troy. They married on March 16, 1974 in Brantley.

Avid travelers for their entire marriage, the Johnsons have visited 11 countries, 38 states and the District of Columbia. They are devoted to their family and blessed with three children. One son, Dr. Jason Johnson, is married to Dr. Jennifer Johnson and lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Another son, Troy Johnson, is married to Brittany Johnson and lives in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Their daughter Lindsay Johnson is married to Matt Pagano and lives in Denver, Colorado.

Buddy and Theresa are proud grandparents of four grandchildren: Elijah Johnson, Ellis Johnson, Ella Beth Johnson and Emilia Pagano.

Buddy retired in May from a 50-year-long career in television and radio broadcasting. The final 15 years of his career was spent at Troy University as the director of the university’s Broadcast and Digital Network. 

Throughout his career, Buddy has broadcasted play-by-play for high school football and basketball for Crenshaw County, from 1989 until 2020 and basketball for Troy University Women’s Basketball.

Theresa has had a 47-year-long career in secondary and post-secondary teaching and administration. She currently works as assistant professor of English at Troy University, where she also serves at the English language acquisition (ELA) and teaching English for Speakers of other languages (TESOL) advisor as well as on the American TESOL (AMTESOL) Alabama Teacher Education Board. 

Theresa has been honored with the following awards: 2019 Faculty Senate Excellence Award, 2018 Advancement of Alabama Literacy Award, 2013 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award  and Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) Hall of Fame 2003. She is a lifelong student who has earned her master’s degree in education and doctorate degree in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and composition.

Both Buddy and Theresa have been members of South Luverne Baptist Church, where Buddy has served as Minister of Music, since 1987.

The 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration will be held on Sunday March 17, from 2-4 p.m. at South Luverne Baptist Church.