Loudermilk and Mata unite in marriage

Mrs. Jonathan Lee Loudermilk (nee Miller Johanna Mata)

Miller Johanna Mata of Savannah, Texas, formally of Overton, and Jonathan Lee Loudermilk, of Savannah, were united in marriage at 7:00 PM, Saturday, January 12, 2008, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Kilgore. Rev. Fr. Michael Adams officiated.

The bride is the daughter of C.G. and Nina Mata of Overton and the granddaughter of the late Al and Nathalie Miller of Kilgore and the late C.G. and Rafela Mata, Sr. of Edna.

The groom is the son of Jim and Diana Loudermilk of Stephenville and the grandson of Marcella St. Clair and the late Byron St. Clair of Abilene and the late Armond and Ellen Loudermilk of Ft. Worth.

Guests were greeted at the church by Hal and Corine Gieb and Lloyd and Nancy nelson. The guest register was attended by Tae' Shae Reese and Brandi Johnson.

Prior to the ceremony, Donna White rang 7 bells in memory of the late grandparents as Bill Holda, organist, played "All I Ask Of You." Robert Beekman sang "Ave Maria" as the parents and grandparent were seated. The bride's attendants entered to "Sleeping Beauty Waltz." Matron of Honor was the sister of the bride, Brazie Adamez of Round Rock. Bridesmaids were Amy Loudermilk of Abilene; Leigh Ann Stone of Lubbock; Amy Coker of Houston; Lenea Henson of Houston; Pam Wright of Pearland; Andrea Spence of Houston; Molly Calvert of Hallsville; and junior bridesmaid, Sarah Funderburk of Carthage.

Matt Loudermilk, brother of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen were David Presley of Charleston, South Carolina; Jobe Lewis of Ft. Collins, Colorado; Jody Brown of Kerrville; Matt Bragg of Ft. Worth; Rafe Mata of Dickinson; and Andy Adamez of Round Rock. Junior groomsman was Braxton Loudermilk of Abilene. Ushers were Justin Johnston of Longview; Derrick Sanders of Chicago, Illinois; Chris Stone of Ft. Worth; and Braden St. Clair of Lubbock.

The bride and her father entered to "Trumpet Voluntary," played by organist Bill Holda. The bride wore a Mon Cheri design. A strapless overlay of ivory French tulle softened the satin modified A-line gown. The French tulle featured café colored jeweled lace appliqués covering the gown and the chapel-length train. The chapel-length veil was attached to a head piece covered in pearls that were her maternal grandmother's. She carried something old, her mother's bible which was carried by her mother, her sister and sister-in-law in their weddings. She wore something new, her dress; something borrowed, her sister's veil; and something blue, a garter given to her by her God sister, Donna White. Her bouquet was white Calla lilies with their stems wrapped in velvet.

The flower girl was Abbye Funderburk of Carthage. Briley Loudermilk of Abilene served as the ring bearer and Andon Mata of Dickinson and Drew Adamez of Round Rock, nephews of the bride, served as bell ringers to announce the arrival of the bride. Readings for the ceremony were presented by Mary Smith of Houston, aunt of the bride. As gifts were presented at the altar by Nicole De Lay Rogers of Houston, Bill Holda sang "This Is The Day The Lord Has Made." The Lord's Prayer was sung by Robert Beekman as the bride and groom lit the unity candle. The couple exited to "Ode To Joy."

A reception at the Farm of A.P. and Suzie Merritt followed the ceremony. Guests were greeted into the barn with antique wrought iron lanterns and candle holders and candle light filled the barn. Tables were decorated in red and black, the bride's chosen colors. Large tables filled the stalls and were decorated with red votive candles and red rose trimmed tree limbs in crystal vases. In the center of the barn was a large round hors d'oeuvres table covered with red and black cloths. In the center was a large cherub overflowing with English Ivy and red ginger. Guests were feted to a buffet from GZ's of Longview. The bride's threetiered white cake sat atop a silver plateau and was trimmed in black and topped with red roses. The groom's yellow cake with chocolate icing was on a silver tray on a separate table. Cakes honoring the couple's two Alma Maters, University of Houston and Hardin Simmons University, were on separate tables covered with memorabilia from the two universities.

Guests danced to the Texas Country band, Honeybrowne of Austin. House party members were Bill and Janie Terrell, Hugh and Kathy Bowden, Max and Susan Reinbach, Shawn and Melia O'Conner, Carl and Coleen Clower, Sandy Crawford and Suzie Anthony, The wedding was directed by Liz Hedges and Kim Funderburk of Carthage, and Carl Clowers of Expressions in Kilgore directed the reception.

The bride is a graduate of the University of Houston where she was President of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. The groom was graduated from Hardin Simmons University where he was a member of the Cowboy football team. The couple resides in Savannah, Texas.

The evening before the wedding, the groom's parents, Jim and Diana Loudermilk, hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Country Tavern. The wedding party and their families enjoyed a dinner of the world-famous ribs.