Couple Celebrates IGA Marriage 50 Years Later

Not too many people can say they got married in a grocery store, let alone an IGA. But 50 years ago, Estle and Linda Burkhart found themselves making their way past 50-pound sacks of potatoes and onions at the Creekmore & Son IGA in Jellico, Tennessee to get married. 

The justice of the peace, who also owned the store, was upstairs in his office as Estle and Linda walked through the store to tie the knot. Estle's father and best man also attended the IGA ceremony. 

50 years later, the IGA has since closed, but the couple are still in love and were honored with a surprise party that highlighted their unusual wedding venue with IGA-branded balloons, potatoes, and IGA jackets as gifts for the couple. 

“They're still crazy over each other,” their niece Autumn Smith said. “They don't leave each other without hugging or kissing and saying ‘I love you.’”

How It Started

The two grew up in Corbin, Kentucky and met each other in school. At the time they kept their distance but kept an eye on each other. 

“He was so bashful,” Linda recalls of a young Estle. “We all had gym class together in the little school there, we would sit up in the bleachers, and we'd holler at him. And his face just turned red. We thought it was so funny.”

One night Estle mustered up the courage to visit Linda in person outside of high school. They seemed to enjoy each other’s company and the relationship grew.

“We dated for probably six months and then I asked her to marry me. Well, I kind of got cold feet and I backed out. And that didn't go over really good,” he said. “We continued dating and about two months later I asked her to marry me again.” By that time, Estle was 20 and Linda was 19. That's when Estle realized the across state lines was a common place in his community to get married.

"I had known about it for years. Lots of people would go to Jellico to do it," Estle said. 

How It's Going

In the case of opposites attracting, Smith said it’s evident in Estle and Linda.

“She’s calm, cool, and collected and she takes things kind of seriously for the most part, and then my uncle, he doesn't take anything seriously. Like, everything's funny,” Smith said. 

“It hasn’t all been a bed of roses but it's been good,” Estle said.

“The thing that’s kept us together is that we just don’t quit,” Linda said. "And we're both Christians. That's helped us with our family and with our marriage.”

These days the couple lives in Keavy, Kentucky in the house that Linda grew up in. They love to travel and spend time with their five grandchildren.

“They're wonderful. I love them more than anything in the whole world,” Smith said. “When my husband and I started dating, I'd say ‘Look, I don't care if anybody else likes you, as long as Aunt Linda and Uncle likes you were good.’”

A Day to Celebrate

The Burkhart's 50th Anniversary Celebration was held at their church, complete with IGA balloons. Photo credit: Cayla Slone

The couple’s official anniversary is July 5, 1973, marking 50 years. Family from across the country and friends from across town came in to celebrate at the surprise party on July 29.

Smith said it was a resounding success, with around 50-70 people in attendance. They hosted it at the Eastside Church of God in Corbin, Kentucky, where Estle and Linda are lifetime members.

“It was so much fun. It turned out so wonderful,” Smith said.

Estle echoed Smith's enthusiasm. “It was a good time. I really enjoyed it!” Estle said.

Estle and Linda Burkhart's love continues to flourish. Their journey, born in the halls of a school and sealed amidst sacks of produce, has endured for five decades. With a jubilant celebration surrounded by loved ones, they marked another year of shared laughter, enduring affection, and the joyous reminder that true love knows no bounds.