Donald and Shirley Hooper of Salisbury celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, Nov. 30, 2013, with a dinner at Cracker Barrel in Concord, which was given by their children. The Hoopers were married Nov. 30, 1963, at First Baptist Church in China Grove by Rev. R.O. Brinkley.
Donald was a truck driver for 33 years, retiring from Consolidated Freightways. Shirley worked with the Rowan-Salisbury School System for 28 years, retiring from Enochville Elementary School as a reading tutor.
After retirement, the Hoopers have enjoyed doing mission work in Honduras, Central American, as well as participating in Lay Renewal Weekends with the North American Mission Board. They are member of Blackwelder Park Baptist Church in Kannapolis.
Their children are Ron Hooper (wife Veronica of Weddington, Sandra Kiker and Kevin Hooper, both of Salisbury. They have four wonderful grandchildren.