LONG-MARRIED COUPLES GATHER WITH DEXTER FRIENDS

DEXTER -- Milton and Margrett Garner recently invited some friends over they have known for 70 years.

Henry and Martha Borin and Ken and Bonnie Morgan visited the Garners from Chapel Hill, N.C., and Tahlequah, Okla., respectively.

"I am thrilled to see everyone," Margrett said. "This will probably be the last time we get together."

The couples met at a church in St. Louis and have been friends ever since.

Margrett said, "Church has been a first priority for all of us."

The Borins also met each other at church. Henry said, "I looked up and saw this girl with the prettiest voice singing alto."

He said his wife can still carry a tune pretty well.

Between the three couples, they have been married more than 160 years. All have been married for more than 50 years.

The Garners have been married 58 years; the Borins' marriage will be 57 years on Sept.19; the Morgans', 55 in November

"We have a good record in marriage," Henry said.

Margrett said one of the keys to a good marriage is learning how to share.

She said, "Marriage is give and take, you have to be willing to give in sometimes."

She said a successful marriage often depends on either not having his or her way each time, adding that she and her husband never went to bed angry at each other.

The Garners raised two children in Dexter. Milton was a prominent farmer in Dexter for years and was honored as Farmer of the Year several times during his career.

Milton planted corn, wheat and soybeans about seven miles Southwest of Dexter. He retired from farming in 1993.

"He was the best-informed farmer," Henry said.

Henry taught in the history department of the University of North Carolina. His specialty was ancient Rome.

During his career, he wrote six books focusing on Roman socio-economic problems.

"Roman Society" is still in print. He retired full-time in 1986 when he turned 65 but worked part-time for another five years.

Ken has done church work most of his life and did work for the Church of Christ.

His last 20 years of working were spent in machine sales. Bonnie grew up in St. Louis while Ken grew up in Oklahoma.

The couple lived in Oregon the first 40 years of their married life.

Henry said the couples write to each other and keep in touch.