Lucille Griffith and Thomas Bevard were married Aug. 2, 1975, at the First Assembly of God Church in Iola by Rev. John Chastain. Their parents were Clem and Alvina Griffith of Iola and Frank and Opal Bevard of Sedan, Kan.
The Bevards have two sons: Rick and wife Amy and their children, Caspian and Elowyn of Raytown, Mo., and their son Randy Bevard of Iola.
Tom and Lucy first lived in Fort Scott, where they both worked at the Fort Scott jail. While talking with inmates, Tom found his calling to be a prison minister. That led to Bible College in Springfield, Mo. Lucy worked as a CNA in different nursing homes and hospitals in Kansas and Missouri. They also worked as house parents at Boystown of Missouri in St. James. They have served as pastors in several churches.
The family moved back to Iola in 1985. In 1998, they formed Freedom Ministries and became missionaries to Kansas prisons. Currently, they also pastor Mount Orum Baptist Church in Redfield, Kan.
A 50th wedding anniversary reception will be held at Mount Orum Baptist Church, 1056 115th St., Redfield, on Sunday, Aug. 3 at 1:30 p.m. Cards are welcome and can be sent to the Bevard home at 218 N. Sycamore, Iola or brought to the reception. No gifts, please.
