Whirlwind romance leads to wedding vows for residents of Dyersburg Manor

Nellie Hughes, 80, and Ralph Chapman, 95, both residents of Dyersburg Manor, will exchange wedding vows at 2:30 p.m., on Friday, July 9. A reception will follow for the couple who have inspired staff and residents of the facility with their whirlwind romance. The duo share a fun-loving spirit and sense of adventure that led to a love-match after an arranged date night. [Click to enlarge]

Whether the result of an accidental meeting or an arrangement by well-meaning friends, no one quite knows when the seeds of love will take root. The only option for those struck by Cupid's unexpected arrow is to open their hearts and welcome the new adventure.

One Dyersburg couple was recently surprised by romance - and their enthusiasm and readiness to embrace this gift is an inspiration to those around them.

One look at Ralph Chapman, 95, and Nellie Hughes, 80, reveals they are smitten. Laughter is a staple for the couple, sprinkled liberally throughout their conversations. Their eyes, twinkling with mischief and merriment, are only for each other.

And this Friday afternoon, they will vow to be together for the rest of their lives.

That this meeting has happened in the twilight of their lives is another unexpected blessing. That it happened at Dyersburg Manor pleases the staff tremendously.

"We had a gentleman hankering for a rib-eye steak, so we thought we'd just have a date night," said Dyersburg Manor Social Services Director Robin Conner, who may now have to add "matchmaker" to her business card. "(Ralph) is our Casanova. And Nellie is good friend of Martha, one of our dating couples. We couldn't invite Martha without inviting Nellie, so I said to Ralph, 'How 'bout a rib-eye steak? And how 'bout taking a pretty redhead with you?' She wasn't so sure she was going, but it's been love ever since."

Both Ralph and Nellie have resided at Dyersburg Manor for approximately a year. Both are from different states, brought to the facility by unexpected illness.

Last spring, Ralph paid a visit to his son's family in Dyersburg for his granddaughter's graduation.

"Well, I made the reception, but I got sick the next day," said Ralph, who spent time in the hospital and moved to Dyersburg Manor following his illness.

"And Ms. Nellie is from Clarkton, Mo.," said Conner. "She has a son who lives in Dyersburg. She got a little weak and came to stay with us and it's just been a party ever since."

"Especially after Ralph got a hold of me," said Nellie with a chuckle.

"She was after me," said Ralph, leaning in to wink. "Now she just won't leave me alone."

During their first date, Nellie helped Ralph with his steak. Ralph thanked her with a thoughtful gesture and a whirlwind romance began.

"He brought me a piece of candy after our date and left it on the nightstand with a note and I said, 'How nice.' I went down to see him to tell him how much I enjoyed our date," remembered Nellie. "The next day he brought me another piece of candy."

"Oh my goodness, what I was getting myself into!" said Ralph. "After the date, we started dating - just a couple of old people in wheelchairs. Nellie has a bad habit. In her vocabulary, she has a word, N-O."

"That shook him," said Nellie, with a laugh. "But boy! Did we ever get together."

"They treat us pretty nice here," said Ralph. "It seems like we've participated in a lot of things."

"Yes, we have," said Nellie. "We've participated in about all of it. Neither one of us is bashful."

"Nellie has a beautiful singing voice and Ralph was known as 'The Preacher,'" said Conner. "He's the one you want praying with you if you've got a struggle. He says the most beautiful prayers."

Shortly after their courtship began, the couple represented Dyersburg Manor in a beauty review in Jackson. Donning evening attire, they enjoyed dinner out and a fun evening together.

Ralph took second place in the competition, but Nellie didn't place.

"To be honest, she was the prettiest one there," said Ralph, "But they didn't judge on beauty."

Although the couple both arrived at Dyersburg Manor at approximately the same time, they had not met before their arranged date.

"We took therapy, and she'd be sitting on the other side of the room," said Ralph. "We had never met or had any thought of meeting and then she got me!"

"I don't remember ever seeing you before," said Nellie.

"(But) you forget things awful easy," said Ralph, smiling. "I'm worried that when the preacher says, 'Do you take this man ...' she'll say, 'I'll have to think about it. I don't remember him.'"

Ralph and Nellie will exchange marriage vows at 2:30 p.m., on Friday, July 9.

Conner said due to renovations, a large room on the main floor just became empty. Staff members are preparing a chapel for the occasion and will restructure the room for another purpose after the ceremony.

"We grew into (the idea of marriage)," said Ralph. "We seemed to be happy together. We do things together. We don't find fault with each other. We decided we would just have a minister, but (the staff) blew it into a large thing. Now we are having a marriage ceremony, a reception, flower girls and the Presbyterian priest is going to come."

The staff at Dyersburg Manor are working with the couple's children to arrange their new room as an apartment. Family members will provide furnishings to make their new space a home.

"The honeymoon mansion will be room 115," said Ralph. "Nellie is smart. The room is located right near an exit."