Dynamic Couple Celebrates 70 Years of Marriage
By Tabitha Ervin
Thirteen years ago when I moved to Fort Wayne, I remember meeting a beautiful and elegant woman named Synovia Brown who sat in on my interview to work for the YMCA. She had a smile that I would remember anywhere.
I recently sat with her and her husband Waymon Jr. about their life and their 70th wedding anniversary which they celebrated on June 23. I learned so much from my time spent with them.
Waymon Jr. and Synovia met in Benham, KY, and went to the only black high school in town. Both ended up in Benham as young people due to family circumstances. Waymon was originally born in South Carolina and Synovia in Alabama, both coming from large families.
Waymon worked in the coal mines which at the time was owned by International Harvester, and the family (two of their children were born in Kentucky) was relocated to Fort Wayne so that Waymon could continue his work at International Harvester.
In their time here, the Browns had two more children for a total of four: Howeeda, Waymond III, A. Vincent (deceased) and Lance Edward. They have many grandchildren and great grandchildren now.
Synovia worked for the telephone company and was one of the first black women to earn a supervisory position. She also worked the switchboard at International Harvester for a few years in between stints at the telephone company.
After his time with Harvester, Waymon worked in maintenance at Parkview. He was noticed by a supervisor and had the opportunity to train in respiratory therapy. Waymon eventually earned certification from the University of Illinois in respiratory therapy and worked the remainder of his career at Parkview and some local nursing homes.
Both Waymon and Synovia have been very involved in the Fort Wayne community, breaking barriers along the way. “We believe in the community and making things better for all people, especially black people,” Waymon says.
Synovia has served on the Metro Human Relations Commission, the United Way, the Old Fort YMCA Board (Past President) and the Urban League Guild and Board of Directors, where she broke the “glass ceiling” becoming its first woman president. She also was on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge committee and her name is on the plaque commemorating the historic bridge named in honor of the slain civil rights leader.
Synovia has received numerous awards including a Lions Award from the Urban League in 2003 and various other honors by local organizations. Both Synovia and Waymon have served in their church, Union Baptist, for many years both as deacons and various other ministries. Waymon, while working two jobs also took time to be very active in the 6th district.
The key to 70 years of marriage, as they shared with me, has been doing most things together whether it was with their children, at church or in the community. Both Synovia and Waymon have dedicated their lives to the service of others for the betterment of the community.
Happy 70th anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Brown!
