Breckenridge Texan

Sharon and Lance Kitchens will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Breckenridge Woman’s Forum.

Richard Lance Kitchens and the former Sharon Melton were married at noon Jan. 18, 1969, in the chapel at Melton Funeral Home in Breckenridge. The wedding had to be scheduled in January due to the fact that Lance played baseball at Tarleton State College and the season began in February. They were married between semesters.

The wedding was attended by all of their family, and the bridesmaids were Juana Hamil Ash and  Sharon’s sister, Yvonne Melton Gilbert. The groomsmen were Richard Herold Kitchens and his brother Gary Dan Kitchens. A reception was held at the Breckenridge Country Club for a lunch for family and guests.

Lance graduated from Midland Lee High School in 1965. Sharon graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1965. They met while attending college at Tarleton State College in 1967. They were both majoring in Health and Physical Education. Lance played baseball at Tarleton State College, and Sharon played volleyball on the first collegiate volleyball team at Tarleton State College. Sports have always been part of their lives.

They both graduated from Tarleton State College in the summer of 1969 and have resided in Breckenridge since 1970. Both Lance and Sharon were teachers and coaches. They purchased Melton Funeral Home in 1989 from Sharon’s mother, Mary Melton. The name was changed in 1995 to Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. For most of their life they have been active members of the Breckenridge community.

Lance and Sharon have three children, Rich and Larra Kitchens of Abilene, Kari Kitchens of Mansfield, and Parker and Lori Wylie of Breckenridge. They have three grandchildren, Kelton Cole Wylie of Breckenridge, Richard Kade Kitchens of Abilene and Abigale Nicole Wylie of Breckenridge.

The family invites the Breckenridge community to stop in and visit with Lance and Sharon for their anniversary party on Saturday.