Mary Catherine Mills and Kevin Alan Dillon, both of Whitsett, were united in marriage at 5 p.m. June 22, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church in Kinston. The Rev. Wanda Neely officiated the ceremony.
Escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents, the bride is the daughter of Don and Cindy Mills of La Grange. She is the granddaughter of Mary Neal Mills of Kinston and Mary Montague Peed of Durham.
A graduate of North Lenoir High School, she received a Bachelor of Science in biology with comprehensive science education 9-12 licensure from UNC Asheville, and master’s in biology with a focus on restoration ecology from Mississippi State University.
She is a science teacher at Southern Guilford High School in Greensboro.
The groom is the son of Steve and Debi Dillon of Lynchburg, Ohio. He is the grandson of Faith Waltke of Xenia, Ohio.
A graduate of Lynchburg-Clay High School, he received a B.S. in agribusiness from Morehead State University and a master’s in agronomy with a focus on rice fertility and soybean agronomy from Mississippi State University.
He is a graduate research assistant Virginia Tech Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Suffolk, Va.
Following a wedding cruise to the Southern Caribbean, the couple resides in Whitsett.
The bride wore an Allure Exclusive gown. She carried a bouquet of white and green hydrangeas, white roses and white calla lilies.
Matron of honor was Nicole Caldwell Saunders of Lincolnton.
Bridesmaids were Laura Kathryn Ochs of Greensboro; the bride’s sister-in-law, Colleen Carol Drake of New Palestine, Ind.; Dr. Rima Dee Lucardi of Athens, Ga.; Ashley Hoyle VanNoppen of Durham; Ashley Cornell Wynne of Woodruff, S.C.; and Danielle Marie Burkhardt of East Milton, N.J.
Flower girls were the groom’s cousin, Tabitha Grace Burdine of Milford, Ohio, and the bride’s cousin, Avery Taylor Starling of Winterville.
Robert Donald Rippstein of Buford, Ohio, served as best man.
Groomsmen were Casey Powers Morgan of Starkville, Miss.; Paul Zachary Wynne of Woodruff, S.C.; Jayd Nathaniel Raines of Pikeville, Ky.; Bryan Scott Smith of Winchester, Ky.; the groom’s brother-in-law, Alexander Ranson Mills of La Grange; and Richard Thomas Kirk of Inez, Ky.
Ring bearers were the bride’s cousins, Cole Crawford Shimer and Jackson Conrad Shimer of Raleigh.
Wedding music was provided by Dr. John O’Brien, organist, and Jaclynn Caudill-Smith and David Lee Cremer, vocalists.
Program attendants were Jaclynn Caudill-Smith and Chloe Elizabeth Burdine.
Reception/parties
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at The Bentley in Kinston.
On April 20, a bridal shower was hosted by Laura Ochs, Cheri Brinkley, Karen Bradish, Bobbie Westrick, Nicole Saunders and Katie Pidsosny in Greensboro.
On May 4, a cookout hosted by Xi Beta Upsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority was held at the home Sandra Thompson in Kinston.
On May 5, a recipe and kitchen shower, hosted by Nanette Jones, Jessica Starling, Sandra Thompson and Theresa Hodges, was held at the Jones home in Kinston.
On June 21, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Perry Fun Farm in Kinston.