We Found Louisiana’s Longest Living (And Loving) Married Couple

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From Oak Grove to Oil City, to right here in Shreveport-Bossier City -- Every year The Louisiana Family Forum looks for Louisiana's longest-married couple just in time for Valentine's Day.

What is the Louisiana Family Forum all about?

Louisiana Family Forum is all about supporting traditional family values and describes themselves as a 'faith-based non-profit organization that's committed to advancing life, liberty, and limited government in the great state of Louisiana.'

What do the finalists in Louisiana Family Forum's Longest Married Couple Contest get?

Each of the top ten longest married will be recognized and will be entered into the “Louisiana Family Forum Marriage Hall of Fame.” The couples are honored during National Marriage Week February 7th - 14th, just in time for Valentine's Day!

Who is 2024's Louisiana couple that has been married for the longest time?

A New Orleans couple is being recognized for the second year in a row, as Louisiana’s Longest Married Couple. That couple is Ira and Margery Milan and they have been married for 82 years. Both Ira and Margery are over 100 years old and Ira is a World War II veteran, who served in the Philippines. Ira says that Margery was the 'just right' niece of his uncle's wife when he met her in New Orleans and they ended up tying the knot on January 17, 1942, on Canal Street at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. The Milan’s have a large family that has grown to include eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. They say that music has always been a big part of their marriage.

Louisiana Family Forum also recognized three couples who have been married for 77 years. Those couples are Burl and Mary Clark of Jena, Lloyd and Audrey Schroeder of Jefferson, and Leland and Gussie Lacaze of Robeline.

In case you were wondering, at one time, the longest-known married couple ever in Louisiana hailed from Benton, LA, and were married for 84 years. Lawrence and Varrie Player passed two weeks apart in 2018, almost as if they couldn't stand to be separated. I hope and pray that one day we all get to experience that kind of love and devotion.