Vow Renewal Ceremony 30th Anniversary

St. Andrews United Methodist Church Sanctuary

Ceremony

Reception

Meet up for Cocktails and Food

WorldSprings

Ladies Spa Day/Hot Springs for Bridal Party and Friends and Family

Cigars with the Fellas

Our Wedding

Ralph and Monita officially met in Houston, Texas during Monita's 2nd year in law school where she was attending Thurgood Marshall School of Law on the campus of Texas Southern University when Monita's friend Sharon Watkins (now Sharon Watkins Jones) came to visit. When Sharon came to visit, she brought her boyfriend (now husband) Michael Jones who for some reason also brought his line brother (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity) Ralph. At that time, Monita only knew of him as Roderick's older brother. Roderick, Sharon and Monita all attended the University of Texas at Austin. Ralph would always accompany Sharon and Michael when they came to visit Monita. Ralph would also accompany Monita's law school study partner Clyde (Jerry) Moore when he would come over to study. After several failed attempts of Monita trying to "fix" Ralph up with her friends over the course of a year, Ralph and Monita decided to go on a "date" right before Monita graduated from Thurgood Marshall. It was on a Monday night in Spring of 1991 (Monita was pretty much done with her 3rd year in law school) at a Greek Restaurant named The Great Greek where Ralph had procured at group table with the help of a neighborhood friend Phillip Sexton. Ralph moved to Austin, Texas in 1992. Monita soon followed after taking the Texas Bar and working in the DFW area for 1 1/2 years. She moved to Austin in 1993. Ralph and Monita dated for 3 years before Ralph proposed to Monita in the parking lot of Pappasitos restaurant in Austin, Texas (while Monita was driving) in January or February of 1994. Ralph and Monita married less than a year later on January 14, 1995 at the historical St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. This is the church where Monita's father was baptized and the church Monita's family attended for most of their lives. Both Monita and her brother Milton were baptized at St. Andrews UMC. This is also the church were all three of Ralph and Monita's daughters as well as their only grandchild would be baptized. Ralph and Monita have three daughters: Marita Ruth (middle name from Monita's paternal grandmother and Ralph's mom's middle name), Mariah Rose (middle name from Monita's maternal grandmother) and Marissa Roye (middle name from Monita's God sister Royce Brooks). The middle daughter Mariah is married to Javaughn Christopher from Brooklyn, New York and from that union Ralph and Monita became grandparents to their first grandchild, Mylah Rose. They all resided in Austin (Manor), Texas. The oldest daughter Marita is married to Danny Prine from Fort Worth, Texas and they now reside in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The youngest daughter Marissa resides in Austin, Texas preparing to go to medical school. Monita and Ralph are very PROUD of their family and all their accomplishments. THE ORIGINAL WEDDING PARTYJanuary 14, 1995 Dr. Alfred G. Sanford, Minster, DeceasedSt. Andrews United Methodist Church, Fort Worth, Texas OfficiatingDr. Luther W. Henry, Assistance MinisterFirst United Methodist Church, Fort Worth, Texas Parents of the BrideMr. &amp; Mrs. Milton F. Johnson, Sr., Both DeceasedGrandmother of BrideMrs. Rosie E. Price, Deceased&nbsp;Parents of GroomMr. &amp; Mrs. Clemmie HenleyGrandmother of GroomMrs. Bessie Henley, Deceased&nbsp;Honorary ParentsMr. Samuel Heath, Deceased, and Mrs. Samuel HeathMrs. Nellie Stewart, Deceased&nbsp;Maid of HonorGlenda Staton, Deceased&nbsp;Matron of HonorConnie Johnson-Bennett BridesmaidsJacqueline Bryant CampbellKatrina ChambersDeLisa Collins CooperYolanda Johnson, DeceasedSharon Watkins JonesErica Baker McCormickYvette Tyler Junior BridesmaidsRoyce BrooksShala Durham Flower GirlJasmine Jacobs Best MenRoderick HenleySteven Monroe GroomsmenDeWayne Adams (Craig Royal stood in for DeWayne Adams)DeWayne CharlestonSantel FrazierMilton Johnson, Jr.Michael JonesIsaiah MonroeClay Nutall Junior GroomsmenBrandon AndersonBrandon Henley Ring BearerSteven Daniel Monroe HostessesShontenia EdwardsMarshenell ErvinMelonie GrierFaith JosephKara MorganCrystal Royal UshersDarrell ArmstrongNorval EdwardsJeff FisherGreg MillsCraig Royal (stood in for DeWayne Adams, Groomsmen) Candle Lighters/ Jr. Hostesses/ Guest BookLeigh BrooksLauren Crittendon Consultants/ CoordinatorsJennifer Giddings BrooksEvelyn Meeks, DeceasedLynette MurphyMr. &amp; Mrs. Burnham Robinson, both DeceasedMarsha Ross, Deceased

Monita and Ralph

Our Story

Jisell's Photography

Photos

Original officiant of the 1995 wedding and part of Monita's "village" that helped raise her.  Longtime friend of the family and part of Monita's church family at St. Andrews United Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Henry is more like a second father.  Currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Reverend Dr. Luther W. Henry

Senior Pastor at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas-the original ceremony venue for the 1995 wedding.  Friend of the family and part of Monita's church family at St. Andrews United Methodist Church. Rev. Gibson is more like family.  Currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Reverend Carol Grant Gibson

Oldest daughter of Monita and Ralph.  Born in Austin. Graduated from TCU.  Married to Danny Prine.  Currently residing in Oklahoma City.

Marita Henley Prine

Youngest daughter of Monita and Ralph.  Born in Austin.  Graduated from Texas A&M.  Masters from UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth.  Currently residing in Austin.

Marissa Royce Henley

Middle daughter of Monita and Ralph.  Born in Austin.  Graduated from Baylor.  Married to JaVaughn Christopher.  Currently resides in Austin.

Mariah Henley-Christopher

First and only granddaughter of Monita and Ralph.  Born in Austin on January 20, 2022.  Parents are Mariah and JaVaughn Christopher.  Currently residing on Austin. 

Mylah Rose Christopher

Son-In-Law of Monita & Ralph.  Born in Brooklyn, NY.  Married Mariah on August 2, 2017 and renewed vows in formal ceremony in Austin on August 1, 2020.  Have one child Mylah. Currently residing in Austin.

Javaughn Christopher 

Son-In-Law of Monita & Ralph.  Born in Fort Worth, TX.  Married oldest daughter Marita on August 24, 2021. Currently residing in Oklahoma City, OK.

Danny Prine

Original Matron of Honor in 1995 wedding and Monita's childhood friend.  From Fort Worth, TX.  Attended middle school and high school with Monita where they were thought to be sisters.  Married to Greg Bennett.  Currently residing in Mansfield, Texas.

Connie Johnson-Bennett

Original Best Man in 1995 wedding and Ralph's only brother.  From Houston, Texas.  Father of Brandon Henley (original junior groomsman). Attended UT at Austin with Monita.  Currently residing in Los Angeles, California.

Roderick T. Henley

Original Best Man in 1995 wedding and Ralph's childhood friend from the Brentwood neighborhood and high school classmate at Madison High School in Houston, Texas.  His son Steven Daniel Monroe was the ring bearer in the original 1995 wedding and brother Isaiah Monroe was a groomsman in the original 1995 wedding.  From Houston, TX.  Currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Steven Charles Monroe

Original bridesmaid in 1995 wedding and Monita's childhood friend.  Grew up like "sisters".  Currently residing in Washington, DC.

Jacqueline Bryant Campbell

Original bridesmaid in 1995 wedding and Monita's college friend.  Attended UT at Austin with Monita.  Currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Katrina Chambers

Original bridesmaid in 1995 wedding from Monita's hometown o Fort Worth, Texas. Monita's college friend and "home girl".  Attended UT at Austin with Monita.  Currently residing in Centerton, Arkansas.

DeLisa Collins Cooper

Original bridesmaid in 1995 wedding and Monita's college friend.  From Hewitt (Waco), TX.  Attended UT at Austin with Monita.  Married to Michael Jones (groomsmen).  Currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Sharon Watkins Jones

Original bridesmaid in 1995 wedding and Monita's childhood friend from Fort Worth, Texas.  Grew up like "sisters". Attended high school and UT at Austin together.  Currently residing in Round Rock, TX.

Erica Baker McCormick

Original bridesmaid in 1995 wedding and Monita's college roommate from Sealy, Texas.  Attended UT at Austin with Monita.  Currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas.

Yvette Tyler

Original groomsman in 1995 wedding but was not able to make it to the wedding. Ralph's childhood friend from the Brentwood neighborhood and high school classmate at Madison High School, Houston, Texas.  From Houston, TX.  Currently residing aoutside of Houston, Texas.

Dwayne Adams

Groomsman in the original 1995 wedding and Ralph's childhood friend and high school classmate at Madison High School in Houston, Texas.    From Houston, TX.  Currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Santel Frazier

Original groomsmen in 1995 wedding and Monita's only brother.  From Fort Worth, Texas  Attended UTA (Arlington, TX).  Married to Yolanda Johnson, deceased (bridesmaid in original 1995 wedding).  Currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas.

Milton F. Johnson, Jr.

Original groomsmen in 1995 wedding and Ralph's line brother #7 of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.  From San Antonio, TX.  Attended Univ of Houston with Ralph where they pledge the fraternity together.  Married to Sharon Watkins Jones (bridesmaid).  Currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Michael Jones

Original groomsman in 1995 wedding and Ralph's childhood friend from the Brentwood neighborhood .  His nephew Steven Daniel Monroe was the ring bearer in the original 1995 wedding and brother Steven Charles Monroe was one of the Best Men in the original 1995 wedding.  From Houston, TX.  Currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Isaiah Monroe

Original groomsman in 1995 wedding and Ralph's college friend and line brother of Alpha Phii Alpha.  Clay attended University of Houston with Ralph, where the pledged A Phi A in the Spring of 1983..  Clayborn currently resides in Houston, Texas with his wife Pam.

Clayborn Jamal Nutall

Original usher but stood in as groomsman in 1995 wedding taking the place of Dewayne Adams who was not able to make it to the wedding. Ralph's first cousin from Houston (Brentwood neighborhood), TX.  Currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Craig Royal

Royce is Monita's Godsister and the Godmother of our youngest daughter Marissa Royce Henley. Royce was born in Ft. Worth and currently resides in Austin.  She was a junior bridesmaid in the original 1995 wedding.

Royce Brooks

Shala is Monita's  2nd cousin (maternal) from San Antonio.  She was a junior bridesmaid at the original 1995 wedding.  She is married to Arthur Davis and had 2 young children (Makayla and Michal).  They currently reside in LaMarque, TX.

Shala Durham Davis

Original junior groomsmen in 1995 wedding and Monita's cousin and Godson.  Born in Chicago and grew up in Fort Worth, TX.  Graduated from UT at Austin. Godfather of couples youngest daughter, Marissa Royce Henley.  Currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas.

Brandon Anderson

Monita's cousin and sister to Brandon Anderson (original junior groomsman).  From Fort Worth, Texas.  Currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas.

Hillarie (Riri) Anderson

Original hostess in 1995 wedding and Ralph's childhood friend from the Brentwood neighborhood.  More like a "sister" to Ralph.  From Houston, TX.  Married to Norval Edwards (usher).  Currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Shonthenia Brewster Edwards

Original hostess in 1995 wedding and Monita's childhood friend.  More like Monita's older "sister". From Fort Worth, Texas.  Part of the "Gang"- a group of friends (more like family) from Fort Worth for over 60 years.  Currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas.

Melonie Grier

Original usher in 1995 wedding and Ralph's childhood friend from the Brentwood neighborhood and fraternity brother (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity).  From Houston, TX.  Married to Shonthenia Brewster Edwards (hostess).  Currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Norval Edwards

Original usher in 1995 wedding and Ralph's college friend and line brother.  Jeff attended the University of Houston with Ralph.  Married to Sarah Fischer, they currently reside in Pearland, Texas.

Jeff Fischer

Ralph's first cousin from Houston, TX.   Currently residing in Houston, Texas.

Michael Henley

Greg is an original usher in our 1995 wedding and Ralph's college friend and Alpha phi Alpha line brother.  He is from Beaumont, Texas and attended the University of Houston with Ralph. Greg currently resides in Houston, Texas.

Greg Mills

Marion Douglas is a family friend of Monita from Fort Worth, Texas.  He is the former choir director at St Andrews United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He was part of the village at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas that helped raise Monita.  He currently resides in Crowley, Texas.

Marion Douglas

Yvonne is a friend of Monita's family.  She was a singer/soloist in the original 1995 wedding ceremony.  She was part of the village at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas that helped raise Monita.  She  currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas.

Marian Evonne Barrett-Mayfield

Jewel is a friend of Monita's family.  She was a singer/soloist in the original 1995 wedding ceremony.  She was part of the village at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas that helped raise Monita.  She is a choir member at St. Andrews UMC and currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas.

Jewel Caroll

Elder Gloria Davis is the Minister of Ministry at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Elder Gloria Davis

Jisell is the childhood friend of the couples' youngest daughter Marissa.  They attended middle school and high school together in Manor ISD.  She is like a "daughter" and has a passion for photography (and she is good at it).  She is from Austin, Texas where she currently resided.

Jisell Gaspar

Wedding Party

Q + A

If you can book this hotel for a cheaper rate using your personal travel app or Hyatt app, please do so. Otherwise, please use the Hotel Room Block Code for the above rates by 12/13/2024.<a href="https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-place/en-US/dfwzy-hyatt-place-fort-worth-alliance-town-center?corp_id=G-HWRB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hyatt Place Fort Worth/Alliance Town Center</a>

Hyatt Place Fort Worth / Alliance Town Center

Travel

Girls Spa Day on Sunday, January 12, 2025, 2:00pm - 5:00pm for those in the bridal party as well as guest that are still in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area on Sunday. 50 min drive from hotel (Hyatt Place Alliance). We can carpool from hotel leaving at 1:15pm to this location for those that do not have transportation and coming back to the hotel by 6:00pm. More information to come.

Cigars on Sunday, January 12, 2025, 2:00pm - 5:00pm, for those in the grooms party as well as guest that are still in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area on Sunday. 10 min drive from hotel (Hyatt Place Alliance). We can carpool from hotel to this location for those that do not have transportation. The ladies will be relaxing at WorldSprings while the gentlemen can socialize with a cigar or drink of their choice. More information to come.

Cigars International Superstore

Looking for something to do Saturday evening.  Please feel free to join Ralph and I for cocktails, happy hour, dinner, dessert or just to hang out.  Perfect time to catch up with family friends. We will be there at 7:00pm on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

Monita + Ralph

Monita + Ralph

Travel

Hyatt Place Fort Worth / Alliance Town Center