Man 85, marrying woman, 84

TRUE LOVE knows no barrier and 85-year-old Percival Copeland and his blushing bride-to-be, Edna De Vignes, 84, — are living testimony to this. They’re so much in love they will get to the altar even if they have to be taken there on a stretcher. It was love at first sight for the elderly couple who live at La Romaine. They plan to marry  on February 20, next year. Copeland and de Vignes last week posted their banns at the Wardens Office, Independence Avenue, San Fernando, indicating their intentions. They intend to get married in style, and are making arrangements for  a grand reception. Percival and de Vignes are the oldest couple in Trinidad and Tobago, to tie the knot at such a ripe age. Both are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pemberton Street, La Romaine. Copeland and de Vignes told Sunday Newsday the story of their meeting about a year ago and how their relationship blossomed.

Copeland said he struck love one rainy night when he went to church. He had three marriages before, but Copeland said his wives have all died. De Vignes, who was never married, lives about a quarter mile from Copeland on Betsy Street. De Vignes was in church that fateful night. A member of the congregation decided to introduce her to Copeland. Copeland admitted that he kept his eyes on de Vignes throughout the service. The elderly woman told Sunday Newsday that she broke up with her male companion when she was much younger. De Vignes said she grieved about it until old age. “I never found anyone right to marry,” de Vignes told Sunday Newsday. “But it’s never too late for love,” de Vignes offered this advice when asked how she felt marrying at 84. The elderly couple, who live separately in a their small homes, began visiting each other often. De Vignes described to Sunday Newsday her relationship with Copeland whom she said, “has qualities to make a good husband.” 

Copeland is a father of three and grandfather of five. A WASA retiree, Copeland lost two of his wives in vehicular accidents. His third wife died five years ago. De Vignes, however, is a mother of one child — Joan Corneille, 66. De Vignes said she would never forget how she felt when one Wednesday night in church, Copeland popped the question. He did so after the church service by first proposing his love for de Vignes. Copeland then asked de Vignes for her hand in marriage, in the presence of worshippers. De Vignes admitted being skeptical about marriage. “But our friendship developed into something special,” de Vignes, who speaks fluently for her age, said. “I know Percival cares for me, but I can’t put in words how I feel. It is a good feeling. I thought I was never to get married in this life, but love has no age or knows no boundaries. God had a plan for me,” de Vignes said.      

De Vignes said she plans to wear a blue and silver dress on her wedding day. Copeland told Sunday Newsday that his eldest daughter Umilta Cooper, 66, is in charge of getting him a brand new tuxedo. A beaming Copeland said that his feelings are indescribable. “I really love Edna and I truly believe that we belong together,” a smiling Copeland said. Copeland recalled: “I observed Edna’s movements from the first day I visited the church one year ago. Something about her caught my attention. She has shown concern for me like no other lady I have ever met or known.” De Vignes told Sunday Newsday that she is not looking out for anything special for her honeymoon, except that she’s eager to be comforted in her husband’s arms. As for Copeland, when asked how he intends to spend his honeymoon, he displayed to Sunday Newsday’s camera his T-shirt emblazoned: “65...with a bullet.”