Burress-Ouzts

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Emily Caroline Burress of Sumter and Robert Thomas Ouzts of Manning were united in marriage on Sunday, May 3, 2020, in a private ceremony. A celebration of marriage was held at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Sumter.

The bride is the daughter of Mary Lyons Burress and Derek Glenn Burress, both of Sumter, and the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Larry Clarence Lyons Sr. of Sumter and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Clarence Burress Jr. of Wedgefield. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health and from Central Carolina Technical College in 2019 with an Associate in Nursing. She is employed as a registered nurse at McLeod Health Clarendon in Manning.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Anthony Ouzts of Manning, and the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Homer Ouzts of Edgefield and the late Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Madison Mellette of Santee. He graduated from Clemson University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and from the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy in 2020 with a Doctor of Pharmacy. He is employed as a pharmacist by Anderson Pharmacy in Manning.

The Rev. Clayton Thomas Smith officiated at the ceremony.

Music was provided by Nancy Lyons Smith, organist; and Elizabeth Patrick DuRant, soloist.

Escorted by her brother, Benjamin Kyle Burress, the bride wore a cathedral-length veil adorned with lace appliques and a matte fabric gown with a ballgown silhouette featuring an empire waist, an open square back and a chapel-length train. She carried a bouquet of roses, lisianthus and various greenery.

Grayson Elizabeth Grainger and Sterling Elizabeth Pope served as maids of honor. Bridesmaids were Carly Marie Burress, Melissa Kathryn Cherry, Joan Tallon Graham, Sonam Bhupen Kuber, Dorothy Shuttleworth Ouzts, Grayson Elizabeth Perry, Sara Jackson Von Minden and Abby Jayne Wingard. Amelia Gressette DuRant and Anne Heaton DuRant served as flower girls.

The bridegroom's father served as best man. Groomsmen were Benjamin Kyle Burress, brother of the bride, Michael Owen Ouzts, brother of the bridegroom, Matthew Cole Berry, Nathan Earl Downer, Andrew Thomas Kennedy, John Rodgers Mishoe, Adam Gregory Pizzuti, Joshua David Sumner and Christopher Martin Tiller.

The bride's mother held the reception at LinRan Farm.

The bridegroom's parents held the rehearsal party at The Main Room.

Following a wedding trip, the couple resides in Manning.