Richard and Lorraine Evans celebrated their 50th anniversary on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Mineola Civic Center. More than 50 friends and family attended the gala celebration. The couple met while attending the University of North Texas in Denton and were wed in 1968 at the Church of the Holy Cross in Dallas. Following a 30-year career, they have resided in Mineola since December 2002, where they purchased their home. Mr. Evans is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a lifetime member of the American Legion. He worked in the travel industry for many years, and the couple has lived in Memphis, Tenn., Atlanta, Ga., Pennsylvania and Dallas. The party was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Jon Pipkin of Naples, Fla. The event was catered by Traditions of Tyler. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have two daughters, Ellen and David Baker of Wimberly, and Grace and Daniel Cook of Lavon, Texas. Their three grandchildren, Isaiah, 8, Adia, 4, and Samuel Cook, 2, were also in attendance. Richard and Lorraine recently returned from Galveston, where they continued their celebration on a seven-day Caribbean cruise.