Sheila Gilchrist and Kendal Bates were married Nov. 12, 2011, in an outdoor wedding at Huckleberry Farm in Jasper, Alabama. Billy Green, cousin of the groom, officiated. The bride was given in marriage by her mother and father, Wayne and Alison Gilchrist.
The bride is graduate of Federal Hocking High School, Johnson and Wales University of Miami, Florida, Ohio University in Athens, and received a master's degree from Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio. She is operations supervisor with the Birmingham Airport Authority in Birmingham, Alabama. She is the daughter of Alison Gilchrist of Marietta and Wayne Gilchrist of Sharpsburg, Ohio
The bridegroom is a graduate of Amite School Center in Liberty, Mississippi, Southwest Mississippi Community College of Summit, Mississippi, the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and is attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. He is commander of aircraft maintenance operations at the 117th Air Refueling Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the son of Gloria Bates and the late Mr. Jimmy Bates of Liberty, Mississippi.
The bride wore a strapless ball gown.
Maid of honor was Angela Gilchrist of Ashland, Ohio, sister of the bride.
Flower girl was Elizabeth Gilchrist of Sharpsburg, Ohio, niece of the bride.
Ring bearer was Adam Gilchrist of Sharpsburg, Ohio, nephew of the bride.
Best man was Kevin Bates of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, brother to the groom.
Ushers were Logan and Nathan Sparacio of Ashland, Ohio, nephews of the bride.
A reception was held in a rustic barn at Huckleberry Farm in Jasper, Alabama.
After a wedding trip to Europe by train through England, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany for three weeks, the couple are residing in Birmingham, Alabama.
