HUMBLE, compassionate, giving and welcoming are just some of the words to describe Westville couple Edward and Joy Booth.
In their 60 years of marriage, the couple has had an adventurous, exciting and blessed life because of the love they have for people and nature.
For Joy and Edward, uplifting people with skills and nurturing their talents fulfils their hearts.
The couples’ love story started when Joy was 15 years old.
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“My sister worked with Edward and sold him my brother’s skating shoes. He didn’t know how to skate, so my sister asked me if I could teach him. And wow, I was so taken when I laid my eyes on him, I immediately fell in love. He was a bit reserved so he was shocked when I held his hand,” says Joy with a laugh.
“The first thing I loved about him was that he was a compassionate man: He had a silver medal in shooting but said he didn’t really like hunting unless he had to. As an animal lover, that was a tick for me,” she said.
On their second date, they went to dance. “He also had a silver medal for ballroom dancing, and I was a ballet dancer. He was honest and a gentleman, and that sealed the deal for me.”
After five and a half years of dating, Edward proposed to Joy. It was a Friday night, and they were at the drive-in cinema. I had a cup of coffee in my hand. I was so excited, I jumped and spilled the coffee all over him.” Joy laughs.
Edward says what he loves most about Joy is her integrity and the love she has for people and how she goes out of her way to uplift them.
Straight after they tied the knot in Johannesburg on March 9, 1963, they travelled through Europe with a Bedford truck. “We did not have any luxury items there, but we had the most amazing time,” says Edward.
Uplifting communities
Edward started his work career as a chartered accountant while Joy did bookkeeping.
He got a job in Durban as the managing director of the Durban branch of The Independent newspapers, and according to his wife, it was Edwards’ idea to put all the newspapers under one building.
“I loved my job – I loved the people, which was the reason I would walk around the building and praise the staff if I saw a person doing a good job. It has always been my desire to uplift people and make them feel worthy,” he said.
Joy said her first love was to work with children, and God blessed her with her heart’s desires as she was extensively involved in The Durban Child and Family Welfare Society, and through the welfare, they started six preschools in underprivileged areas.
“I ran most of those preschools, and seeing a smile on children, who would never have had a chance to attend preschool, fulfilled me. We worked with volunteers who made sure that the children were fed and looked after, and we provided them with good basic education,” said Joy.
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The couple was also very much involved with the Westville Baptist Church as Edward went on to become an elder and a deacon. Joy and Ed were also involved with feeding programmes in the church. The programme was later taken over by Church Alliance for Social Transformation CAST, registered non-profit organisation operating in 13 communities in KwaZulu-Natal.
Going over and beyond
Among their many initiatives, they also ran matric programmes where there were learners from all walks of life.
The learners were taught by listening to tapes from William Smith, a South African science and mathematics teacher who is best known for his maths and science lessons on television.
“We had many professionals helping the learners – it was nice to see those learners passing and going to varsities,” said Edward.
The adventurous couple took up scuba diving in their fifties. “We dived with all kinds of species, including sharks.”
“We are grateful that God gave us a gift to be around people and humble souls, and for that we were blessed with so much more.”
After the couple retired, they ran a programme called Alpha.
Alpha is a parish tool for evangelisation that everyone is welcome to attend. The same Alpha content is run all over the world, by Christians of all traditions, sharing the good news of Jesus.
“We ran it in our home for more than 20 years, and we witnessed miracles through it.”
Joy added that they have had the most exciting life as, before she got married, she had a song that motivated her, with the words: ‘When I fall in love, it will be forever’.
After all that adventure, the couple said they were grateful for the gift of life and being able to travel. We have had many highlights and we have had a chance to share a table with the late Nelson Mandela.
They are proud parents to two daughters and four grandchildren.
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