Happy Birthday, Miss Mary Ann

Okay, so yesterday, we celebrated Jack Marcellia's 57th birthday. How ironic is this--today is his wife's birthday. Let's get to know more about Mary Ann Hughes-Marcellia.

Mary Ann Hughes-Marcellia was born on September 30, 1957 in Spartanburg, South Carolina to William and Linda Hughes. She was often teased in school because she was born an only child, but Mary Ann worked for everything that she has been blessed with thus far, from school to now.

Mary Ann attended South Carolina University, where she joined Zeta Delta Gamma Sorority, Inc., and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, with a minor in Business Administration. Mary Ann feels that attending South Carolina University was providentially planned, as it was in her freshman year that she met and befriended one Bret George Douglas. On the day of registration, Mary Ann and Bret became best friends, to the point where Bret adopted her as his baby sister. Mary Ann’s parents lived right next door to Bret’s grandparents. Mary Ann also recognized that one Susan Ariel Gosinheimer had a crush on Bret; to learn more about this particular event, read Chapter Five of Simply Bret.

Mary Ann also found her true love in one Jack Edward Marcellia, and the two were wed in 1978. Within this union, Mary Ann gave birth to one son, Jonathan Stephen, and one daughter, Natalie Violet.

When one meets Mary Ann, the first noticeable trait is her lovely Southern accent, which is somewhat reminiscent of the late Rue McClanahan.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT:
When Jack and I became the appointed godparents to Howie, Lizzie, and Nikki.

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT:
On my first date with Jack, I was so nervous that I started hyperventilating like crazy.

FAVORITE ACTOR: John Travolta

FAVORITE ACTRESS: Jennifer Aniston

FAVORITE SINGER: Patti LaBelle

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Friends

FAVORITE MOVIE: Dennis the Menace

FAVORITE ATHLETE: Larry Byrd

FAVORITE CARTOON: Tom & Jerry

FAVORITE COLOR: Silver

FAVORITE FOOD: Philly Cheesesteak

FAVORITE ICE CREAM: Vanilla

SECRET TALENT:
I still remember my ballet classes.

IN MY FREE TIME, I LIKE TO:
Play the piano

IF I COULD’VE DONE IT DIFFERENTLY:
I would’ve been born in North Cackalacka

MY ROLE MODEL(S) GROWING UP:
My mom and dad

THE BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN TO ME:
My dad would tell me all the time: “Always dance with what ‘brung’ you.”

SOMEONE WHO SHARES MY BIRTHDAY:
Marilyn McCoo, Fran Drescher, Crystal Bernard, and Former WWE Diva Candice Michelle

MY DREAM/GOAL IN LIFE IS TO:
See my children succeed in whatever they do.

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE ME:
Southern, Simple, Sensitive

MY BEST FRIEND (ACE-BOOM-KOOM):
Susie Douglas

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT:
Miami, Florida

IF I HAD ONE WISH:
I would be a supermodel just for a day.

SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT ME:
My husband's birthday is September 29, and my birthday is September 30. How amazing is that?

Good Ol' Jack, Charlotte's Other Favorite Son

In today’s blog, I would like to acknowledge the birthday of one Jack Edward Marcellia. Let’s take a look at his profile.

Jack Edward Marcellia was born on September 29, 1954 in Charlotte, North Carolina to Henry and Margaret Marcellia. Born an only child, Jack was a “loud, lovable soul” since birth. Despite his very ebullient disposition, Jack did experience some heartbreak at the age of 12, when his father passed away. Jack took the role as “man of the house” to help his mother in any and every way possible, be it housecleaning or tending to the garden.

After high school, Jack attended and graduated from South Carolina University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Jack was also great in sports, as was evident by his love for baseball and football; his true love, however, was wrestling, and this was proven everytime someone mentioned the name Ric Flair.

It was also at South Carolina University that, prior to graduation, Jack found his college sweetheart, Mary Ann Hughes, who later turned out to be the love of his life in an ironic twist of fate. The story goes that Jack and Mary Ann were both best friends with one Bret Douglas, and one fateful afternoon, while Bret and Mary Ann were celebration the completion of their freshman year, Jack locked eyes with Mary Ann and winked at her. Bret knew that both of these “crazy kids” were crazy about each other, so he merely suggested that they at least go out on one date; Bret also promised to support both Jack and Mary Ann, no matter the outcome. Well, Jack and Mary Ann did go out, and the rest, as they say, is history. Jack and Mary Ann ultimately got married in 1978, and raised two children, Jonathan Stephen and Natalie Violet.

After spending most of their lives in Charlotte, Jack decided that he and his wife and children needed a better life, so the Marcellias headed west to Southern California in 2002. They now reside in Torrance, California.

Aside from being a great family man, Jack is blessed to be Bret’s best friend for well over 30 years. It’s also important to point out that within said 30 years, Jack has referred to Bret as “Bret my boy,” of which the latter refers to Jack as “Good Ol’ Jack.”

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT:
When Bret and I went to professional wrestling school for all of one day.

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT:
When Nattie was a little girl, I would play “Tea Party” her, and I would always get stuck in those little tea party chairs.

FAVORITE ACTOR: Cedric the Entertainer

FAVORITE ACTRESS: Sharon Stone

FAVORITE SINGER: Phil Collins

FAVORITE TV SHOW: King of Queens

FAVORITE MOVIE: The Original Kings of Comedy

FAVORITE ATHLETE: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

FAVORITE CARTOON: The Jetsons

FAVORITE COLOR: Blue

FAVORITE FOOD: Steak and Baked Potato

FAVORITE ICE CREAM: Chocolate Chip

SECRET TALENT:
My kids taught me a little hip-hop… “What up, Money?”

IN MY FREE TIME, I LIKE TO:
Read a book or do a crossword puzzle

IF I COULD’VE DONE IT DIFFERENTLY:
I would’ve finished that professional wrestling school, and I would be the one holding the World Heavyweight Championship.

MY ROLE MODEL(S) GROWING UP:
My parents, Henry & Margaret Marcellia

THE BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN TO ME:
Whatever you do, make sure you do your absolute best.

SOMEONE WHO SHARES MY BIRTHDAY:
Madeline Khan and Bryant Gumbel

MY DREAM/GOAL IN LIFE IS TO:
Retire at age 60... Maybe even 59.

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE ME:
Humorous, Strong-Willed, Young-At-Heart

MY BEST FRIEND (ACE-BOOM-KOOM)
Bret George Douglas (a.k.a. “Bret my boy”)

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT:
North Cackalacky, as always.

IF I HAD ONE WISH:
I would be rich and retired… right now.

SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT ME:
I can find humor in almost any situation.

Candi-Girl, You Rock My World!

Hello again!

I would like to wish a happy birthday to a very special gal: Candace Cassandra Jones. She celebrated her 23rd birthday on Saturday, September 18, 2010.

If you would like to know more about Candace, then check out her bio:

Candace Cassandra Jones is the only child of Anthony and Stephanie Jones, and the eldest grandchild of Vivian Jewel Jones. Often known as “Candi-Girl,” she was born in Culver City, California, on September 18, 1987.

Candace is the first grandchild of her generation to graduate from college. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English, but her dream is to become a dancer and a choreographer like Debbie Allen. Candace is also best friends with Sarah Douglas, Natalie Marcellia, and Melissa Roberts.

When she's not hanging out with her friends, Candace is spending time with her grandmother, whom we all affectionately know as Ms. Vivian. Ever since she was a child, though, Candace has always referred to her grandmother as "Gramma Jewel."

Candace’s motto is: “Make sure you always carry an extra smile for the rest of the day.”

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT:
When I officially became a member of Howie’s Angels—it’s four of us now!

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT:
I’d much rather keep that to myself.

FAVORITE ACTOR: LaVan Davis

FAVORITE ACTRESS: Cassi Davis

FAVORITE SINGER(S): Donell Jones

FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Tyler Perry’s House of Payne

FAVORITE MOVIE:
Meet the Browns

FAVORITE ATHLETE:
Vince Carter

FAVORITE CARTOON:
Tiny Toon Adventures

FAVORITE COLOR: Red

FAVORITE FOOD:
My Gramma Jewel’s Pork Chops

FAVORITE ICE CREAM:
Chocolate Chip

SECRET TALENT:
I can kinda sorta dance.

IN MY FREE TIME, I LIKE TO:
Hang out with my Gramma Jewel and my friends

IF I COULD’VE DONE IT DIFFERENTLY:
I would’ve probably gone to Rust College.

MY ROLE MODEL(S) GROWING UP:
Gramma Jewel and Grandpa Clark

THE BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN TO ME:
To quote my Gramma Jewel: “No matter what life throws at you, just keep on in spite of.”

CELEBRITIES WHO SHARE MY BIRTHDAY:
Fred Willard, Xzibit, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Ricky Bell from New Edition, and Holly Robinson Peete

MY DREAM/GOAL IN LIFE IS TO:
Have my own dance studio

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE ME:
Hottie, Cutie, Sweetie

MY BEST FRIEND (ACE-BOOM-KOOM):
Lizzie, Nattie, and Leili

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT:
Gramma Jewel’s, Baby—where else?

IF I HAD ONE WISH:
I just want $35,000 dollars—that’s all!

SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT ME:
I am the first grandchild of my generation to graduate from college. I’m also helping my Gramma Jewel write her very first book.