Dana Lauren Futrell and Gene Lorn Thompson were united in marriage on Saturday, August 5, 2006 at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Suffolk. The double-ring ceremony was performed by Dr. Bryan J. Ray, Pastor. A reception was held in the church’s Family Life Center.

The bride is the daughter of Donald and Wanda Futrell, of Suffolk. She is the maternal granddaughter of Robert and Mary Butler, of Carrsville. She is the paternal granddaughter of Howard and Mildred Futrell of Conway, N.C. Dana is a graduate of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and Radford University. She is currently in the university’s graduate studies program and a second grade teacher at Blacksburg New School.

The groom is the son of retired Lt. Col. Robert Thompson, United States Marine Corps, and Melissa Thompson of Stafford. He is the maternal grandson of John Lamb of Jonesboro, Ga. And Chung Ai Lamb of Forest Park, Ga. He is the paternal grandson of the late Col. and Mrs. Gene Lorn Thompson, United States Marine Corps, of Forest Park. Thompson is a graduate of North Stafford High School and a candidate for graduation in December from Radford University, majoring in information science and systems.

The bride was escorted by her father and presented in marriage by her parents. Autumn Leggett, of Wake Forest, N.C., served as matron of honor and Liann Haley, of Christiansburg, served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Deann Perry, of Suffolk; Stephanie Ulan, of Radford; Mary-Elizabeth Wellman, of Norfolk; and Christian Laws, of Inwood, W.V. Keelie Futrell, cousin of the bride, of Conway, served as junior bridesmaid and Bethany Brinkley, of Suffolk, as the flower girl.

The groom’s father served as best man. Groomsmen were John Thompson and Stephen Thompson, brothers of the groom, of Stafford; Matthew Martin of Bedford, N.H.; Robert Butler Jr., uncle of the bride, of Carrsville; James Davis, of Hearndon; and Adam Daniel, of Roanoke.

Attendants included Kelly Thompson, sister of the groom, of Stafford; Sarah Whisman, of Stafford; Heather Weatherly, of Suffolk; Carrie Purser, of Gates, N.C.; Cheryl Comstock, Naomi Bradshaw and Kristen Sherrick, of Suffolk. Sarah Pettit Lunde, cousin of the bride, of Chesapeake, and Pauline Walsh Warren, of Suffolk, served as mistresses of ceremonies. Jeff Warren served as master of reception ceremonies and Dean and Romel Perry served as reception host and hostess. Instrumentalists included Michael Curry, of Suffolk; Talmadge Darden, of Carrsville; and Sid Neighbours, of Portsmouth. Erica Warren of Suffolk was soloist.

The bride wore a long Mori Lee Couture gown of pearl fashioned with a strapless neckline and a drop waist with a corset back, accented with tiny pearls and sequins. The full skirt was designed with pick-ups adorned with sequins and extended into a chapel-length train. She wore a chapel-length veil and carried a colorful bouquet of calla lilies, roses, mini-gerber daisies and berries.

The rehearsal dinner, hosted by the groom’s parents, was held at the Nansemond River Golf Club and enjoyed by the bridal party as well as out-of-town guests.

Prewedding events included a lingerie shower hosted by Liann Haley and Stephanie Ulan; miscellaneous shower hosted by Autumn Leggett, Pauline Warren, Heather Weatherly and Jenny Leggett; miscellaneous shower hosted by Deann Perry and Romel Perry. A barbeque and shower was given by Sarah Lunde, Frances Pettit, Patricia Carr and Delma Futrell. A bridal luncheon held at the Hilton Constance’s Wharf Restaurant by the bride and her mother included a White Bible Ceremony assisted by Carrie Purser, Cheryl Comstock and Naomi Bradshaw.

The newlyweds honeymooned in Lake Tahoe, California, and now reside in Radford, Virginia.