Married 45 years . . . and counting

As blind dates go, he was left in the wind.

Evelyn and Janomi McCullough

Janomi McCullough (70), and his wife, Evelyn (Jones) McCullough (68), met through his brother. But the star athlete, home for the Christmas holidays, did not impress his blind date.

“I didn’t like him,” Evelyn said.

But, he was unwavering and resisted her rejections.

“I was determined to be married by the time I was 25, so I pursued her again, and again,” said Janomi.

After dating for a while, Janomi’s persistence won her over and the couple married April 17, 1976, at Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Evelyn attended this church with her late mother, Rosa Mae Jones, and her three sisters, who now live in Miami, FL, Missouri City, TX and McKinney, TX.

While Evelyn grew up in St. Petersburg, graduating Lakewood High School, Janomi is from Miami. He attended Miami Dade South Community College and Dallas Baptist College (University), where he played football, was on the track team, and joined Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in 1973. Growing up in south Florida, he was surrounded by his parents, Golden McCullough, Jr., and Rosa Lee McCullough, and five brothers and one sister. Evelyn and Janomi enjoy the brief southbound road-trips visiting his family and friends in Miami.

Their immediate family consists of three daughters, April Bradley, Janielle McCullough, and Monica McCullough.

“The girls participated in track when they were as young as 7-years-old,” Evelyn said. “April was inducted into the St. Petersburg High School Hall of Fame in 2004. Janielle was inducted in 2017.”

Janomi and Evelyn also enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren - three boys and two girls. The grandsons play basketball at the YMCA, with the younger two boys sharing time in track and field for the St. Petersburg Striders, a community youth team.

Evelyn is a radiology technologist. She worked for Bayfront Hospital and St. Petersburg General, retiring in 2018. She fills some of her spare time officiating track and field throughout Pinellas County, often attending the same events as her husband.

Janomi likes mixing-up his talents. An Army veteran, he retired from the St. Petersburg Times about 20 years ago. He has been a track coach at St. Petersburg High for more than 25 years. An entrepreneur, he started Big Mac Lawn and Landscaping 32 years ago.

When asked what advice the husband and wife would offer a young couple contemplating marriage or trying to solve a relationship issue, both had strong words of spiritual encouragement.

For women, Evelyn said, “First, I would tell her what the Bible says, and follow that word. Submit to your own husband as unto Christ.” Evelyn explained that she and Janomi do not argue, but instead have productive conversations about issues of concern. However, “he makes the final decision on all matters,” she said. “Janomi is the head of our household.”

For men, Janomi says, “Put God first, make sure you’re saved. And, keep your business in your house; your wife is your best friend.”

Janomi and Evelyn enjoying a cruise

For relaxation, Janomi and Evelyn are cruising enthusiasts, traveling to all corners of the world. Evelyn said one of her most memorable cruises was to Alaska, but she appreciates just being on the water with her husband and a group of friends, regardless of the destination. She said for the past 25 years, cruises have been a fundamental part of their annual vacation plans. However, she said due to COVID – 19 travel restrictions, their record trend ended in 2020.

Since the health pandemic placed travel restrictions on cruise destinations, the couple relaxes by driving around site seeing nearby, enjoying the natural beauty of the Tampa Bay area.

Janomi and Evelyn’s conviction as an African American married couple can be witnessed throughout their south St. Petersburg Pinellas Point community. The couple give credit to God for their resilient marriage, and advise others to follow the same path.

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