Shoemaker, Kuwahara united in marriage

Mr. and Mrs. Yuya Kuwahara

Elizabeth Anne Shoemaker of Tyler and Yuya Kuwahara of Chiba, Japan were united in marriage on Sept. 9 at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler and on Oct. 7 in Japan.

Ms. Shoemaker is the daughter of Ms. Bonnie Wolfe of Bryan and the late Ray Shoemaker, the granddaughter of Ed and Peggye Whittenburg of Tyler and Enmon and Diane Shoemaker of Leakesville, Miss.. The groom is the son of Kyoichi and Harue Kuwahara of Chiba, Japan, and the grandson of Misako Kuwahara, the late Itaru Kuwahara, Kimiko Kino, and the late Shigeru Kino, all of Japan.

The bride is a graduate of San Saba High School, Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Tyler with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. In 2004, Elizabeth was selected by Tyler Sister Cities to teach English in Yachiyo, Chiba, Japan. A 2005 graduate of Tokyo Biblical Seminary, Mr. Kuwahara serves as the minister of Misaki Christ Church in Misaki, Chiba, Japan.

Her grandmother, Peggye Whittenburg, escorted the bride. Wedding attendants included matron of honor Samantha Jane Walker of Mt. Enterprise; best man Josh Shoemaker, brother of the bride, of Tyler; flower girl Mayzi Sanders of Tyler; and ringbearer Derrick Ishee of Tyler. Officiant was Ken Brumley of Tyler. Vocalists were George Faber and Dr. Otis Webster.

Honorary bridal party members, groomsmen, and house party members included Deby Shoemaker, Los Angeles, California, aunt of the bride; Ayumi Kuwahara, Chiba, Japan, sister of the groom; Dale and Cathryn Cates of Whitehouse; Robert and Marsha Layton of Whitehouse; Matthew and Paige Cates of Tyler; Le'Anne Layton of Whitehouse; Daniel Southerland of Denton; Rachel Finch of Tyler; Ginger Sloan of San Saba; April Tompkins of Tyler; Dr. Bennie Webster of Tyler; Teresa Fields of Fort Worth; and Sally Reed of Tyler. The couple will reside in Chiba, Japan.