On 18 June 1938, John Earl Brizendine married Martha Burke Carter in Ashland, Virginia (license issued 18 June 1938). He was 30, single, born in Essex County, living in Howertons, Essex County, Virginia, son of John Maynard Brizendine and Laura Frances Atkins, occupation filling station operator. She was 23, single, born in Essex County, living in Upright, Essex County, Virginia, daughter of Zack Carter and Robert Lou Williams. Ceremony by John S. Smith, Methodist minister. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 3, page 179.]