Mr. and Mrs. William L. Matthews of Myrtle Beach, S.C., announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura Leigh Matthews of Columbia, S.C., to John H. Ackerman Jr. of Columbia, son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Ackerman Sr. of Andrews, S.C. The bride-elect is also the daughter of the late Lucille Matthews. She is the granddaughter of Sigred Ellis of Bluefield and the late W.K. Ellis. She received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Radford University and a master’s degree in nursing with specialty in anesthesia from the University of Detroit-Mercy, and is employed at Palmetto Health Baptist. The bridegroom-elect is in the surgical tech program at Midlands Community College, is a nursing student at CCTC and is employed at Palmetto Health Richland. The couple will exchange vows on Aug. 4, 2007, at Lebanon United Methodist Church, Columbia, S.C.
