Manns observe 50th event

TAMMS, Ill. -- Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mann of Tamms celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary July 5, 2003, at Horseshoe Lake Community Building in Olive Branch, Ill. Hosts were their children.

Mann and Naomi Bennett were married July 15, 1953, at Mount Zion Baptist Church near Thebes, Ill., by the Rev. John Beggs. Their attendants were Marie Mann, sister of the groom, and the late Norman Dowdy, brother-in-law of the bride.

The couple has six children, Jerry Mann of Thebes, Dennis Mann of Plainfield, Ill., Donna James of Olive Branch, Jeff Mann of Chaffee, Mo., Brian Mann of Aurora, Ill., and Becky Essex of Tamms.

The Manns have 19 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.