Births (Published 8/7)

SIKESTON - Brandy Gonzales and Timothy Emerson are the parents of their first child, a son, born at 1:28 p.m. June 27, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center. Braxton Taylor Emerson weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Gonzales, office assistant for Grand Development, is the daughter of David and Brenda Gonzales of Sikeston.

Emerson, who is self-employed in trucking, is the son of Norma Emerson of Sikeston.

MATTHEWS - Rodney and Debra Dunlap are the parents of their second child, first daughter, born at 12:21 p.m. June 27, 2005, at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Rachel Elisabeth Dunlap arrived weighing 8 pounds, 9 ounces and was 20 inches long.

Mrs. Dunlap, an accounting manager for Wal-Mart, is the daughter of John and Susan Beardsley of Sikeston.

Dunlap, pastor for Matthews Missionary Baptist Church, is the son of Howard and Thelma Dunlap of Harviell, Mo.

SIKESTON - Pearl Blacksher is the parent of her fifth child, fourth son, born at 5:08 p.m. June 28, 2005, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Alexander David weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 19.5 inches long.

Blacksher is the daughter of Rebecca Brewer and James Brewer.