Birth (published 12/29)

NEW MADRID - Eric Christopher and Leslie Anne Branum are the parents of their first child, a daughter, born at 4:10 a.m. Nov. 29, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Jordan Taylor Branum weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces and was 20-inches long.

The former Leslie Thomason, Mrs. Branum is the daughter of Marilyn Thomason and Allan Thomason of Marston.

Branum, son of Leann Branum of New Madrid and Rick Branum of Kewanee, is employed by St. Jude Harbor Service.