Blankenship-Pettit. (2003 Wedding Register).

Miss Leigh Punter Blankenship became the bride of Christopher Glenn Pettit on July 28, 2001, in a candlelight evening ceremony at six o' clock at Okolona First Baptist Church. The double-ring ceremony was officiated by Rev. Dr. William Randall Lewman and Rev. Bevin Wayne Long, uncle of the bride.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Murry B. Blankenship and the granddaughter of Mrs. Ed Criswell and the late Mr. Criswell, all of Okolona, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Murry Hunter Blankenship of West Point.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Presley Peffit and the grandson of Mrs. Roy Pettit and the late Roy Pettit and the late Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt Morgan, Sr., all of Kosciusko.

Guests were welcomed by Nancy Sullivan and registered by Julie Bradley Gregory. Ashley Cole Loftin and John Wesley Gregory were program attendants. The wedding was under the direction of Karen Stewart.

A program of nuptial music was presented prior to the chiming of the hour by Patsy Riley Vaughn, organist, and Nina Riley, pianist. Soloists included Jeannette Stevens, Thomas Ashley Stevens, and Doug Riley. Scripture readers were George Mayfield and Timothy Posey.

Vows were exchanged before an elegant fresh white gladiola tree interspersed with long white tapers lit by John Edward Blankenship and Murry Bernard Blankenship, Jr., brothers of the bride.

The church was decorated with greenery, columns, white pillar candles, and lush ferns.

Escorted and given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a white designer gown of Italian satin featuring a scooped neckline heavily accented with a yoke of pearls, complemented by an A-line skirt and chapel train. Pearl buttons enhanced the back. Her fingertip veil of illusion fell from a heavily encrusted band of pearls. She carried a petite hand-tied nosegay of yellow roses.

Attending the bride as maid of honor was Laura Gail Wooldridge. Matron of honor was Manza Lindsay Blame. Bridesmaids were Dawn Vollor Blankenship, Dana Wise Eubank, Jennifer Lambert Hester, Ronda Palmer Lockhart, Kathryn Word Pennebaker, Ramona Martin Roberts, and Lindsay Karrah Long. Sara Katherine Blankenship was junior bridesmaid. They wore identical two piece ensembles of taupe featuring sleeveless tops of glimmer-knit with princess seams and floor-length skirts of L'amour satin. Hannah Claire Blankenship, flower girl, wore an heirloom dress of white with a halo of baby s breath. Attendants carried exposed hand-tied bouquets of yellow roses.

Mr. Pettit served his son as best man. Groomsmen were Murry Bernard Blankenship, Jr., John Edward Blankenship, Jimmy Norris Blame, Timothy Atward Blame, Christopher Allen Edwards, Kelly Scott Fuigham, Michael Keith Green, Abb Morgan Henry, III, and Richard Brian Rone.

Following the pronouncement of marriage, Mr. Stevens led the guests in singing the hymn, "Blest Be the Tie That Binds." While the couple descended the steps of the church, the chimes atop First United Methodist Church rang out "Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee," as a limousine whisked them to the champagne reception at Okolona Country Club.

Guests followed lighted tiki torches and wrought iron hurricane lights to the clubhouse, where pasta salad, corn salad, a towering vegetable tree with side dips, Southern traditional round tomato sandwiches, pineapple-shaped cheese ball, hors d oeuvres, pates, and finger foods were served.

The bride's table held the white four-tier cake topped with yellow roses, her stenograph machine, and Ole Miss memorabilia. The groom's chocolate two-tier cake was topped with frosted grapes and accented by MSU memorabilia.

The patio, lawn, and pool areas featured round white skirted tables, fica trees and hedgerow entwined with white lights and hurricane torches. Guests danced to the lively music of the 30 Fingers Band. A massive wreath of greenery and white roses floated in the pool.

Southern-style fried green tomatoes were served as guests filled their plates with BBQ pork and soft rolls. Venison, creamed potatoes, gravy, and biscuits were served from a table covered with camouflage.

A white tent illuminated by large white lights covered a champagne table holding a massive strawberry tree and cheese biscuits.

Following a honeymoon to Dunn's River, Jamaica, the couple make their home in Nettleton, where the groom is a coach and teacher with the Nettleton Public School System and the bride is a partner in the firm of Blankenship & Roberts Court Reporting.