LUTHER AND FANNIE HOLSENBACK BLACKBURN Luther and Fannie Holsenback Blackburn of Lincolnton were honored on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary at a reception, Saturday, August 8, in the fellowship hall of Fishing Creek Baptist Church where both are active members.

The reception was given by their children, Jay and Debra Blackburn Guin of Washington and Roy Blackburn of Lincolnton.

The Blackburn's daughter, Ann Blackburn Deuback of Texas; son, Leon Blackburn of Savannah; and grandchildren, Christopher Deuback and Austin Blackburn, were unable to join the family for the occasion.

The couple were married August 7, l959, at the McCormick County Courthouse in McCormick, S. C. Mr. Blackburn worked for 15 years at National Mobile Home laying carpet and tile, then became a truck driver for numerous years hauling logs and chips. Mrs. Blackburn worked from 1961 to l986 for Almar Manufacturing Company Washington, then from l986 to l998 at Talmadge Manufacturing Company as a seamstress. Both are retired and reside in Lincoln County on family land on which Mr. Blackburn grew up. He enjoys growing watermelons and competing in the Tom Watson Festival in Thomson each year. They both enjoy attending functions and fellowship at Fishing Creek Baptist Church.

For the anniversary reception Mrs. Blackburn chose a gold beaded shantung elbow-length sleeve jacket over a sleeveless dress. She was presented a corsage of golden sticker roses. Mr. Blackburn was honored with a matching rose boutonniere for the lapel of his suit.

The Blackburns chose the Fluttering Hearts design for their invitations. The ecru style featured two cutout hearts that revealed the invitation wording inside. Embossed roses and "50 Anniversary" were accented with gold foil on the front.

As guests arrived, they greeted the couple and signed the register tended by grandsons, Thomas and Justin Guin of Washington. Covered in gold with a lace topper, the table held a vase of yellow and white snapdragons and Alstroemeria lilies, white Fuji mums and asters and yellow daisies with mixed foliage.

Beautifully decorated for the reception, the fellowship hall continued this theme. The buffet featured lovely arrangements of fresh yellow and white snapdragons and Alstroemeria lilies, white asters and Fuji mums, yellow daisies and mixed foliage.

From the buffet guests enjoyed assorted fruits, vegetable tray, chicken salad with crackers, cheese balls, sausage balls, pecan sandies, mixed nuts, cheese straws and Pigsin a-Blanket. Nearby a round table showcased the elegant anniversary cake, a threetiered confection that held fresh bouquets of yellow Alstroemeria lilies and button mums, white daisies, gypsophila and mixed foliage. Plumosus fern surround the base. The numeral "50" and a bride and bridegroom figurine topped the cake that was served by Lisa Stevens and Tammy Gunter of Washington.

Another round table featured the lighted party fountain from which guests enjoyed the delicious gold punch served by the couple's niece, Mary Susan Blackburn of Lincolnton; grandson, Jacob Guin of Washington, and daughter, Debra Guin. Yellow Alstroemeria lilies and button mums, white daisies and mixed foliage also decorated this table.

Guest tables around the room were covered in gold and decorated with heart-shaped mirrors topped with white rose-shaped votives.

Another table held various pictures of the couple. Enhancing this table was a lighted calla lily, glass vase candleholder, and a romantic figurine. A clear glass cylinder budvase held a long-stemmed single cream lily, white miniature calla lily, ivory sparkle tulle, ivory pearls, miniature English ivory and a filler flower bush, made by their daughter, Mrs. Guin. Also on the table was a 50th anniversary plate engraved with the couple's names and date, given to the couple from the Guins in addition to a gold 50th photo frame.

Each window sill was decorated with a glass and metal holder with a floating candle surrounded by magnolia leaves and other greenery.

As guests departed, they passed a "thank you" table that held a candy dish filled with gold-wrapped anniversary butter mints. Decorating the table was a gold frame that featured in gold writing "Fifty years of love and joy, fifty years of sharing, fifty years of tears and laughter, fifty years of caring. In the years that follow, our memories will give us pleasure, remembering good friends and relatives will be our special treasure. Thank you for sharing this wonderful day".

The couple enjoyed greeting family and friends who attended during the afternoon. Out-of-town guests joining the Blackburns were Kathy Williamson, John Wesley Harold and Charles Harold Jr. of New Bern, N. C., and Albert and Rhonda Lewis and Billy Lewis of Warner Robins.