Special to the Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Krewe of Phoenix recently announced its royalty for the 2017 Mardi Gras season.

The Krewe celebrated with its invitation-only King and Queen’s Ball on New Year’s Eve at the Natchez Community Center.

The Call Out Ball will be from 8 p.m. to midnight on Jan. 28 at the Natchez City Auditorium. Non-member tickets are $15.

The Grand Ball will be at 8 p.m. on Feb. 18., and the Krewe of Phoenix Parade will be at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 24. Tickets are $65 for non-members.

The Royalty are:

Rosalie XXXV Sue Stedman

A native of Crystal Springs, Sue Stedman, became a Natchez resident in 1986. Sue is a graduate of Hinds Junior College, where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and Mississippi State University with a major in accounting.

Her career in real estate began as executive officer of the Jackson Board of Realtors. After moving to Natchez, she became co-owner and vice president of Stedman Realtors, Inc., now doing business as Crye-Leike Stedman Realtors. Sue holds both a Mississippi and Louisiana real estate broker’s license

She has been active in the community as a member of numerous civic and professional organizations and has served as chairman of Natchez Inc.; the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce; the Natchez Board of Realtors; the Adams County Republican Party; and Keep Natchez Beautiful. She served the city of Natchez as an alderman for eight years and as a commissioner on the Mississippi Ethics Commission for six years.

She presently serves as a board member of Merit Hospital Natchez; Natchez Inc.; United Mississippi Bank; the Mississippi Board for Community Colleges; and the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society.

During her career, she has been the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, the Mississippi Small Business Administration’s Women in Business Advocate of the Year, Entergy Mississippi’s Community Leadership Award, and the Natchez Board of Realtors Realtor of the Year Award.

Sue is married to Joe W. Stedman and celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with him last year. Sue has a stepdaughter, Stacy Holloway. Stacy and her husband, Murray, have three beautiful daughters, Molly, Abby, and Emily.

In lieu of gifts, donations are requested to the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society.

Rex XXXV Robert C. Russ

Chandler Russ is a native of Natchez and received a bachelor of science degree in regional and community planning and a master’s in economic and community development from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Chandler has been in economic development for 23 years. He became Executive Director of Natchez Inc. in November of 2010. His previous experience includes director of existing business and industry for the Mississippi Development Authority; economic development for the Mississippi region for Tennessee Valley Authority; executive director of the Brookhaven/Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce; and Nevada County Economic Development Office in Prescott, Ark. Since returning to Natchez, he has led Natchez Inc. securing nearly $500 million in new capital investment and over 700 new jobs.

Chandler also serves on the board of directors for the Mississippi Economic Development Council, One Mississippi an advisory board of the Mississippi Development Authority. He is currently the president of St. Catherine Creek Utility Authority, past president of the Southwest Mississippi Partnership, a 10-county economic development marketing group, and served as chairman of the energy task force for the Mississippi Development Authority. Chandler is also an accomplished golfer and enjoys reading and collecting presidential political pins.

Chandler is married to Sarah Russ of Laurel. The Russes reside in Natchez. He has two sons, Jack, 14, and Noah, 11.

Fayla Huff Guedon – Duchess La Glorieuse

Fayla Huff Guedon spent her time growing up between Yazoo City and Natchez, and graduated from Adams County Christian School in 1994. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi and received her bachelor of science degree in clinical laboratory science from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Fayla is employed by Merit Health Natchez.

She is an active member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club where she has served on numerous committees, is on the Stanton Hall governing board, and has recently served as chairman of the Historic Natchez Tableaux. She is a current board member for the Adams County Farm Bureau Federation, a lifetime member of Delta Gamma Sorority, a member of the Divine Dixie Divas and is active in the USTA Tennis Leagues. Fayla is also a member of Church Hill United Methodist Church.

Fayla is married to Noble Guedon, Duke of Monmouth 2015, and they have two children, Caroline, 13, and Grayson, 12.

George A. Mayers – Duke Great Sun

A Natchez native, G.A. Mayers is a graduate of Adams County Christian High School and Delta State University. He is employed with UPS and has served the Natchez area as a favorite man in brown for 26 years.

G.A. is an avid tennis player in the USTA tennis league where he met his wife, Lisa, Rosalie XXXIII. He is a member of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church where he serves on the administrative board.

His hobbies include MSU football, hunting and relaxing on Lake St. John.

G.A. is married to Lisa Jordan Dale and they have three children, Tyler, Allie and Alex.

Maggie Martin Smith – Duchess Marie Therese

Maggie Smith is a life-long Natchez resident. A graduate of South Natchez-Adams High School, Maggie has been employed in the optical field for 29 years, but recently received her associates degree from Copiah-Lincoln Community College and is currently a senior attending Alcorn State University, pursuing a degree in elementary education.

Maggie is a member of St. Mary Basilica, where she served many years working with the youth. She is also a founding member of the Krewe of the Divine Dixie Divas.

Maggie is an avid LSU, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Braves fan. In her spare time, she loves attending sporting events or watching them on TV.   She is involved in various community and charitable organizations. She enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Maggie is the mother of one son, Garrett Smith.

Ryan Morrison, DMD – Duke of Versailles

Born in Beaumont, Texas, and raised in Natchez, Ryan Morrison graduated as valedictorian from Cathedral High School in 2004.

He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor of science in biological sciences and a Spanish minor from Mississippi State University, and completed his dental school training at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he was on the Dean’s List. After completing a General Practice Residency at the University of Alabama Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, he began practicing at Cumberland Dental in 2014.
Ryan is active in the Alabama Academy of General Dentistry, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, following the Crimson Tide, running, and traveling. Also, Ryan volunteers with the Cathedral High School Science Department, serving as a Science National Honor Society Alumni Adopted Scientist. He is a member of the Cathedral of St. Paul Catholic Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
Ryan’s mother, Blanche Morrison, served as royalty in 2005 as Duchess La Glorieuse.
Madison Lees – Duchess Panmure
Madison and her family moved to Natchez three years ago. Madison was born and raised in nearby Woodville, MS.
She graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in business administration. While at Ole Miss, she was an active member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Madison and her husband own two restaurants – one in Natchez and one that recently opened in Baton Rouge, LA.

 

Madison is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and the Pilgrimage Garden Club, among other groups.
When Madison and her husband are not working, they enjoy cheering for the Ole Miss rebels, traveling, and having a BLAST with their family and friends!
Madison is the daughter of Gerie Ellen and Jerry Foster of Woodville. She and her husband Jason have two children, Hollis and Huddy.
Charles Hayden Kaiser III – Duke Monfort
Hayden is a Natchez native and has worked as a civil engineer for 25 years. He is a principal owner of Jordan, Kaiser & Sessions, LLC, engineering and land surveying firm in Natchez. He graduated with a B.S.C.E. from the University of Mississippi and holds professional engineering licenses in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas.
He is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Mississippi Engineering Society, and American Council of Engineering Companies. He has served as President of Mississippi Engineering Society and currently serves on the National Membership Committee. Hayden is also a member of the Mississippi Airport Association, Mississippi Concrete Association, and the Mississippi Water Resource Association.
Hayden is a past President of the Rotary Club of Natchez, Beau Pre Country Club, and was a member of the 1993 Class of Leadership Natchez.
Hayden is married to Michelle Kaiser and they have three children, Caroline, Chase and Matthew, who attend Cathedral School. The family attends St. Mary’s Basilica. Hayden enjoys following all of his children’s many school activities which include cheering, basketball, softball, football, travel baseball and golf.

Theresa Renee Cantu – Duchess Marguerite Theresa de Limos
Renee is a graduate of South Natchez Adams High School. She continued her education at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College and Alcorn State University. She is currently employed by Merit Health Natchez.
Renee is a past member of The Natchez Jaycees, The Natchez Jaycettes, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, The Mississippi Floral Association, the 2014 Leadership Natchez Class, and the Krewe of Alpheus, where she served as a Duchess in 2001. She has been a member of the Krewe of Phoenix since moving back to Natchez in 2009. She is a current member of The Daughters of the Nile, a women’s organization benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children. Through these organizations, she has enjoyed volunteering for the Great Mississippi Balloon Race, St Jude’s, Natchez Chili Cook-off, Catholic Charities’ Purple Dress Run, and other fundraisers for the Guardian Shelter, Relay for Life, Natchez Festival of Music, and the Shriners Hospital of Shreveport.

Renee is an active member of Parkway Baptist Church.
Renee enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling as much as possible.
Renee is the daughter of the late Harold & Lucille Stegall. She is married to Pete Cantu and is the proud grandmother of Hayes Ryan Smith, son of her daughter and son-in-law, Kayce, Duchess Eliza Lowe Little 2013, and Alan Smith of Covington, LA.
Dave “Rosco” Kimbro – Duke Manuel Gayosa Delimos
Rosco was born and raised in Natchez, MS and is now living on Lake St. John.  He is the morning show host on 95-Country radio.  He began a radio career while still in high school at the same company that he works for today, First Natchez Radio Group, owned by the Perkins Family.  He won various awards from the MS Association of Broadcasters for commercials before leaving for Jackson in ’76 to work for the number one station in MS, “WJDX-AM. In 1984 he moved to WTYX-FM and hosted the #1 night show in the state.  He moved to “Afternoon Drive” and then to morning show, «The Dawn Busters”.  He continued to win state wide award for commercials and stations promotional announcements. Rosco enjoyed a brief stint on television as host for “Dawn Buster After Dark” on WLBT-TV and “Catching A Wave”, a half hour show that aired on WJTV-TV during the summer of 1988. He moved back to Natchez in 1990 and shared the 95-Country morning show and has been morning show host since then on the “Wake Up With the Giant” Show.  He is also the Program Director for FUN 101.
He participated in several community projects while in Jackson including the March of Dimes Walk, Zoo Blues, American Heart Association’s Bachelor Auction, and Boy Scout events.  He also won the “DJ of The Year” award at the Jackson Music Awards in 1988.
Rosco was selected royalty in the Krewe of Alpheus as a Duke, and chosen as St. Patrick with the Krewe of Killarney.  He was also chosen as Grand Marshal of the Natchez Christmas Parade in the mid-90›s and Grand Marshal of the Krewe of Phoenix Mardi Gras parade in 2005. He is the current Vice President of the Adams County Coalition For Children and Youth, and also a member of the Miss-Lou Relay For Life Committee, a member of the Concordia Parish Chamber Of Commerce, and has helped with the American Heart Association, St Jude›s Children›s Hospital, National Football Foundation and College Hall Of Fame, Krewe Of Killarney, The United Way, Sunshine Shelter for Children, Guardian Shelter, Pleasant Acres Day School, Concordia D.A.R.E. program, and more.
He enjoys photography, cooking, music and spending time with friends.
Rosco’s parents are the late Cliff and Mildred Kimbro.
Mary-Margaret Edwards—Duchess Eliza Lowe Little
Mary-Margaret Edwards grew up in Ferriday, Louisiana, and returned from Baton Rouge to live in Natchez in 2010. She graduated from Cathedral School in 2002 and from Louisiana State University in 2006. Mary-Margaret is currently employed as Business Development Representative for Camellia Hospice.
She is a member of St. Mary Basilica, the Natchez Garden Club, the Krewe of Phoenix, and the Queen Bees.
Any spare time Mary-Margaret has is spent being with family and friends, listening to music, reading, enjoying photography, and cheering on her favorite football teams—the Cathedral School Green Wave and the LSU Tigers.
Mary-Margaret is married to Stephen Edwards from Natchez and is a stepmother to Houston, 9, and mother to Annie, 3, and Mary-Thomas, 1. Mary-Margaret is the daughter of Richard and Sheila Alwood of Ferriday.
Dallas Morris – Duke of Monmouth
Dallas Morris was born in Opelousas, LA and grew up in Destin, FL.
He is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While attending college he was a 4 year letter on the Ragin Cajun’s baseball team and drafted by the Anaheim Angels in 2005.
He moved to Natchez in 2012 after marrying Dr. Casey Morris. They have two children, Evelyn and Easten. In 2014, he opened up Miss-Lou Family Dentistry of Natchez with his family and is the operating manager of both locations.
He is an active member of St Mary’s Catholic Church and current President of the Beau Pre Home Owners Association. In his free time he enjoys hunting, fishing, tennis, and flying airplanes.
Elizabeth Hall – Duchess Varina Howell Davis
Elizabeth Hall was born in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, but now calls Natchez home. She graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2010 with a degree in Religious Studies. Hall is currently employed by Terry Estes State Farm where she is a licensed insurance agent.
She is a member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, Natchez Young Professionals, and is the recruitment officer for the Natchez Area Kappa Delta Alumnae. She regularly attends Jefferson Street United Methodist Church.
Hall is married to Matthew Hall of Natchez. They have one daughter, Abigail.
Serving as duchess for the Krewe of Phoenix is the continuation of the Hall family tradition. Prior family royalty include: Dr. David G. Hall served as Duke Jefferson Davis in 1997; Christina W. Hall served as Rosalie XXII in 2004; Joyce C. Hall served as Duchess Varina Howell Davis in 2006; Holly H. Aldredge served as Duchess Varina Howell Davis in 2011; and Matthew W. Hall served as Duke Jefferson Davis in 2014.
David Ryan – Duke Jefferson Davis
David Ryan was born and raised in Woodville, MS. He attended school at Wilkinson County Christian Academy and graduated in 2006.
After studying at the University of Southern Mississippi, his job as an inspector for the oil and gas industry took him to many different areas within the United States. He then returned to Natchez, and is now employed by Great River Industries.

David is married to Elizabeth Blackwell Ryan and they have one daughter, Aubrey. They attend church at St. Mary’s, and in his spare time he enjoys hunting, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends.