Rex XXVI, Leslie D. Wisinger

Leslie D. Wisinger, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Frank Wisinger, was born and raised in El Dorado, Ark. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. After school, at 21 years of age, he owned and managed a roofing company and had a catering business as well. After selling the roofing company, he moved to New York City to model for Bill Blass. He worked for New York’s infamous “Queen of Mean” Leona Helmsley at the Palace Hotel.

Mr. Wisinger moved back to Arkansas to raise his niece, LaRena Rives, with whom he remains very close. There he opened a restaurant and eventually moved it to Natchez called The Prentiss Club Restaurant.

Next, he worked and understudied with Reuben L. Buzz Harper in interior decorating and drapery design in Natchez, and now his expertise takes him all over the country for Harper’s Interiors and Design Inc.

His pets are an important part of his life, along with his hobbies of boating, fishing and working. His boat is named Phantom. He resides in the well known Ravennaside antebellum home in Natchez. He attends St. Mary Basilica

Rosalie XXVI, Ginger Hyland

Ginger Hyland is a graduate of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky. She raised racing quarter horses at her ranch in Lake Hughes, Calif., for many years and is the only woman to date that has been the president of the American Quarter Horse Association. She restored a Victorian farmhouse at her ranch giving professional tours and outdoor garden weddings for eight years.

Hyland moved to Santa Fe, N.M., in 2000 where she worked with over a dozen different non-profit organizations, helping with their major fundraisers and gala events. She also studied voice and began singing regularly at Vanessie’s and Pranzo’s fine piano bars.

In September 2006, Hyland purchased The Towers in Natchez and began extensive renovations. She and her parents Pat and Muriel Hyland have had close friends in Natchez for many years.

Among Hyland’s interests are antiques, and she has many extensive collections. She also has continued her voice training and performs most Fridays at the Natchez Historic Inn. She remains active with the American Quarter Horse Association, traveling to Amarillo, Texas several times a year. Ginger is also on the board of director’s of the Natchez Festival of Music.

Duke Great Sun, Marcus Mason

Marcus Keywood Mason is a graduate of Cathedral High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. He recently returned to Natchez from Hattiesburg and currently is the Sales Manager of Miller Lite Distributor, Stokes Distributing Company of Natchez. He is a member of the Natchez Santa Claus Committee and the First Presbyterian Church. He enjoys USM and LSU football games and coaches in the AYA football league.

Marcus is the son of Lynn Britt and Mark Mason and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Eyrich, Jr. He also is engaged to be married in April to Hannah Smith, the granddaughter of Rex III, Dr. George West Moss.

Duchess La Glorieuse, Lou Ellen Stout

Lou Ellen Alford Stout is a native of McComb, Mississippi and graduated high school from Parklane Academy. She has lived in Natchez for 12 years. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations and Communications. She is a member of the USM Alumni Association and Phi Mu Alumni Association. Lou Ellen works as a paralegal for Stout & Company, LLC.

She is a member of the Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce, Pilgrimage Garden Club, Krewe of Phoenix, United States Tennis Association, Cathedral Athletic Association, Natchez Little Theater, Natchez-Adams Humane Society, American Heart Association, and American Cancer Society. She is a member of Parkway Baptist Church, where she also sings in the choir.

She is a reality TV show fanatic. She also enjoys singing, playing tennis, watching football, and spending time with family and friends.

She is married to Guy Stout, and they have two children, Sallie, a 7th grader at Cathedral and Sam, 17 months.

Duke of Versailles, Tim Sessions

James T. Sessions, known by friends and family as Tim, grew up in Woodville, Mississippi and graduated from Wilkinson County Christian Academy. He furthered his education at Mississippi State University and at Louisiana State University obtaining a degree in banking from the latter.

Tim spent over twenty-six years in the banking industry, most of which was spent with one of the local banks in Woodville. During that time he served in various positions which included President and Vice Chairman of the Board. He also served four terms on the city council in Woodville and served on the boards of the Wilkinson County Civic Club, Southwest Mississippi Barbeque Festival, Woodville Main Street Committee, and various positions on the vestry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Tim and his wife of twenty-five years, Donna, became fulltime residents of Natchez about a year ago. They moved here with their daughter, Corley Anne, who is a sophomore at Mississippi State University; and their daughter, Mary Frances, who is in the third grade at Cathedral School; and Bear, their golden retriever. Tim is presently owner and agent of River City Insurance Agency here in Natchez. He and his family are members of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Vidalia.

Tim’s hobbies include snow skiing, water skiing, and cooking (especially barbequing) provided friends and family are along to help him enjoy the fun.

Duchess Marie Therese, Ginger Schwager

Ginger Carter Schwager is a cum laude graduate of Mississippi State College for Women with a B. S. in Biology, a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a B. S. in Medical Technology, and an honor graduate of Mississippi College with a master’s degree in Health Science. She retired after 30 years of working at Field Memorial Community Hospital in Centreville where her final position was Assistant Administrator for Operations.

She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Natchez, the Order of First Families in Mississippi, the Pilgrimage Garden Club, the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society, the Krewe of Phoenix where she currently serves on the Board of Directors. In addition, Ginger serves as the second vice president of the Beau Pre homeowner’s association, and she is a member of the Beau Pre Architectural Committee. She is a volunteer at Natchez Regional Medical Center.

She is married to Tom Schwager and together they have four children, Rebecca Moore of Hattiesburg, Keith Schwager of Natchez, Stephanie Tate of Niceville, Florida, and Linda Herring of Baltimore, Maryland. Ginger enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing the piano, needlework, exercising, and traveling.

Duke Monfort Browne, Keith Schwager

Keith Schwager graduated high school from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. He received his B. S. degree from Mississippi State University and his M. D. from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Keith is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and is the medical director of the Natchez After Hours Clinic.

Keith is a member of St. Mary’s Basilica, Homochitto Valley Medical Society, Santa Claus Committee, American Medical Association, Mississippi State Medical Association, American Academy of Emergency Physicians (fellow),American College of Emergency Physicians (fellow), and Vice President of the Mississippi Chapter.

Keith’s hobby is golf. He is married to Natalie Crow Schwager of Ferriday. They have three daughters, Anna, Rose, and Helen who attend Cathedral.

Duchess Panmure, Jenna Aldridge

Jenna is a graduate of Pleasanton High School in Pleasanton,Texas. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she graduated with a degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Governmental Politics & Women’s Studies.

She is a member of the USM Alumni Association. She is also a member of First Presbyterian Church of Natchez where she teaches Sunday School and has a Wednesday night Bible class. Jenna has been a member of the Krewe of Phoenix since 2003. She is also an active member of the Natchez Food & Wine Festival and the Natchez Opera Festival.

Her hobbies include traveling, art, photography, practicing pilates and yoga.

She and her husband live in downtown Natchez and share five children between them.

Duke Manuel Gayosa De Limos, Charles Yarbrough

Charles Yarbrough, who grew up in Prescott, Arkansas, was a member of the First Methodist Church of Prescott Arkansas for 45 years. He graduated from Prescott High and Centenary College of Shreveport with a BS in Business. He lettered three years in golf. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force and spent five years as an air traffic controller. He worked for his father at the Prescott Motor Co. as salesman, parts manager, and General Manager for twenty-three years. During this time Prescott Motors received nineteen distinguished achievement awards. He was a member of the Kiwanis for twenty-three years and served a term as President. He served on the founding board of Prescott CC, the boards of American Western Life Insurance, Ford Dealers Advertising, and Prescott Chamber of Commerce.

In 1991, Mr. Yarbrough acquired Natchez Ford Lincoln & Mercury. He was owner and general manager until 2006, when his son took over. In Natchez, Mr. Yarbrough has served six years on the Chamber of Commerce board, nine years on the Economic Development board, and is presently serving on the United Way board and Workforce Investment Board. He is a member of Jefferson Street United Methodist Church and Beau Pre Country Club. He has two sons and four grandchildren.

Duchess Marguerite Theresa De Limos, Pamela Wood

Pamela Carpenter Wood received her undergraduate degree at the University of Louisiana @ Monroe and her graduate degree at Alcorn State University. She is a member of the Alcorn Alumni Association and is the Director of Academic Support & Facilities for the ASU-Natchez Campus.

She is a member of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Education Committee, the Adams County Humane Society, the Natchez Festival of Music, Krewe of Phoenix, Krewe of Alpheus, Drama Queens, and Panola Woods Ladies Golf Association.

She loves LSU football and the tigers in general. Her hobbies and interests include golf, reading, and shopping. Pam is married to Gary Wood. They have two children, Alicia and Russ.

Duke of Monmouth, Jeremy Diamond

Jeremy is a graduate of Louisiana State University and Tulane University School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court board and Tulane’s Environmental Law Clinic.

Jeremy relocated to Natchez with his family in August 2004 to work as an associate with the local law firm of Truly, Smith & Latham, PLLC. He volunteers with the Natchez Food & Wine Festival and is a member of the American Bar Association and the Mississippi Bar.

He is married to the former Anne Lemke, a registered nurse, and they have two children, Weston Paul and Ava Elizabeth.

Duchess Eliza Lowe Little, Karri Simpson

Karri Bradley Simpson is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. She is originally from Houston, Texas and lived in Dallas for 15 years before relocating to Natchez two years ago. She was formerly in the Pharmaceutical Industry with Pfizer.

She is a member of Junior Auxilary and Krewe of Phoenix. She is an independent consultant, District Manager, with Arbonne International. She enjoys running, golf, and Oklahoma football.

She is married to Brian Simpson of St. Joseph, Louisiana. They have one son, Wesley, 12 months.

Duke Jefferson Davis, Charlie Speed

Charlie is a graduate of Prentiss Christian School, Pearl River Community College, and the University of Southern Mississippi. He works for Regions Bank as the City President over the River Cities, which includes Natchez, Vicksburg, and Centreville.

He is a board member of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce, a 2007-2008 participant of Leadership Natchez, a board member for the American Heart Association, a Troop leader for the Boy Scouts of America, a member of Rotary International, and a member of the Southern Mississippi Alumni Association.

He enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting, and playing tennis. He is married to the former Noelle Kennedy of Raleigh. They have two children, Hagan in first grade and Brooksie in four year old nursery school at Trinity Episcopal. They attend Jefferson United Methodist.

Duchess Varina Howell Davis, Brandi Lewis

Brandi Bilbo Lewis is an honor graduate of Pascagoula High School, a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Mississippi in Business, and received her juris doctorate degree from Mississippi College School of Law. She is currently employed at Britton & Koontz Bank as a Commercial Loan Officer.

She is currently participating in Leadership Natchez and is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Krewe of Phoenix, and the Mississippi Banker’s Association.

fBrandi is married to Grayson Lewis of Natchez. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, exercising, and traveling.