The Krewe of Janus announces its royal court, officers, and theme for the 2008 annual Mardi Gras celebration. Charter members of the Krewe of Janus are Robert Plummer, Pamela B. Plummer, Barbara N. Johnson, Lisa Johnson and Valeria Johnson.

Officers for the 2007-2008 season are Edith Lewis, president; Freddie Woods, vice-president; Lisa Johnson, secretary; Geraldine Faniel, financial secretary; Barbara N. Johnson, treasurer; Frances Bailey, sergeant-at-arms; Henry “Doc” Woods, parliamentarian; and Pamela B. Plummer, captain.

The theme for the 2008 Mardi Gras season is “A Blast from the Past.” The Royal Court will be comprised of past kings, queens and captains as well as King and Queen Janus VII. The Royal Court is as follows:

Carl Knight Sr. is King Janus VII. Carl is the son of Dorothy Knight and the late Willie Knight Jr. His grandparents are the late Willie Knight Sr. and Rosie Lee Dunmore. He is the proud father of two wonderful children, Carl Knight, (C.J.) Jr. and Khyra Rene Knight.

Carl is a graduate of North Natchez High School, and a member of New Zion No. 1 Baptist Church. He is employed with Callon Petroleum Company, and his hobbies include officiating baseball games, playing basketball, and spending time with his children.

Thelma Barnes Chatman is Queen Janus VII. She is a native of Natchez, and the daughter of Willie and Juanita King and Dan Whittley and stepdaughter of Lula Whittley. Thelma is the parent of three children, William Keith Barnes (Peanut), Jessica Shakeyla Chatman and Albert (AJ) Burnell Chatman Jr., and one granddaughter, Keyanna Ja’nasia Barnes.

Thelma is a graduate of South Natchez High School. She received a bachelor of science degree from Alcorn State University and is currently continuing her studies in the field of guidance. Thelma is employed at Alcorn State University in the Office of Fiscal Affairs as assistant purchasing agent. She is member of the Mississippi Association of Government Purchasing Agents, a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church where serves on the usher board. She is also a member of the Queen Esther Chapter No. 1 of the Eastern Star. Her hobbies include horseback riding, gardening, reading and spending time with her family and friends. Attendants for Queen Janus are: KeVantria King and Ikeecia Lanell King.

Henry “Doc” Woods, King Janus I, is a retired mathematics teacher from the Natchez School System and a 2003 National Championship Track Coach. He is also past president of USAT & F Southern Association, which encompass the states of Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee. Doc is a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University. He was inducted into the MVSU Hall of Fame in football and track in 1984, the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame in 2001; State Track Coach which includes 19 states, 105 districts, 643 meets with 82 percent winners. He is a sprint developer in all sports and director of the Natchez Track Club. During Doc’s illustrious career he has coached 146 elite athletes and is a master track official. During King Janus I reign, “Under the Big Top” was the Krewe’s theme.

Freddy Lewis, King Janus III, was born in Hamburg, and is the second son of Asamore Lewis. Married to Edith S. Lewis, he has five sons, six grandchildren, three sisters and three brothers,

Lewis was educated in the Franklin School System. He attended Alcorn State University and the University of Maryland, majoring in business administration. Lewis is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the Vietnam War with an honorable discharge. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in the position of postmaster after 27 years of service.

Lewis is a member of St. Luke Lodge No 17 of Masons, V.F.W. Post No. 6189, American Legion Post No. 430 and the Lewis Family Birthday Club, where he serves as president.

He is a member of Bethlehem Baptist church of Hamburg where he serves as a Deacon.

Edith Lewis, Queen Janus III, was born in Elkins, W. VA., and the only child of Alfred and Anna Smith. The wife of Freddy Lewis, she has five children, Kim Wimbush, Donald Blake, Jr., Rosalee Walker, Kevin Blake, and Alfred Blake.

Educated in the West Virginia school system, she attended the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield, MA, and graduated from the Pratt S. Whitney School of Inspection in Hartford, Conn.

Mrs. Lewis is a retired aircraft inspector and is currently employed as a special needs care giver. She is a member of Natchez Museum of Afro-American History and Culture, National Council of Negro Women, Lizzie Shumaker Temple No. 1052 of Elks and the Lewis Birthday Club. She is president of the Krewe of Janus, a member of the Senior Citizen Volunteers of American, the local directress of the Wharlest Jackson Elks Lodge Youth Department, and a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church of Hamburg.

During King and Queen Janus III reign, “Mardi Gras Around the World” was the Krewe’s theme.

Zachary Robinson, King Janus IV, is a native of Natchez and is married to Kizzy H. Robinson. He is the son of Gwendolyn Robinson and Bill Hunt, Jr. His grandparents are Dorothy Robinson and Hattie Hunt.

King Zachary is a graduate of Cathedral High School and attends Alcorn State University. He is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and he sings with the Southern Road to Freedom Choir.

King Zachary is also a member of M.W.W.T.M. Grant Jr. Grand Lodge and Masonic Lodge of Natchez. His hobbies include playing basketball, spending time with friends and family, jogging and talking on the phone.

Kimberley Ann Allen, Queen Janus IV, is a native of Natchez and the daughter of Louise Allen and the late Marion Riley, Sr. She has one daughter Kiara Danielle.

Allen is a 1988 graduate of North Natchez High and a 1994 graduate of Alcorn State University. She is employed as a police officer for the City of Natchez and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. She is a Girl Scout troop leader, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Natchez Alumnae Chapter, and a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church.

During King and Queen Janus IV reign, “Music Across the Decades” was the Krewe’s theme.

Barry Louis Norfleet, King Janus V, is a native of Clarksville, TN, but currently resides in Atlanta, GA. He is married to Vanessa Dottery-Norfleet and they have three children, Kierra, Anthony, and Arianna. Norfleet attended Hopkinsville Community College where he received his Associate Degree in Computer Programming. He is employed at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta as a certified surgical instrument tech. Norfleet has 22 years of service at Gateway Healthcare System as a certified sterile processing tech, and he is a 12-year veteran of the Tennessee National Guard where he served as a fuel and electric repairman. Barry is a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN. He is also a member of the American Legion Post #143, as well as a member of various Masonic organizations. He is a Prince Hall Arch Mason and a member of Hella Temple #105 Noble of the Mystic Shrine of Nashville, TN. During his administration at Warfield Lodge, he was instrumental in starting the Hampton-Trice Council #14 Knights of the Pythagoras, which mentor to 9-12 year old. Northfleet’s hobbies include spending time with his family, and tailgating with co-workers at the Atlanta Falcon games. However, he is a true Pittsburg Steelers fan.

Tonya P. Galtney, Queen Janus V, is a native of Natchez, but currently resides in Madison, MS. She is the daughter of Robert and Pamela Plummer and she has one daughter, Sydney Nicole. Galtney attended North Natchez High School and Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge, LA, where she received her BSN degree in nursing. She is a member of the Southern University Alumni Association. Galtney is employed at G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery Veterans Hospitals in Jackson, MS as Nurse Manager in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. She is a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Jackson, MS. Tonya’s hobbies include teaching children’s Bible class, traveling and spending time with her family.

During King and Queen Janus V reign, “SWAC Attack” was the Krewe’s theme.

Melita Gibbs, Queen Janus VI, is a graduate of Natchez High School. She continued her education at Alcorn State University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. She is currently employed at Alcorn State University with the English and Foreign Language Department as the Writing Center Coordinator. She is the daughter of Mary Ellen Singleton and the stepdaughter of Milton E. Singleton. Melita enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. During Queen Janus VI reign, “Janus Touring Africa” was the Krewe’s theme.

Lisa W. Johnson, Captain 2000-2002, holds the distinguish honor of being the first Captain of the Krewe of Janus. Lisa is the daughter of Wilbur and Barbara Johnson and the late Mary Helen Johnson. She received her B. S. degree from Grambling State University and a Master’s degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. She is a speech pathologist employed by the Natchez Adams School District. Lisa attends Holy Family Catholic Church, is president of the Holy Family Catholic Church Gospel Choir and A Southern Road to Freedom Choir. She is a charting member and Faithful Captain of the Hattie R. Marshall and Sister Edith Brinkley Ladies of Grace Chapter #44, Grand Lady of the Knights of Peter Claver Father Morrissey Court #9, a Eucharistic Minister, vice-president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Vidalia Alumnae Chapter, a charter member of the Krewe of Janus and serves as recording secretary, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Association of Educators. Lisa’s hobbies include singing, reading, and traveling.

Wilbur O. Johnson served as Captain for the 2003 Mardi Gras’ season with his wife Barbara serving as his esteemed Captain’s Consort. Wilbur O. Johnson is a native of Natchez and the son of the late Alexander and Ester Johnson. He has four children, Wilbur, Jr., Lisa, Valeria, Andrea, and four grandchildren, Halle, Wilbur (Trey) III, Christopher and Jordan.

Johnson attended St. Francis High School, received a B.S. Degree in Mathematics from Grambling State University, and a Masters from Tuskegee Institute. In addition, he has more than thirty hours from a number of other institutions.

Johnson taught school in Madison Parish (Tallulah), Concordia Vo-Tech Institute, and is presently employed by the Natchez-Adams School District as a Tutorial Instructor.

He served on the Natchez-Adams County Development Authority Board, AJFC Board of Directors, Holy Family School board, President and founder of The Ujamaa Investment Club of Natchez. He presently serves as an Adams County Port Commissioner as well as on numerous other committees. Johnson is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, where he services on the Parish Council and the Parish Financial Committee. He is Chairman of the Holy Family Development Fund, a Eucharistic Minister, and Coordinator of Bible study, and services in many other capacities.

He is an inactive member of L. R. Paige Masonic Lodge #20 and Wharlest Jackson Lodge #165, and an active member in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., NAACP, and the Knights of Peter Claver.

His hobbies are traveling, scripture reading, working on the computer and watching sports.

46.JPG – 2003 Captain’s Consort – Barbara N. Johnson is a native of Ferriday, LA. She is the daughter of the late Leon and Mary Tennessee. She is a graduate of Ferriday High School and she attended Merritt Junior College in Oakland, CA. She is married to Wilbur O. Johnson, Sr. and they have four children: Andrea, Wilbur, Jr., Lisa and Valeria; four grandchildren, Jordan, Halle, Wilbur (Trey), III, and Christopher.

Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church where she serves in many capacities. She sings in the church choir and the Southern Road to Freedom Choir. She is a member of the Sister-to-Sister Group, the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, where she serves as financial secretary. She is the Faithful Navigator of the H. R. Marshall/Sis. E. Brinkley Chapter #44 of the Knights of Peter Claver Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace Division. She is a charter member of the Krewe of Janus and has served as treasurer of the Krewe since its formation. Barbara is employed by Concordia Bank and Trust Company, Natchez, MS. Her hobbies include traveling, floral designs and interior decorating.

67.JPG – Pamela Baldwin Plummer has served the Krewe of Janus as Captain from 2004-2008. She is a charter member and former secretary of the Krewe. Pamela is a native of Natchez and the daughter of the late Jimmy and Frances Baldwin. She is married to Robert L. Plummer, Sr., and they have four children: Tonya Galtney, Robert and Darren Plummer, and Tiffany Williams, and two grandchildren—Sydney and Noah. Pamela attended South Natchez High School and Alcorn State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. She is also a candidate to receive a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from The University of Southern Mississippi in May 2008. Pamela is employed as Director of the Harriette Person Memorial Library in Port Gibson, Mississippi. She is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, secretary of the HFCC Choir, a member of the Southern Road to Freedom Choir, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., American Library Association, Mississippi Library Association, and the Library & Information Science Students’ Association. Pamela’s hobbies are sewing, traveling, watching football (Pittsburgh Steelers), and spending time with family and friends.