The Krewe of Mer announces its royal court, officers, and theme, “Coming to America,” for the 2008 annual Mardi Gras celebration.

King Linton Fitzgerald

Linton Fitzgerald III is the father of two children, Linton Daqwan Fitzgerald and Jaleya. He is employed with Bouchard Transportation AB Deckhand/Lead Safety Tech. Linton is a member of Richland Missionary Baptist Church. He is a 1996 graduate of Natchez High School, and a 2006 graduate of Young’s Memorial Seaman School. He is a member of the Surgeon Masonic Lodge No. 304 of Church Hill and YPIA Society of Church Hill. His hobbies includes watching sports, entertaining guests and spending time with family and friends.

Queen Jarita Frazier King

Jarita is the wife of Roderick D. King and they have three children, Jakerria, Gabrielle and Senia. She is employed as a surgical technology intern student employer at Natchez Regional Medical Center. She is also employed by Natchez-Adams School District as a substitute teacher. Jarita is a member of Richland Missionary Baptist Church. She is a 1995 graduate of Natchez High School and attends Virginia College of Jackson where she is working to obtain a degree in surgical technology. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University with an associate’s degree in physical education. Jarita is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Edna Anderson Lodge No. 11 Society of Church Hill. Her hobbies include swimming, talking with family and friends and dancing.

Captain Janet Green

Janet is married to Edward R. Green III, and is the mother of three daughters, Tiffany, Tamara and Candace. She has two grandchildren, Landon and Brooklynn. Janet has been actively involved with the Krewe of Mer since its charter in 1993. She has served as skit chairperson for several years. She served on the royal court as queen in 1995. Janet is a retired educator in the Natchez-Adams Public School System. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Alcorn State University. She did further study at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of St. Mark No. 2 Missionary Baptist Church.

Consort Edward R. Green

Edward is married to Janet F. Green, and they have three daughters, Tiffany, Tamara and Candace. He has two grandchildren, named Landon and Brooklynn. He has been actively involved in the Krewe of Mer since its charter in 1993, where serves as decorating chairperson. He served on the Royal Court as King in 1995. Edward is a retired educator from Natchez-Adams Public School System and is currently employed at Vidalia High School where he teachers Industrial Arts. He is a member of St. Mark No. 2 Missionary Baptist Church.

Duchess Doris Henry Brown

Doris is married to Plevis Brown, and they have one daughter, Ashley Henry and grandson, Jordan. She is an eighth grade English teacher at Vidalia Junior High School. Doris is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. She graduated cum laude from Mississippi Valley State University and University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of the Lizzie Shumaker Temple Elks Lodge; Eta Phi Beta Sorority; Louisiana Association of Educators and the National Council of Educators Association. Her hobbies includes reading, traveling, getting together with family and friends; and spending time with the “apple of her eye,” grandson, Jordan.

Duchess Linda McMurtry

Linda is an administrative assistant at Vidalia High School and is a member of Union Baptist Church. Her children are Alexander, Kenric and LaShonda. Her grandchildren are Kerany, Ja’Kel, and KayLynn. Linda received her Bachelor of Science Degree and Administrative Certification from Alcorn State University. She received her Masters of Education from Southern University in Baton Rouge, and did further study at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of Silver Leaf Chapter No. 168 O68, NAPAC, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, is a volunteer at the Natchez Stewpot and vice president of the Senior Choir (REPM-Retired Employees-Public & Municipal of Mississippi). She is also a member of Leadership Natchez. Her hobbies includes reading, singing and home decorating.

Duchess Bonita Reed

Bonita is married to the late Oscar K. Reed. They have two sons, Lance and Marcus, and two grandchildren, Payton and Marlyn. They also have one daughter-in-law, Cheryl. She is a retired educator from Natchez-Adams Public School District. Her membership is with Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Jackson State University and her Master’s Degree from Southern University. She did further study at Macalester College in Minnesota. She is a mebmer of the Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi, Jackson State University National Alumni Association, National Council of Negro Women, and Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers, Inc. Her hobbies includes swimming and surfing the net.

DUKE CHARLES A. JAMES

Charles is married to Jacqueline James. They have two children, Sybil, and Eric. He is a retired computer specialist from New Orleans, LA where he worked for 35 years at the USDA National Finance Center. His religious affiliation is Baptist. He graduated from Louisiana State University (University of New Orleans) and Southern University at New Orleans where he majored in Business Administration. He is a member of the Focus Softwear User Group, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Paralyzed Veterans of America Combined Federal Campaign Loaned Executive. His hobbies includes working with personal computers, solving crossword puzzles, gardening, home improvement, and doing maintenance.

DUKE RALPH JENNINGS

Ralph is married to Linda Jennings. They have five children, Ralph II, Reginald, Reginald, Elliott and Kimberly. He is a retired chemist and is a member of Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church. He graduated from Natchez Public Schools and received his Bachelor of Science Degree at Southern University and Beyond Masters from Michigan State University. He did further study in theoretical chemistry at Atlanta University. He is a member of the Scout Masters of America, American Chemical Society, Society of Applied Spectroscopy, Stringer Grand Lodge PHA, IBPOE of W Post Exalted Rulers Councils (James E. Kelly). His hobbies are studying, reading, playing tennis, hunting and fishing.