Natchez — The Krewe of Janus recently announced its royal court, officers and theme for the 2010 annual Mardi Gras celebration. Charter members of the Krewe of Janus are Barbara N. Johnson, Lisa Johnson, Valeria Johnson, Pamela B. Plummer and, Robert L. Plummer,.

Officers for the 2009-2010 seasons are Lisa Johnson, president, Freddie Woods, vice-president, Shirley Bailey, secretary, Jeanette Wilson, financial secretary, Barbara N. Johnson, treasurer, Myrna Matthews, sergeant-at-arms, Cecelia Thompson, parliamentarian, John Bacon chaplain and Connie Merrick, captain.

The theme for the 2010 Mardi Gras season is “Casino Janus Presents A Night of High Rollers.”

King Janus 2010

Wilbur O. Johnson Sr.,

Johnson is a native of Natchez. He is the son of the late Alexander and Esther Johnson. He and his wife Barbara have four children, Wilbur Jr., Lisa, Valeria and Andrea, and four grandchildren, Halle, Wilbur III (Trey), Christopher and Jordan.

Wilbur attended St. Francis High School in Natchez. He received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Grambling State University and his master’s degree from Tuskegee Institute. He has taught in Madison and Concordia Parish Schools as well as at Concordia Vo-Tech Institute.

He has worked as a tutorial instructor in the Natchez-Adams County School System and is presently working with the Mississippi State Department of Education Innovative Services as a member of their school support team staff. He is also vice president of the Adams County Port Commission.

Additionally, he is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he serves in many capacities. He is an active member of the NAACP, 329th Army Reunion Group, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., The Knights of Peter Claver Inc., and the Santa Claus Committee.

Queen Janus 2010

Barbara N. Johnson

Johnson is a native of Ferriday, Louisiana. She is the daughter of the late Leon and Mary Tennessee. She is married to Wilbur O. Johnson Sr. and they have four children, Andrea, Wilbur Jr., Lisa and Valeria; four grandchildren, Jordan, Wilbur III (Trey), Halle and Christopher.

Barbara is a graduate of Ferriday High School and she attended Merritt College in Oakland, Calif.

Barbara is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she serves in many capacities. She is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, where she serves as the financial secretary. She is the Faithful Navigator of the H.R. Marshall/Sis. E. Brinkley Chapter No. 44 of the Knights of Peter Claver Fourth Degree Ladies of Grace Division.

She is on the board of directors for the Natchez-Adams County Senior Citizen Center where she serves as treasurer. She has served as treasurer for the Krewe of Janus for nine years. Barbara is employed by Concordia Bank and Trust Company in Natchez.

Her hobbies include traveling, floral designs and interior decorating.

Duchess Glenda “Fay” Ferguson

Ferguson is the daughter of John Bacon and the late Sadie Bacon and the late J.B. Matthews. She has three children, Courtney, Percy and Bria, and grandchildren, Xavier and CamRon, four sisters and three brothers.

Fay is a graduate of South Natchez High School, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, and Delta Career College. She is currently employed by Mississippi Department of Health. Fay is a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church and the Queen Ester Chapter Order of the Eastern Star.

Her hobbies include cooking, playing games and spending time with her family and friends.

Duchess Nickie Smoot

Smooth is employed at Natchez Regional Medical Center as a patient account representative. She has one son, Desmond, a junior at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., and one god daughter, India Robinson. Her finance is Ricky Marshall of Natchez.

Nikki is a graduate of North Natchez High School and Copiah-Lincoln Community College. She is a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church where she serves as church consultant and Sunday school teacher. She is also a member of Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi and has been a Girl Scout leader for eight years.

Her hobbies and interests include reading, helping others, working with children and watching her son play football.

Captain Connie Merrick

Merrick was born in Natchez to Jessie and the late Anna Miller and Joyce Brown and the late John Brown. Connie, along with her seven siblings moved to Biloxi at an early age.

She graduated from Biloxi High School where she participated with the girl’s basketball team. After graduation, Connie returned to Natchez and was employed with Congressman Mike Parker, K-Mart Pharmacy and is currently employed with Natchez Community Hospital pharmacy team.

She has two children, LaRoy and DaMorris, and two grandchildren, Jaquan and DaMorris Jr. and one daughter-in-law Eugenia.

Connie is an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she serves as a lector and an usher. Her hobbies are shopping, reading, talking to others, spending time with family and friends, especially her Sunday Dinner Ride or Die Crew. Connie feels God has truly blessed her and she is always willing to help others.

Duchess Jenette Wilson

Wilson is a native of Brookhaven and is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. David McIntyre.

She attended Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Vicksburg and school in Brookhaven. She is a graduate of Jackson State University, and did further studies at the University of Southern Mississippi and Auburn University.

She received certification as a secondary mathematics educator, and is a retired educator of the Natchez Public School System.

Jenette is married to Charles Wilson, and is the mother of two daughters, Sharonne “Toya” Morris and Nicole “Nikki” Mars. She has five granddaughters, two son-in-laws and several godchildren.

Jenette is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she serves as a Eucharistic Minister. She is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver, Ladies Auxiliary Father Morrissey Court #9,

The Ladies of Grace Division, H.R. Marshall/Sis. E. Brinkley Chapter #44, and the Holy Family Catholic Church Gospel Choir. She holds life membership with The National Council of Negro Women, Natchez Section, Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi, Southwest Unit, and Jackson State University National and Local Alumni Association and a member of The Links, Inc.

Her hobbies are helping others, reading, sewing, singing, traveling and maintaining family unity.

Duke Charles Randolph Wilson

Wilson is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson, Sr. He is a native of Brookhaven, MS and a graduate of the former Alexander High School.

Charles is married to Jenette McIntyre Wilson and is the father of two daughters Sharonne “Toya” Morris and Nicole “Nikki” Mars. He also has five granddaughters and two son-in-laws.

Charles is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Father Peter Council #9, Fathers E. Harris/R. Phipps Assembly #44 and an usher.

Charles served in the United States Army with the 101st Airborne Division (The Screaming Eagle) in Vietnam. He recently retired from the United Mississippi Bank.

His hobbies are watching television, working on the computer, working on his antique cars, and traveling.

Duchess Valeria Johnson

Johnson is the mother of Christopher Lloyd Johnson. She is the daughter of Wilbur and Barbara Johnson and the late Mary Helen Johnson.

Valeria earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Grambling State University, master’s in elementary education from Alcorn State University, and a degree ispsychometrics from William Carey University.

She is employed by the Natchez-Adams School District as a school psychometrist.

Valeria is a charter member of the Krewe of Janus. She is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she sings with the gospel choir and directs the youth choir. She is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and assistant secretary of the PTA at Frazier Primary School.

Valeria hobbies are traveling, working with the Boys Scouts and children, and spending time with her son and family.

Duchess Edith Lewis

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

Educated in West Virginia, she attended the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield, Mass., and graduated from the Pratt S. Whitney School of Inspection in Hartford, Conn. She is a retired aircraft inspector.

She is a past Grand Daughter Ruler of IPBOE of World and a member of Lizzie Shumaker Temple #1052, and Company Clerk of Jonathan Grennell Anter Guard Company. She is also a past president of the Krewe, Queen Janus 2004, and 2009 Captain of the Krewe.

Edith’s hobbies include shopping and spending time with family and friends.

Duke Freddy Lewis

Lewis was born in Hamburg, and is the son of Asamore Lewis. He has five sons, six grand-children, three sisters, and three brothers.

Freddy was educated in the Franklin School Systems. He attended Alcorn State University and the University of Maryland, majoring in business administration.

Freddy is a veteran of the U. S. Air Force and the Vietnam War where he received an honorable discharge. Freddy retired after 27 years of service as postmaster from the U. S. Postal Service.

Freddy is King Janus 2004, and 2009 Captain Consort. He is also a member of Wharlest Jackson Elks Lodge, and Commander of Jonathan Grennell Anter Guard Company. Freddy’s hobby is fishing.