Natchez — The Krewe of Mer’s 17th annual Grand Mardi Gras Ball will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Natchez Convention Center. The event is invitation only, ladies must wear a floor length gown and men must wear a tuxedo. Krewe of Mer’s 2010 theme is “An Evening In Paris.” Mer’s royal court for their 2010 annual Mardi Gras celebration is as follows:

King Ernest “Tony” Fields

Mr. Fields is a native of Natchez. He is the son of Ellen Earls and the late Ernest “Buster” Fields, Jr. He is engaged to Eckwanise Butler of Natchez. They have three children Aniyah, Samya and Ernest “Lil Tony” Fields IV.

Tony is a 1994 graduate of Natchez High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in Music Education from Alcorn State University and a masters in educational leadership from Jackson State University.

Tony is a member of Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church where he serves as minister of music. He is also the South Mississippi Conference Music director for the eighth district of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Tony is a member of the Alcorn State University Alumni Association. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and serves the Natchez Alumni Chapter as exchequer.

Tony serves his community as alderman of ward 4 of the City of Natchez. He is often called upon to use his talents in music and public speaking. Tony is employed by the Natchez-Adams School District as assistant principal at Frazier Primary School.

His hobbies include having fun with family and friends, surfing the internet, golf and collecting everything Superman.

Queen Adrell Wright

Mrs. Wright was born in Adams County and is the daughter of Ella Mae Matthews and the late Foster M. Gorden.

She is married to Clifford D. Wright Sr. and together they have seven children, Latonya, Lakeisha, Nakeisha, NaQuithia, Clifford Jr. Datarrius and Cameron.

She attended Adams County Public School for three years. During her senior year she participated in play production.

Adrell is employed at Glenburney Rehab and Healthcare as the certified dietary manager.

She is furthering her education and recently completed a course from North Dakota on food etiquette.

Adrell is a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. She works diligently yearly on the Alzheimer’s Association, the Heart Association and her prize interest is the American Cancer Society Relay for Life up all night with a candle burning hoping for a cure.

Captain Margaret January

Mrs. January is married to Andrew January and is the daughter of Viola Bennett and the late Walter Bennett.

She is the mother of Andrea Bonds and Marques January. Andrea is married to Richard Bonds, and Marques is married to Linda January. She is the proud grandmother of three, Alexes, Cody and Tyler.

Margaret attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College, University Southern Mississippi and is currently attending the University of Phoenix. She is a 1994 graduate of Leadership Natchez.

She is currently employed with the Natchez-Adams School District.

Margaret is a member of United Baptist Church where she serves as secretary.

She is the founder and a charter member of the Krewe of Mer where she served as the 1994 queen, president and captain.

Her hobbies include shopping, traveling and spending time with her family

Duchess Ashley Latrece Henry

Ms. Henry is the daughter of Plevis and Doris H. Brown and the mother of one son, Jordan Anthony.

She is a graduate of St. Joseph Catholic High School in Greenville and Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg and is currently attending Alcorn State University.

Ashley is employed at United Mississippi Bank in the loan department. She is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church.

Ashley enjoys family gatherings, traveling and spending plenty of time with her son.

Duchess Tangela Sullivan

Mrs. Sullivan is the wife of Marcus Sullivan and they have two children. She is employed by Adams County Correctional Facility as a records specialist. She is a member of Greater New Zion Baptist Church where she sings in the choir. Sullivan is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.

She graduated from Natchez High School and also attends Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Her hobbies include reading, shopping and spending time with family and friends.

Duchess Neashion Williams

Ms. Williams is engaged to Anthony Davis and the mother of one son, Gabriel Malik Davis.

Neashion attended Alcorn State University where she received her bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master of science degree in secondary education with honors. She is currently employed by Tensas Parish School District at Tensas High School in St. Joseph, La.

Neashion is a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church. She is also a member of Natchez Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Her hobbies include talking on the telephone, spending time with family and friends, talking on the telephone, shopping and traveling, but most of all talking on the telephone.

Duke Andrew January

Mr. January is married to Margaret January and is the son of Emma January and the late Andrew January Sr.

He is the mother of Andrea Bonds and Marques January. Andrea is married to Richard Bonds, and Marques is married to Linda January. He is the proud grandfather of three, Alexes, Cody and Tyler.

Andrew is currently employed with Coca-Cola Enterprises as a cooler service technician.

He enjoys building projects, computers, traveling, spending time with his family and watching the New Orleans Saints.

Duke Jerrold Lyles

Mr. Lyles is the son of Mary Lucas and is engaged to LaKeita Lewis. He is the father of three, Destiny, ZaNya and Jerrold, Jr.

Jerrold is currently employed with the Natchez Grand Hotel. He is a graduate of Natchez High School and Alcorn State University.

Jerrold is a member of the Wharlest Jackson Elks Lodge, Elijah Lodge No. 1 AF&AM, Deborah Chapter No. 5, Alkoran Temple No. 35, Hiram Grand Consistory and Past Master Council.

He enjoys sports, spending time with his children and traveling.