Special to the Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Krewe of Janus has announced its royal court, officers and theme for the 2012 annual Mardi Gras celebration.

The theme for the 2012 Mardi Gras season is “A Night at the Grand Ole Opry.”

The grand ball will be at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Natchez Convention Center.

Officers for the 2011-2012 season are Pamela B. Plummer, president, Georganna Berry, vice-president, Frances Bailey, recording secretary, Fannie Campbell, financial secretary, Barbara N. Johnson, treasurer, Gloria Dangerfield, sergeant-at-arms, Nikki Smoot, parliamentarian, Cecelia Thompson and Freddie Woods, members-at-large, Valeria Johnson and Robert L. Plummer Sr., executive board members-at-large, and Connie Merrick, captain.

Charter members are Barbara N. Johnson, Lisa W. Johnson, Valeria Johnson, Pamela B. Plummer and Robert L. Plummer Sr.

The royal court is as follows:

Queen Janus XI, LaWanda Wallace Baskin

Queen Janus XI, LaWanda Wallace Baskin was born in New Orleans, the youngest of four children.

She is the daughter of Leonard Wallace Sr. and the late Olegrette King Wallace.

LaWanda is married to Arrocus, and they have three children, Morgan, Madison and Arrocus Jr. “AJ.”

She has two brothers, Leonard Jr. and Norris, and one sister, Regina.

At an early age LaWanda’s family moved to Natchez.

LaWanda graduated from Natchez High School in 1993 and received a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1997.

She is currently pursuing a master’s of science degree in nursing-family nurse practitioner with an anticipated graduation date of May 2012.

She is a member Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, Eliza Pillars Professional Nursing Organization, Zeta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Girl Scouts of America — where she mentors young girls and is an assistant troop leader.

LaWanda is a member of St. Mark Baptist Church in Clayton.

She is employed by Natchez Community Hospital as a registered nurse. She is also an American Heart Association First Aid/CPR instructor.

LaWanda enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her family.

King Janus XI, Arrocus Andrea Baskin Sr.

King Janus XI, Arrocus Andrea Baskin Sr. was born in Houston to Henry and the late Canary Baskin.

He is the second of four boys with the late Marcus being the oldest, Koary and Keary being the youngest.

Arrocus is married to LaWanda, and together they have three children, Morgan Celeste, Madison Canary and Arrocus Jr. “AJ.”

Arrocus graduated from Houston High School in 1993 and the University of Southern Mississippi in 1997 with a bachelor’s of science degree in biology and a minor in chemistry.

While at USM Arrocus was also on the track team.

After college he was employed by the City of Houston as a wastewater operator and later by Tyson Foods Inc. as a wastewater supervisor.

He is currently employed at Entergy’s River Bend Station in St. Francisville, La., as a senior nuclear equipment operator.

Arrocus’ hobbies include hunting, fishing, riding horses, enjoying the outdoors and country life.

Arrocus believes that no matter how hard things may seem, all things are achievable through Christ.

Captain Connie Merrick

Captain Connie Merrick was born in Natchez, the daughter of Jessie and the late Anna Miller and Joyce and the late John “Big Red” Brown.

Connie graduated from Biloxi High School. She is currently employed with Natchez Community Hospital as a certified pharmacy technician.

She is one of eight children and has two children, LaRoy and DaMorris Merrick Sr. Connie also has one daughter-in-law, Eugenia, three grandchildren, JaQuan, DaMorris, Jr. and Kaydence Merrick, three godchildren, Everett Sanders, Kimberly Bell and Earl Gordon Jr.

Connie is an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she serves as a lector and an usher.

In her spare time she enjoys shopping, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Connie lives her life knowing God has truly blessed her and because of that she is always willing to help others.

Duchess Shirley Bailey

Duchess Shirley Bailey was born and raised in Natchez. She graduated from Natchez High School and attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where she majored in medical billing and coding.

Shirley also attended Alcorn State University, where she majored in elementary education.

She is employed as regional general manager of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Shirley is a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church and is active in the Girl Scouts of America, 4-H On The Move, Future Business Leaders of America and Queen of Easter Order of the Eastern Star.

Shirley is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mitchell. She is the mother Chassidy, Henry, Katara and India.

She enjoys playing tennis, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Duchess Frances Thompson Bailey

Duchess Frances Thompson Bailey is the daughter of Lula Mae Thompson and the late Albert Thompson.

She is married to Charles Bailey and is the mother of four children Tony, Ursula (Debi), Teri and Kendra. She also has nine grandchildren.

Frances graduated from Sadie V. Thompson in 1969 and Alcorn State University in 1974.

She retired from Natchez Water Works but currently works part time at AJFC.

She has been involved in Girl Scouts for the past 35 years and serves as neighborhood chairperson.

Frances is also the chairperson for Adams County Democratic Executive Committee and the Worthy Matron of Queen Esther No. 1 O.E.S. She is a member of Adah Grand Chapter, for which she serves in many positions, of Pinkie Jackson Amaranth Court, of Daughter of Sphinx Al-Koran Ct No. 1, of Heroine of Jericho and of the L. E. Spencer Administrative Council.

She is a board member for United Way of the Miss-Lou and of the Alcorn State University Alumni Association. She is a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church, where she sings in the choir and a member of the Willing Workers Ministry.

Frances was a chosen as an Unsung Hero by The Natchez Democrat in 2007. She was also recipient of the Martin Luther King Award in 2009.

Her motto is “Through God all things are possible.”

Duchess Georganna W. Berry

Duchess Georganna W. Berry was born in Gilbert, La., and is the oldest of four children and the mother of two, Trena and William. She has three grandchildren, Roderick, Tionna and Layla.

Georganna has worked in the banking industry for 25 years and attended several schools of business for banking.

She received her bachelor’s of arts degree from Alcorn State University in 2002.

Georganna taught school in Tensas Parish, was employed with LaSalle Community Action as step facilitator and educator trainer and the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center. She is currently employed as the housing program coordinator for the City of Vidalia.

Georganna is a member of Triumph Baptist Church and is active in her community.

She is choir director and musician for several churches, a member of Heroines of Jericho and a member of the Concordia Chamber Board.

Georganna’s life-long dream is to open her business “Step Into the Future,” which will be geared toward assisting young men and women in obtaining their high school diploma and pursing their dreams.

Barbara White-Ware Crenshaw

Barbara White-Ware Crenshaw was born in Natchez.

She attended Natchez public schools, Alcorn State University, University of Southern Mississippi in Natchez and Hattiesburg, Northeast State University in Monroe, La., Northwest State University in Natchitoches, La., and Southern University in Baton Rouge.

She earned bachelor’s of science degree in education, a master’s degree in education and more than 60-plus graduate hours in administration, computer science and early childhood education.

She currently works as executive director of the Prince Street Neighborhood Project, Inc. in Natchez.

Barbara is a member of the Bright Star Baptist Church in Natchez, where she serves as the financial secretary.

She is a member of several social organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Natchez Chapter of the Links, Inc., where she has served in several offices and serves as president.

Barbara loves working with children and loves spoiling her seven grandchildren.

She is the proud mother of three sons, Edwin, Frederick and James.