The Krewe of Janus has announced its 2015 theme, officers and royalty for its annual Mardi Gras celebration. The grand ball will be at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Natchez Convention Center. Charter members are Barbara N. Johnson, Lisa W. Johnson, Valeria Johnson, Pamela B. Plummer and Robert L. Plummer Sr.

The theme for the 2015 Mardi Gras season is “A Motown Review” with a tribute to James Brown.

The Krewe of Janus 2014-2015 officers consist of the following: LaWanda Baskin, president; Gloria Dangerfield, vice-president; Connie Merrick, recording secretary; Fannie Campbell, financial secretary; Barbara N. Johnson, treasurer; Kristy O’Neal, sergeant-at-arms; Wilbur Johnson Sr. and Georganna Berry, members-at-large; and Lisa Johnson, captain.

The Krewe of Janus 2015 royalty is as follows:

King Janus XIV, Keary LaDon Baskin

King Baskin is a native of Houston, but currently resides in Natchez. He is the son of Henry and the late Canary Baskin. He is the youngest of four boys, which include his twin Koary of Houston, Arrocus (King Janus XI) of Natchez and the late Marcus Baskin. Keary is married to Tawania Baskin and has three beautiful children, Cynahmon, Kyla and Jace. Keary believes the greatest gifts you can give your children are the memories you make with them.

Keary is a 1997 graduate of Houston High School. In 2001, he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in computer science from the University of Southern Mississippi. Keary is a member of Zion Hill No. 1 Baptist Church, where he serves as a member of the deacon ministry. His favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:31, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Keary is employed by Enterprise Holding Inc. as branch rental manager. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, woodworking, riding four-wheelers and spending time with his family.

If time and scheduling allow, Keary likes to assist in coaching his daughter’s softball team. 

Queen Janus XIV, Gloria Wright Dangerfield 

Queen Dangerfield is the fifth child born to the late Johnny and Rosie Wright. She graduated from W.O. Boston High School in Lake Charles, La., in 1971. She attended Southern University and Columbia Southern University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

She was married to the late Carl Dangerfield. She is the mother of two daughters, Wynetta Dionne and JerRees D’Juan, and the grandmother of two awesome grandchildren, Nayzja and Zachary.

Dangerfield is a member of St. Mark Baptist Church, where she serves as the minister of music. She is also the choir director for the Miss-Lou Fellowship Choir and a member of the Voices of Hope Choir.

She is an employee of Concordia Parish School Board where she served as the payroll bookkeeper for 18 years and has been the assistant director of business affairs for the last 23 years. She is a member of the Louisiana Association of Business Officials, Louisiana Association of Governmental Officers, Louisiana Association of School Personnel Administrators and Louisiana Association of School Executives.

She is also the bookkeeper and chief financial officer for the Concordia Parish School Employees’ Federal Credit Union.

The mayor of Ferriday selected Dangerfield to serve on the board of directors of the Housing Authority of Ferriday.

Her favorite scripture is Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”

Captain Lisa Johnson

Lisa W. Johnson is a native of Natchez. She is the daughter of Wilbur O. and Barbara Johnson Sr. and the late Mary Helen R. Johnson.

Johnson is a 1982 graduate of North Natchez High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University and her master’s degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge. She is employed by the Natchez-Adams School District as a speech pathologist.

She is an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she is the president of the Holy Family Gospel Choir, serves as an usher, Extra Ordinary Minister, CCD teacher and serves on the pastoral council.

Johnson is a member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Father Morrissey Court No. 9 where serves as treasurer. She is also a member of the Ladies of Grace Hattie R. Marshall/Sis. Edith Brinkley Chapter No. 44 where serves as the faithful navigator.

She performs with the Southern Road to Freedom during the Spring Pilgrimage season. She is president of the Vidalia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Johnson has served on the board of directors for the Mississippi Association of Educators and the Natchez Preservation Commission.

She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and attending Bible study at her church and with her Friday night ladies. She loves to travel, sing and read.

Duke Anthony Clark

Anthony was born and reared in Natchez. He is a graduate of South Natchez High School.

After serving active duty in the U.S. Air Force, he attended Hinds Community College as a drafting and design major. He is employed by the U.S. Parcel Service. He is married to LaToya Clark, and they have two children.

In his spare time, he enjoys reading, traveling and investing in real estate.

Duchess Rochelle Rena Green

Rochelle Rena Green is the daughter of Stella Johnson and the late Rev. Duncan A. Green Jr. and Georgia Green.

She is the mother of two beautiful daughters, Savannah Faith and Leah Fallon.

She has a bachelor of science degree in biology from Jackson State University, a bachelor’s degree in nursing degree from Armstrong State University in Savannah, Ga., and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Green has been a registered nurse for more than 12 years, licensed in Mississippi and Georgia. She is currently employed as the health specialist for the Head Start program at AJFC Community Action Agency Inc.

She is a member of Girl Scouts of America Troop No. 5559 and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Green enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading philosophical literature, watching action, suspense and comedic movies and listening to all genres of music. Her philosophy of life is that everything happens for a reason; every encounter has a purpose for the different pathways of our journey; God is the pilot, and we are His co-pilots.

Duchess Connie Merrick

Connie was born in Natchez. She is the daughter of the late Jessie and Anna Miller and Joyce and the late John “Big Red” Brown. Connie graduated from Biloxi High School.

Currently she is employed with Natchez Community Hospital and Reeve’s Drug Store as a certified pharmacy technician. She is one of eight children and has two of her own, LaRoy and DaMorris Sr. She also has one daughter-in-law, Eugenia, three grandchildren, JaQuan, DaMorris Jr. and Kaydence, three godchildren, Everett Sanders, Kimberly Bell and Earl Gordon Jr.

Connie is an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church, where she serves as 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.

Duke LaRoy Merrick

Born and raised in Natchez, LaRoy Merrick is the son of Connie Merrick and Theodore Merrick and the brother of DaMorris Merrick Sr.

Merrick attended school in the Natchez-Adams School District and is a 2000 graduate of Natchez High School. After high school, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance in August 2004.

He received a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern Mississippi in December 2012.

Merrick is scheduled to graduate from Mississippi College with a specialist in educational leadership in August 2015.

He is currently employed at Jim Hill High School as the international baccalaureate coordinator.

He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and attends Anderson United Methodist Church. Merrick enjoys shopping, reading and spending time with his family and friends. He is also an event artist and has aspirations of obtaining a doctorate degree in education.

Merrick tries to live his life thinking whatever God is putting him through today is preparing him to be greater tomorrow.