Special to the Democrat

The Krewe of Janus will celebrate the Mardi Gras season with its 15th annual grand ball Saturday at the Natchez Convention Center.

The theme for the Krewe of Janus is “A cruise with the Krewe of Janus.” Entertainment will be provided by “High Efficiency,” a band from Jackson.

The event is by invitation only.

King George Elliot Parker Jr.

King George Elliot Parker Jr. was born in Natchez and raised in Ferriday.

He is the son of the late George Elliot Parker Sr., and Debra Johnson-McGee. He has two sisters, Katina Watts and Alisha Parker, and one brother Jeremy Parker. George has four adorable children Aniya, George III, Jordan and Aiden, who keep him busy and full of life.

George is a 2000 honor graduate of Ferriday High School. In 2004, he received his bachelor of science degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is currently completing coursework for an associate of arts degree as a human resources management specialist from Bryant and Stratton College with an anticipated graduation date of December 2016.

George is a veteran of the Armed Forces serving 12 1/2 years in the U.S. Army, where he was a human resources manager, water treatment specialist instructor and a recruiter.

He is also a member of the Greater Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, pastored by the Rev. Raymond T. Riley Sr.

George is employed by the Concordia Parish School Board as an instructional assistant in elementary education.

He is also active in the community as a member of the Ferriday High School Athletic Association and holds the position as a young professional leader for the Concordia Parish Credit Union Association.

His hobbies include going to church, traveling, watching and attending sporting events and spending time with his family.

Queen Shanta Matthews

Queen Shanta Matthews is a native of Natchez. She is currently living in Baton Rouge. She is the daughter of Calvin Matthews and Margaret Duncan-Matthews. She is the oldest of two siblings.

Shanta is the mother of two beautiful daughters, Zamia and Zoey Washington. She has one brother, Derek Matthews, and two godbrothers, Vincent Carter Jr. and Jayceon “Duece” Montgomery.

Shanta is a 2004 graduate of Natchez High School. She attended Jefferson County Technical School where she received her certification in phlebotomy. She is currently enrolled at Baton Rouge Community College majoring in business management.

Shanta is a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Natchez. She is currently employed with Family Dollar in Baton Rouge as a store manager.

Shanta’s hobbies are shopping, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Krewe Captain Wilbur O. Johnson

Krewe Captain Wilbur O. Johnson Sr. is a native of Natchez. He is the son of the late Alexander L. and Esther C. Johnson. He is married to Barbara N. Johnson. They have four children, Wilbur Jr., Lisa, Valeria and Andrea. They have five grandchildren, Hallie, Trey, Christopher, Jordan and Erinn.

Wilbur attended St. Francis High School in Natchez, Grambling State University where he received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics, Tuskegee Institute where he received a master’s degree in mathematics, Northeast Louisiana University where he received certification in adult education and Loyola University, New Orleans, where he received a continuing education certification in pastoral study.

He is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he serves as the coordinator of the adult Bible study, is a member of the Pastoral Council, an Extra Ordinary Eucharist Minister and chairman of the fundraising committee for the Church Improvement and Development Fund.

He is a retired educator from the Louisiana public school system. He worked for the Mississippi State Department of Education on the School Support Team for No Child Left Behind. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He founded the Ujamaa Investment Club. He served as a deputy circuit clerk of Adams County. He is treasurer of the Adams County Democratic Executive Committee. He is a member of the Santa Claus Committee. He is presently serving as chairman of the Adams County Port Commissioners.

He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., of the Knights of Peter Claver Inc., of the 329th Chemical Company Army Reunion Group and of the executive board of the Krewe of Janus.

His hobbies are watching television, attending sporting events, attending social gatherings with family and friends and doing theological research and study.

Duchess Margaret Duncan Matthews

Duchess Margaret Duncan Matthews is a native of Natchez. She is the daughter of the late Ethel Lee Baldwin Duncan and the late Leon Duncan Sr. She is the youngest of five siblings.

Margaret is the mother of Shanta and Derek Matthews and Nakesha Watkins. She has five grandchildren Zamia and Zoey Washington, Nakhia Watkins, Malik Harris and Anthony Thompson. She has three godchildren, Vincent Carter Jr., Brittany Coach and Tierney Letcher.

Margaret is a 1980 graduate of North Natchez High School. She received an associate’s degree in child development technology in 1994. She also attended Hinds Community College where she received an associate’s degree in arts education-elementary in 1996. In 2012 she received her bachelor of science degree in child development from Alcorn State University.

Margaret is a member of Beulah Baptist Church where she is an active member of the choir and is also the director of the youth department. She also assists the pastor with various other duties. She is employed with Thompson Head Start. She has been a teacher for 24 years and is a member of the Head Start Association.

Margaret’s hobbies are cooking, traveling, shopping and spending time with her family and friends.

Duchess Brenda Duncan Letcher

Duchess Brenda Duncan Letcher is the daughter of the late Leon and Ethel Duncan. She has four siblings, Gwendolyn, Leon Jr., Maurice and Margaret.

Brenda is the mother of two children Kirya Duncan and wife, Yolanda, of Snellville, Ga., and Sylvia Letcher-Berry and husband, Stephen, of Memphis, Tenn. She is the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Tierney, Kendrell, Chelse, Timothy, Atiya, Kirya II and Jamal.

Brenda is a member of Beulah Baptist Church where she serves as secretary of the church and Sunday school. She also sings in the senior choir. She is a member of the Lucy Barnes Chapter No. 16 Order of the Eastern Star where she holds the position of treasurer. She is also a member of Pinkie Jackson Amaranth Court No. 1.

Brenda is a 1968 a graduate of Sadie V. Thompson High School. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and has a bachelor of science degree in business administration. She received her master’s degree from Alcorn State University in secondary education with an endorsement in educational administration and supervision.

Brenda is employed with AJFC Community Action Agency Inc. where she has served as the payroll/accounts payable officer for 19 years. Currently she is the human resource manager for the agency.

Brenda’s hobbies include spending time with family and friends and playing video games.

Her favorite Bible verse is Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you.”

 

Duchess Shirley Mitchell-Bailey was born in Natchez, the daughter of Henry and Bobbie Mitchell. She has five siblings, Patricia, Tara Alisha, Rachel and Patrick. She is a loving mother of four children, Chassidy, Henry, Katara and India.

Shirley graduated from Natchez High School in 1990. She attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College majoring in business medical coding. She also attended Alcorn State University where she majored in elementary education. She is currently employed with Franchise Management Investors LLC as the restaurant general manager of KFC.

She’s a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church. She is a member of Queen Esther Order of the Eastern Star and she is on the board of Henry Harris Tennis Foundation.

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

Duchess Youlanda Scott-Cooley is a native of Natchez. She is the daughter of Deloris and George Scott Sr. She has four siblings, George Jr., the Rev. Juwone Sr., Reginald Sr. and Calvin Sr.

Youlanda is married to Latoris Cooley Sr. She is the mother of Lanoxne Scott, Tamika Scott and Latrice Ellis. She has five grandchildren A’Dasia Scott, Adrian Marshall, JaKyren McMorris, TraVarrius Washington and JaNayla Claibiorne. She also has three godchildren, Asia Holloway Kelvin Holloway and Breanna Scott.

Youlanda is a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church and is an active member of the choir. She is currently employed with Thompson Head Start where she has been a dedicated bus driver for 32 years. She has also been a teacher’s assistant for 20 years. She’s a member of the Head Start Association.

Youlanda is a very active member of Adah Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Past Matron of the Lucy Barnes Chapter No. 16, Heroines of Jericho, Alkoran Court No. 1, Daughter of Sphinx, Pinkie Jackson Amaranth Court No. 1 and the L.E. Spencer Administrative Council.

Youlanda’s hobbies are sewing, drawing, shopping and spending time with family and friends.