Mr. Daniel G. Dillard of Natchez announces the engagement of his daughter, Abagail Cole Dillard to Russell Mardis Marks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Marks of Church Hill.

The bride-to-be is also the daughter of the late Mrs. Janet Cole Dillard. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. James J. Cole, and the late Mr. James J. Cole of Natchez, and the late Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Dillard of Natchez.

The bride-to-be is a graduate of Cathedral High School, and is a student in Alcorn State University’s Bachelor of Science Nursing Program.

The groom-to-be is a graduate of Adams County Christian School. He is employed by Danos of Houma, La.

He is the grandson of Mr. Robert R. Marks, “Coach Marks,” and the late Mrs. “Neet” Marks of Lake St. John, and the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ed Mardis of Fayette.

The couple will have a private wedding ceremony Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Family and friends are invited to attend the reception that will follow at 7 p.m. at Auburn Antebellum Home in Natchez.