1 of 6

From left, Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson, Legacy award winners David and Betty Paradise, and Alderman Curtis Moroney. (Submitted)

From left, Leah Hunter, DNA director, beautification award winner Phebe Heard Winters, and Pokey O’Beirne. (Submitted)

From left, beautification award winner Mary Williams, DNA Director Leah Hunter and Natchez Convention Center General Manager Walter Tipton. (Submitted)

From left, DNA President Norma West, Natchez Alderwoman Felicia Irving, DNA Director Leah Hunter, the Rev. Birdon Mitchell, pastor of Legacy award winner Zion Chapel AME Church and DNA board member Chesney Doyle. (Submitted)

From left, Norma West, president of the Downtown Natchez Alliance and a trustee of Zion Chapel AME Church, Leah Hunter, DNA executive director, and Carlee Reed of Zion Chapel AME Church. (Submitted)

From left, Hannah Royal, who accepted the Placemaking award for her uncle Joseph A.C. Smith, DNA Director Leah Hunter and DNA board member Chesney Doyle. (Submitted)

NATCHEZ — The Downtown Natchez Alliance on Saturday honored the work of volunteers in Natchez who work to Keep Natchez Blooming in the spirit of the late Sallie Junkin Ballard.

In the 1990s, using her own volition, Ballard set about to plant 2,000 Crepe Myrtle trees in Natchez by year 2000, which she did. Ballard went on to proclaim Natchez to be the Crepe Myrtle capital of the world.

Six awards were presented — two for beautification, two for placemaking, and two for legacy and lifetime achievement.

Marty Junkin Seibert represented the Junkin and Ballard families Saturday at the event held at Smoot’s on the Natchez Bluff.

“We are here today not only to pay tribute to Sallie for her vision and volunteerism, but also to celebrate other community volunteers who give their time and talent to keep Natchez blooming in every sense of the word,” Seibert said.

Pokey O’Beirne presented the first award for beautification to Phebe Heard Winters. O’Beirne said Winters is an active and long-standing member of the Garden Lovers of Natchez. She said Winters is chairperson of the antique roses at the Natchez City Cemetery and as such leads a group of more than 30 volunteers who carefully check, prune, fertilize, water and oversee the many beautiful roses in the City Cemetery. Winters is also co-chair of the cemetery’s annual Angels on the Bluff fundraiser.

DNA board member Chesney Doyle presented the second beautification award to Mary Williams.

“Mary Williams has been cultivating beauty, pride and seasonal magic along the city sidewalks at the Natchez Convention Center for more than 20 years,” Doyle said. “Mary is an employee of the Natchez Convention Center as the kitchen manager, but her title does not encompass all that she does. For the past 20 years, Mary has maintained and planted the tree wells and planters all around the center as a volunteer. She is also a Master Gardener.

Awards for Placemaking were presented to Sabrina Dore for her works bringing fireworks to the Miss-Lou.

“Adding the boom to the bloom, Sabrina Dore has been lighting up the sky and firing up the community spirit along the Historic Natchez Bluff and the Vidalia Riverfront through Miss-Lou Fireworks since 2018,” Doyle said.

The second award for Placemaking went to Joseph A.C. Smith, founder of BlackNatchez.org. Smith’s award was accepted by his 8-year-old niece, Hanna Royal.

“Smith is a driving force of creative vision, volunteer spirit and grassroots investment, aimed at creating a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and community pride at the MLK Triangle,” Doyle said.

Ward 6 Alderman Curtis Moroney presented the first Legacy Award to David and Betty Paradise.

“Through decades of generous stewardship — beautifying public spaces, restoring historic properties, supporting civic initiatives, and investing in community organizations — David and Betty Paradise’s enduring commitment to Natchez ensures there’s truly no place like home,” Moroney said.

Ward 4 Alderwoman Felicia Irving presented the final Legacy Award to Zion Chapel AME Church of Natchez.

“A steadfast partner in the city’s Downtown Master Plan, Zion Chapel has led with purpose to ignite the revitalization of the MLK Triangle, culminating in the 2024 donation of church property for Hiram Revels Plaza, a new public park at the gateway to Downtown Natchez,” Irving said.

More Business

Vidalia Mills property, inventory to be auctioned Aug. 6

Personal injury law firm opens Natchez office

Port commissioner: ‘Problems aren’t hard to fix’

Passions come together in couple’s new Franklin Street retail venture