The 84th Coronation Ceremony of Jackson County was presented by the Young Men’s Business Club of Moss Point on Friday, February 9, at the B.E. “Mac” McGinty Civic Center in Pascagoula. Keith Miller served as Master of Ceremonies. The program began with Charles Busby singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
An additional highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 44th annual Lifetime Community Service Award in honor of Liz Ford. Liz is a lifelong resident of Pascagoula, formally named Mary Elizabeth. She is a former Queen of Joy. Liz attended OLV, and graduated from PHS and Ole Miss. She retired after 41 years as Vice President of a worldwide steamship agency and has been recognized as the first female steamship agent in the United States. Liz has spent her lifetime volunteering for many community development and historic preservation initiatives.
The Royal Court was led by King of Joy LXVI, Jimmy Wheat of Moss Point, and Queen of Joy LXXXIII, Mallory Bosarge of Gautier. Mr. Wheat stands in memorial of King of Joy LXXXIII, Dr. Alvin Lafayette Felts, III. Archduke to the King was Rick Pribanic of Pascagoula, and Archduchess to the Queen was Jo Anne Fontaine of Moss Point. Dukes to the King were Kyle Miller, Jamie Wheat, Sam Stauter, Steve Capdepon, and Michael Moore. Duchesses to the Queen were Amy St. Pe, Priscilla Northrop, Gabrielle Lynd, Laura Burrow, and Jessica Hatfield. Crown Bearer to the King was Master Paul Banks, son of Brock and Mary Banks of Pascagoula. Trainbearer to the Queen was Miss Annabelle Mary Robertson, daughter of Sidney and Jessi Robertson of Moss Point.
The unmasking of the King and Queen was the highlight of the ceremony as the retiring King and Queen revealed King of Joy LXXXIV, Ramsay Stewart Taylor of Pascagoula, and Queen of Joy LXXXIV, Payton Keenum of Pascagoula.
His Majesty, King of Joy LXXXIV, Ramsay Stewart Taylor, is the son of Dr. Austin and Ariel Taylor. He is married to McCall Morgan Taylor of Meridian, Mississippi, and they have two daughters Saxton and Annalise.
Ramsay is a 1995 graduate of Pascagoula High School and a 2000 Graduate of the University of Mississippi. He and his brother-in-law, Matthew Mayfield, opened Tay’s Barbeque which Ramsay’s grandparents, Millard and Loyce Taylor, of Columbia, Mississippi, began in 1948 before retiring in the early 1980’s. To this day, the restaurant still uses the Taylor family recipes for its barbeque. He owns Thunders Wine & Liquor, and co-owns Jacks by The Tracks, The Jury Room, and The Dorsey. His Majesty and business partners have purchased 12 buildings in Pascagoula, 9 of which are downtown. Six of them were redeveloped into mixed-used properties.
Ramsay is a Main Street Pascagoula Board Member where he is currently serving his second term and was recently appointed to the Board of Commissioners at The Jackson County Port Authority by Governor Tate Reeves. He has been a member of the YMBC since 2002.
Her Majesty, Queen of Joy LXXXIV, Payton Keenum, is the daughter of Ms. Dana Keenum and Mr. Michael Keenum. She is the sister of Ethan Keenum.
Payton is a 2020 graduate of Resurrection Catholic School and attends the University of Alabama where she is a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Zeta Chapter. She will graduate in May with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communicative Disorders and a minor in Human Development. She plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Her Majesty was Arch Duchess of the Resurrection Catholic School Carnival Ball during her Freshman and Senior years, a member of the Melange Dance Company, and a member of Juene Esprit Service and Social Club. Payton is a member of Our Ladies of Victories Catholic Church in Pascagoula.
The High Sheriff of Jackson County, John Ledbetter, presented the Key to the County to His Majesty to symbolize rule over his domain for the evening and the unity of the county.
The Royal Court greeted their subjects with a Grand March and participated in the Royal Dance. The King and Queen of Joy LXXXIV then ordered celebration and merriment for the remainder of the evening to the entertainment of Troy Laz Band.
