MOSS POINT, Mississippi – The Young Men’s Business Club of Moss Point has announced the Royal Court for its 85th Coronation Ceremony.
The coronation of the King and Queen of Joy LXXXV and their Court will be held on February 28, 2025, at the B. E. “Mac” McGinty Civic Center in Pascagoula. As always, a capacity crowd will be in attendance to pay tribute to the members of the Court.
The ceremony differs in purpose from the many great carnival celebrations enjoyed this time of year. Over its long history, the formal black tie coronation ceremony has recognized residents of Jackson County who have made meaningful contributions to the community through professional, civic, or personal impacts.
The first ceremony was held in 1935, but the event was suspended a few times over the years, 1943-45 during WWII, 1951 during the Korean War, 2006 after Hurricane Katrina, and 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
An additional highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the 45th annual Lifetime Community Service Award in honor of Dobbs Dennis. Dobbs was married to the former Myrna Ladnier Lennep for 34 years and has a blended family of 7 children, 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was born in Chalkhill, Pennsylvania to the late Aubrey J. Dennis and June Dennis Everly. He was the middle child of 5 children, 3 brothers and a sister. He and his brothers all served in the United States Navy. His father flew B-24s in WWII.
Dobbs is a retired Navy Master Chief who served for 25 years. He deployed to foreign waters 14 times, which included combat tours during the Vietnam War, the invasion of Grenada, the Lebanon incursion, the first Gulf War, and many Cold War confrontations with Soviet forces. His final tour was in the Naval Leadership and Training Command. The team he led was instrumental in reviewing and writing leadership curriculum for enlisted, office,r and flag officers of the United States Navy.
Dobbs came to Jackson County in 1988 when he was assigned to the newly built USS Wasp at Ingalls. He and Myrna married in 1989 and was soon deployed to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the USS John F. Kennedy to support Operation Desert Shield. He retired from the U.S. Navy after returning home to Moss Point, enrolled in the University of Southern Mississippi, and received a B.A. in 1998 with highest honors. He is a loyal USM football fan.
Dobbs taught 7th-grade World History at Trent Lott Middle School and Colmer Middle School for 15 years. He coached football and track, sponsored the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Color Guard, and ensured proper handling of the U.S. flag raising and lowering. He was honored as the 2010-2011 Colmer Teacher of the Year.
After retirement from the public school system, Dobbs tried his hand in broadcast media, with a weekly community service broadcast on WGUD and a lively morning radio show as “The Morning Menace” on WPMO. Dobbs was then employed as Athletic Director of Resurrection Catholic School. During his tenure, a plan for improvement in facilities was implemented and the results can be seen today. He also volunteered as the chair of the RCS Athletic Club.
Dobbs has served on many community boards including Our Daily Bread, Moss Point Main Street, Vice President of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra, and Zone Captain for Coastal Cleanup. He has been instrumental in spreading Christmas cheer for over 20 years as a member of the “Jolly Old Elf’s” and plays Santa for Moss Point Christmas by the River. He is the Master of Ceremony for the annual Jackson County Veterans Program and a member of the Jackson County District 2 election team.
Dobbs is an active member of Dantzler Memorial United Methodist Church, and has served as Lay Leader, Church Council Chairman, and delegate for the Annual Methodist Conference. Dobbs takes his faith seriously and uses the talents and skills provided by God to serve those who have no home church. He officiates at funerals and weddings and provides a Saturday morning Bible study for Elks members. He has been accepted into the Global Methodist Church as a supply Pastor, currently serving Bonnie Chapel in Vancleave, MS. He will be completing a course of study from Wesley Biblical Seminary for formal ordination in the Global Methodist Church.
Dobbs has been a member in good standing of Pascagoula Elk’s Lodge 1120 since 2002, presently serving as Lodge Chaplain. He has served the Lodge as SOAR Rally Coordinator, Youth Coordinator, and Hoop Shoot Coordinator. He is past Chairman of the Scholarship and Student of the Month Committees. Dobbs established the Elks “Pontoon Flotilla” which provides free boat rides during the Moss Point River Jamboree, and he has provided safe boating training for youth during Moss Point’s summer camps.
He has been a Duke for YMBC, Tri-Cities, and 3 Elks Balls. He and Myrna were honored as Elks King Antler LVII and Queen Doe LVII. Dobbs resides in Moss Point with his dog Toby.
Leading the Royal Court will be King of Joy LXXXIV, Ramsay Stewart Taylor of Pascagoula, and Queen of Joy LXXXIV, Payton Keenum of Pascagoula. The identities of the new King and Queen are a closely held secret and will be revealed as the final part of this year’s program.
Archduke to the King for 2025 is Walter J. Brown, Sr. of Gautier, and Archduchess to the Queen is Jean Smith of Gautier. Dukes to the King are James Prisock, Terry Jackson, Randy Carney, Jeff Walker, and Nick Bosco. Duchesses to the Queen are Brandi Busby, Jenne King, Meagan Heidelberg, Alice Kate Berry, and Dane Zelenka. Crown Bearer to the King is Master Ty Mason Stegall, son of Richard and Clare Stegall of Pascagoula. Trainbearer to the Queen is Miss Lily Elizabeth Vance, daughter of Steven and Aimee Vance of Moss Point.
After the coronation and unmasking of the King and Queen of Joy LXXXV and the royal procession, guests are invited to participate in celebration and merriment, enjoying the music of Tip Tops Band for the remainder of the evening.
