The 85th Coronation Ceremony of Jackson County was presented by the Young Men’s Business Club of Moss Point on Friday, February 28, at the B.E. “Mac” McGinty Civic Center in Pascagoula. Keith Miller served as Master of Ceremonies. The program began with Haley Lane Dolan singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
An additional highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 45th annual Lifetime Community Service Award in honor of Dobbs Dennis. He was born in Chalkhill, Pennsylvania, and resides in Moss Point. Dobbs is a retired Navy Master Chief, retired school teacher, coach, and athletic director. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. Dobbs takes his faith seriously and uses his talents and skills provided by God to serve others. He and his late wife, the former Myrna Ladnier Lennep, were married for 34 years. Together they were active volunteers and Dobbs continues to be a leadership servant in our community.
The Royal Court was led by King of Joy LXXXIV, Ramsay Stewart Taylor of Pascagoula, and Queen of Joy LXXXIV, Payton Keenum of Pascagoula. Archduke to the King was Walter J. Brown, Sr. of Gautier, and Archduchess to the Queen was Jean Smith of Gautier. Dukes to the King were James Prisock, Terry Jackson, Randy Carney, Jeff Walker, and Nick Bosco. Duchesses to the Queen were Brandi Busby, Jenne King, Meagan Heidelberg, Alice Kate Berry, and Dane Zelenka. Crown Bearer to the King was Master Ty Mason Stegall, son of Richard and Clare Stegall of Pascagoula. Trainbearer to the Queen was Miss Lily Elizabeth Vance, daughter of Steven and Aimee Vance 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 LXXXV, Manly Barton of Hurley, and Queen of Joy LXXXV, Anna Grace Crump of Hurley.
His Majesty, King of Joy LXXXV, Manly Barton, served three terms as a Jackson County Supervisor. He is currently serving a fourth term in the Mississippi House of Representatives, representing District 109. Manly is the current Speaker Pro-Tem of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Management Committee. He also serves on Appropriations, Education, Ethics, Military Affairs, and Rules Committees. In 2002, he was appointed by President George Bush to the Outer Continental Shelf Policy Committee and Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Board. He served for eight years on both committees.
Manly has served as a member of the Mississippi Public Funds Guaranty Pool Board, Commission of Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal after Hurricane Katrina, Co-chair of the Governor’s Workforce Development Committee, and Governor’s Tax Structure Committee. He is the Past President of the Pascagoula Civitan Club and served as the Lieutenant Governor of the Mississippi Civitan Clubs.
Manly is a U.S. Army veteran. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star for Valor and Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, Army Air Medal, and Army Commendation Medal while serving in Viet Nam 1969-1970. He served with the 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division.
He attended Vancleave High School and Alabama Christian College where he majored in Business Finance. He retired from Chevron after a 29-year career in Information Technology.
Manly is married to the former Sarah Thornton from Jackson, Mississippi, and they have 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. They are members of Eastlawn United Methodist Church.
Her Majesty, Queen of Joy LXXXV, Anna Grace Crump, is the daughter of Doug and Stephanie Crump, the granddaughter of Jack and Maxine Stork, and the late, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Crump. Anna Grace is a 2022 honor graduate of East Central High School. While at ECHS she was a member of the student council, SWARM, Key Club, Beta Club, Future Farmers of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and National Society of High School Scholars. She was an All-A student and received numerous awards for GPA and highest academics. Anna Grace is a Mississippi Scholars recipient, on the ACT 25+ wall of fame, and was inducted into the East Central High School Class of 2022 Hall of Fame.
Anna Grace was a 4-year member of Lockheart Social Club where she served as secretary her junior year and treasurer her senior year. She was duchess her junior and senior year and was awarded the Outstanding Lockheart award her junior year.
Anna Grace attends the University of Southern Mississippi pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing where she will graduate this fall, a semester early, with plans to further her education to become a nurse anesthetist. She has been on the dean’s list throughout her time there. She is a recipient of the Mississippi Nursing Foundation Scholarship and a member of USM’s Student Nurses Association.
Anna Grace is a third-year member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. In Tri-Delta, she has served on multiple committees in her chapter and currently serves as Director of Recruitment. Events while serving include multiple fundraisers for St Jude and throughout the Hattiesburg community.
In her spare time, you can find Anna Grace on a boat enjoying our beautiful islands, at the beach, deer hunting, taking vacations, going to Disney, or spending time with family and friends.
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 LXXXV then ordered celebration and merriment for the remainder of the evening to the entertainment of the Tip Tops.
