MOSS POINT, Mississippi – The Young Men’s Business Club of Moss Point has announced the Royal Court for its 86th Coronation Ceremony. The theme for this year’s ceremony will be “America- 250 Years of Freedom.”
The coronation of the King and Queen of Joy LXXXVI and their Court will be held February 13, 2026, at the B. E. “Mac” McGinty Civic Center in Pascagoula, and 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 that are 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 46th annual Lifetime Community Service Award in honor of William R. Ehlert, M.D. Dr. Bud is Papa to two sons, three grand girls and one grandson. He and wife, the former Regina Reimer, make their home in Pascagoula. He grew up in Selma, Alabama, graduated from Sewanee University, and graduated medical school at UAB in Birmingham. While interning at Mobile General Hospital (now USA), he married Regina, an ER Nurse. During his Radiology residency in Birmingham, he received a call to join the Radiology Group at Singing River Hospital. Over the next 40 years, many new technologies were added and everything digitalized. Dr. Bud feels fortunate to have been part of this evolution.
46th annual Lifetime Community Service Award Recipient
He developed a hobby of pruning live oak trees around Pascagoula. Years after Pascagoula Pride planted over 200 trees on The Causeway between Pascagoula and Gautier, Dr. Bud personally pruned each tree and hauled off the debris. This became such a large project that Pascagoula Pride and The City of Pascagoula had to assume the work.
An Eagle Scout, Dr. Ehlert is also responsible for several osprey nesting poles around Pascagoula. The most active nests are adjacent to the Birding Pier and just east of Inner Harbor.
A woodworking shop beneath his home gives him great joy! Using wood from historic structures like the old ice plant, train station and Katrina debris, he makes bowls, cremation urns, and other items. He never sells a single item, but often donates to good causes.
Resurrection Catholic School holds a special place in Dr. Bud’s heart! He maintains the “barnyard” at the elementary campus, and has worked on making the high school “high profile”. He’s done this by developing a fitness center, improving signage on the gym, and painting an RCS Eagle mural on the north wall of the gym with muralist James Mayo.
However, one of Dr. Bud and Mr. Mayo’s best projects are the murals under the Highway 90 Bridge at Lighthouse Park depicting a pine savanna and various scenes. They hope to continue painting the history of Jackson County on the columns down to the river.
Outside of Pascagoula, his favorite place is back near Selma at his hunting camp called The Orchard. Constructed in 2005, he incorporated Hurricane Katrina debris. It is full of memorabilia!
He grew up Episcopalian in Selma, but married Catholic in Mobile. He continues his journey of faith at Sacred Heart and OLV Churches. Dr. Bud never second-guessed his decision to move to Pascagoula, and he also never thought about leaving.
Leading the Royal Court will be King of Joy LXXXV, Manley Barton of Hurley, and Queen of Joy LXXXV, Anna Grace Crump of Hurley. 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 2026 is Randy Carney of Hurley and Archduchess to the Queen is Joelyon Holtzman of Moss Point. Dukes to the King are Parker Pugh, Jason Loris, Walter Gautier, Rob Smith, Aulton Vann III, and Taylor McNeel. Duchesses to the Queen are Desiree Lennep, Tobie Decoteau, Lynne Turner, Kaleigh Nelson, Annie Battley Jackson, and Katy Boyer Langston. Crown Bearer to the King is Master William Wieniewitz, son of Landry and Sarah Wieniewitz of Moss Point. Trainbearer to the Queen is Miss Libby Perkins, daughter of Richard and Lindsey Perkins of Moss Point.
After the coronation and unmasking of the King and Queen of Joy LXXXVI 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.
