The Krewe of Natchez Indian’s annual Mardi Gras Ball will be at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Natchez Convention Center.

The 2018 Royalty are:

Queen Jennifer Marie Davis Prater

Jennifer Marie Davis Prater is a native of Natchez. She is the daughter of the late Jeff Turner and Julia L. Davis. Jennifer was the wife of the late Raydell Anthony Prater. She is the mother of Raylin Amari Prater who is a junior at Cathedral High School.

Jennifer is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church where she sings with Holy Family Gospel Choir.

Jennifer is an original “North Natchez Ram” graduating from the last class of North Natchez High School in 1989. Upon graduation, she attended Alcorn State University receiving a bachelor of science in business administration. She is employed by Holy Family Early Learning Center as the administrative assistant and bookkeeper. Also, she is employed by Belk department store.

Jennifer’s hobbies include spending time with family and friends, watching football (The New Orleans Saints Who Dat!!), basketball and we can’t leave out shopping.

Jennifer’s philosophy of life is “Life to me means friends and family who you can trust and who trust you.”

King Keywand Battiste

Keywand “PeeWee” Battiste is the son of Shirley and Arthur Dawson. He is a native of Natchez. Keywand is the youngest of four children. He is a graduate of Natchez High class of 2013. Keywand also attends Zion Chapel No. 2 church in Kingston, where he is under the leadership of Walter L. Smith Sr.

Keywand’s hobbies are fishing, shopping, spending time with family and cooking.

He is currently employed at the Natchez Convention Center where he has been employed for four years. Keywand is the owner of Peewee Creations LLC, and is also a licensed caterer and bartender.

One of Keywand’s favorite quotes is “Can’t nobody do me better than me.”

Duchess Sheila P. Evans

Sheila P. Evans was born and raised in Natchez. She is the daughter of Joyce Dukes and Henry Pollard Jr. She has two sisters, Mary Pollard and Tarmara Murray, and one brother, Anthony Green.

Sheila is married to Ruben Evans Jr and they are the proud parents of six amazing children, Shanteria Williams, Damin Morris, Santarius Pollard, Jasmine Morris, Ashley Morris and SaDarrius Pollard. Sheila is the grandmother of five grandchildren, Kyren, Jamie, Khlo, Dylan and Kayle. She also is the god mother of Chance King.

Sheila is a 1989 graduate of North Natchez High School. She is employed with Deaconess Hospice Care and the City of Natchez.

Sheila is a member of the Morning Star Baptist Church where she serves as choir president. Sheila has been singing in the choir since she was a little girl and has been a Girl Scout Leader of Troop 5357 for 20 years.

Sheila enjoys spending her time with her family, shopping and making floral arrangements.

Her motto is “Everybody is somebody.”

Duke Ruben A. Evans, Jr.

Ruben Evans Jr. was born and raised in Natchez. He is the son of Stella Evans and Ruben Evans Sr. Ruben has one sister, Addie Evans, and one brother, Reginald Evans.

Ruben is married to Sheila P. Evans and they are the proud parents of six wonderful children, Shanteria Williams, Damin Morris, Santarius Pollard, Jasmine Morris, Ashley Morris and SaDarrius Pollard. Ruben is the grandfather of five grandchildren, Kyren, Jamie, Khlo, Dylan and Kayle. He is also the godfather of Chance King.

Ruben is a 1988 graduate of South Natchez High School. He is a truck driver for Jowin Trucking Express.

Ruben is a member of Morning Star Baptist Church where he sings in the choir.

He has been named “Super Dad” by the Natchez Girl Scout Troops for the last 18 years.

Ruben’s hobbies include cooking and watching the Dallas Cowboys during football season.

Duchess Chinta Wilson-Jones

Chinta Wilson-Jones, a native of Natchez, is the daughter of Annie Jones-Wilson and the late Arthur Lee Wilson. Chinta has two sons, Omari Wilson and Emanuel Jones Jr. She also has one brother, Antoine Wilson.

Chinta is currently employed by both Great River Chevrolet-GMC and Dunleith Historic Inn.

She is a 1997 graduate of Natchez High School. She also attended Alcorn State University and Hinds Community College.

Chinta joined the Krewe of Natchez Indians in 2008 and is also a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

Her hobbies include, helping others, making baskets and bouquets, traveling, shopping, watching Dallas Cowboys football and spending quality time with family and friends.

Chinta lives by her dad’s favorite motto, “It’s all good because you only live once!”

Duke Jamie Lamonte Smith

Duke Jamie Lamonte Smith is the proud 35-year-old son of Jimmy and Eva Smith. Born in Natchez, Jamie was raised on the campus of Alcorn State University for more than 30 years.

During his time, Jamie was educated in the Claiborne School District and later attended Alcorn State University, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications. 

Jamie furthered his studies at Alcorn, receiving a masters in counseling and later at Walden University in higher education.

He currently serves as the associate director of financial aid at Alcorn State University in which he has earned 10 financial aid certifications through the National Association Student Financial Aid Administrator.

Jamie is an active member of Theta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Jamie is also a member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church where he is the co-chair for the sanctuary choir and worship leader.

Jamie’s hobbies include spending time with family, helping out in the community and, the most important thing, serving God.

Jamie motto in life is “Enjoy life to the fullest and live out what you have placed on earth to do.”