Members and guests of the Krewe of Ceres 45th Annual Charity Ball were treated to “A Royal Affair” Saturday evening.

     As guests pulled up to the Lincoln Civic Center they were greeted by a Queen in her royal car waving to her subjects. At the entrance to the building two Queen’s guard soldiers in full military regalia stood at attention.

     Once inside, a formal receiving room complete with red damask walls, oriental rugs, antiques and framed portraits awaited the guests.

     Upon entering the grand ballroom guests’ eyes were immediately drawn to the ceiling where enormous Union Jack flags were affixed and a large chandelier flanked by four smaller ones were hung in regal splendor.

     Eight Union Jack flags on poles hung from the girders around the perimeter of the room and ornamental trees and greenery were placed underneath each one. The walls were entirely covered in red damask fabric setting the scene for an enchanted royal evening.

     The Lion and Unicorn crest was the backdrop for the presentation stage. An antique red damask settee served as the throne. Tall brass candelabras flanked the throne and opulent flower arrangements completed the regal setting of the stage.

     The tables were arranged banquet style and set with white cloths, royal blue raw silk runners, and red satin ribbon. Each place was set with a gold charger. Tall flower arrangements and votive candles completed the table décor.

     Guests enjoyed a sumptuous feast served on two L-shaped tables covered in royal blue raw silk tablecloths and accented with topiaries and gorgeous floral arrangements.

     The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Charity Ball Court, which culminated with the naming of the 2012 king and queen

     Reigning as King of the 2012 Krewe of Ceres Charity Ball was Truman Terry Reid.

     King Reid is well known in Lincoln County having lived here for most of his 61 years.

     In his job as director of parks and recreation for the City of Brookhaven, Reid has encouraged and supervised countless youth in a wide variety of recreational activities.

     Reid is the son of Mrs. O. W. (Audrey) Landrum and the late Mr. Landrum of Brookhaven and the late Truman Reid of Laurel. His sister is Dianna Reid Roberson of Brookhaven.

     Reid was born in Laurel and moved to Brookhaven at the age of 6. He attended Brookhaven Public Schools and graduated from Brookhaven High in 1968. Reid was a four year letterman in football at BHS and was voted “Best All Around” and “Friendliest” his senior year. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity before enlisting in the U. S. Navy.

     He served as a Signalman in the Navy traveling to many ports of call in the Atlantic and Pacific and was honorably discharged in 1972. He returned to USM to complete a B.S. degree in Therapeutic Recreation.

     After graduation from college, Reid worked briefly at Ellisville State School where he instituted a woodworking program for the school’s residents. He then entered employment in the oilfield industry, working for his maternal grandfather’s business, G. B. “Boots” Smith Trucking, in Laurel until 1980.

     After moving back to Brookhaven, he owned and operated Rainbow Rentals and Choctaw Oilfield Services. He then was employed by Smith Trucking as a pipeline supervisor until 1997. Reid returned to the field of his major at Brookhaven Parks and Recreation Department in 1999 as assistant director. Reid became the City of Brookhaven’s Director of Parks and Recreation in 2002.

     He supervises all city recreational pursuits at the Brookhaven Recreation Department, Hansel King Sportsplex, A. L. Lott Complex, as well as the Jimmy Furlow Senior Center. Reid also oversees the maintenance of City Park, Bicentennial Park, Bethel Park and Kid’s Kingdom. He was instrumental in securing a grant to build a walking trail at City Park, two new playgrounds at Bethel Park and Bicentennial Park, and spearheaded the implementation of spray parks at City Park and Bicentennial Park.

     The Jimmy Furlow Senior Center was built under his leadership. Reid is devoted to providing quality recreational facilities and opportunities for the families of the city of Brookhaven and Lincoln County. Reid credits two of his dearest friends, the late Jimmy Furlow and the Rev. Pat Davey, for teaching him the importance of volunteering and giving back to the community.

     He has implemented T-ball and soccer programs for special needs children of the city and county, believing in the value of sports for all citizens. In addition to his duties as director of parks and recreation, Reid served the MSHAA as a certified official for football, soccer, and softball from 1999 to 2010. He also served as a softball and soccer certified official for the MPSA during those years.

     Reid has been a member of and served on the executive board of directors of the Mississippi Parks and Recreation Association since 2003. He currently serves on the Sports Activity board of that association. He is a member of the Mississippi Amateur Softball Association and served on the executive board of directors from 2002 until 2010.

     Reid is an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church where he is a deacon and leader of the Helping Hands team. The Helping Hands team provides monthly social activities for the Senior Saints of the church and community during the winter months and does odd jobs and household chores monthly during the summer.

     Reid is married to Pam Jones Reid, a native of Brookhaven, and they are the parents of three daughters. Emily Reid Mulhollen lives in Madison with her husband, Steve, and two children, Parker, 5, and Mallory, 3. Carrie Reid Sones lives in Brookhaven with her husband, Bill, and five children, David, 7, John, 5, Drew, 4, Claire, 1, and Fisher, 2 months. Anna Elizabeth Reid is a sophomore at Mississippi College in Clinton.

     Reid is very proud to have daughter Anna serving as a maid on his court. Reid enjoys being “Papa” to his lively group of grandchildren and hunting and fishing with his family and friends of all ages.

     Serving as Queen in this year’s ball is Mary Catherine McDonnieal, the daughter of Robert Glenn McDonnieal and Cathy Batson McDonnieal. She is the granddaughter of Catherine Day Batson and the late Billy Gene Batson of Brookhaven and Neita Grantham McDonnieal and the late Charles McDonnieal of Mendenhall.

     McDonnieal was a special honors graduate of Brookhaven Academy class of 2008 with a ranking of fourth in her class. She was secretary of the National Honor Society and a Mississippi Scholar. She was the editor of the school yearbook, a member of the Key Club, Spanish Club, Future Business Leaders of America and junior class secretary. She was a Lincoln County Junior Miss contestant. She was elected homecoming queen in 2008, class favorite and a school beauty.

      McDonnieal was a member of the tennis team and a varsity cheerleader for four years. She was a member of the 2005 State Champion 4A cheerleading squad and chosen as an NCA All- American and UCA All-Star Cheerleader.

     McDonnieal graduated from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in 2010 where she was on the Dean’s and President’s lists. She was chosen as a Who’s Who Among American Junior Colleges and inducted into Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Hall of Fame. She was a member of the student government association, vice president of fellowship for Phi Theta Kappa, elected campus favorite, a member of Trailblazers, and Sigma Kappa Delta English honor society.

     McDonnieal was also a member of the tennis team and a cheerleader for two years. She was selected Most Beautiful, and elected homecoming queen and Miss Copiah- Lincoln Community College. She was awarded NJCC Distinguished All American in tennis and the outstanding student athlete award in cheerleading and tennis.

     She was a member of the Junior Auxiliary Crown Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She is active in Relay for Life and helping raise money for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. She was also involved in the campaign for keeping Lincoln and Copiah County Beautiful and numerous chamber activities. She served as Lincoln County’s Miss Hospitality in 2009.

     McDonnieal is presently a senior at Mississippi State University from which she will graduate in May with a degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations. She plans to continue her education in graduate school. She is an active member of the Kappa Alpha Chapter, Phi Mu sorority.

     McDonnieal is a Mississippi State Roadrunner and serves as an officer in the Public Relations Student Society of America. She is also involved in the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, Lambda Pi Eta, the communication association’s honor society, and Mortar Board, national honor society recognizing college seniors. She has participated in two internships with the Growth Alliance in West Point and Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson.

     She is a member of First Baptist Church. McDonnieal served as an aide to the queen in the 2001 ball and a maid in the 2010 ball. Her brother Grantham Day served as an escort in the 2007 ball.