The Southern Debutante Assembly held its 2018 Presentation and White and Gold Ball on the evening of Dec. 28 at the Greenwood Country Club. Thirty-three debutantes were presented to society at the event.
Flickering candles in hurricane lamps lined the drive to the clubhouse entrance. Twinkle lights entwined a pair of Christmas trees flanking the double-door entry and the pine garland framing the entry. Matching sprays of white dendrobium orchids, porcelana roses, Fuji mums, antique hydrangeas and seasonal greenery were displayed on the doors.
Members of the assembly’s Governing Board greeted the honorees’ guests entering the foyer. Several hundred attended from around Mississippi and other states.
On opposite sides of the foyer, consoles held matching arrangements of blush sweetheart roses, blush hydrangeas, dendrobium orchids, Fuji mums and silver dollar eucalyptus on the lamp bases.
Between the two sets of double doors leading from the foyer to the ballroom was a tall Douglas fir Christmas tree decorated with small clusters of white daisy mums, white Fuji mums, crystal icicle ornaments, gold metallic ribbon and white twinkle lights.
Along the walls of the ballroom, lighted sconces displayed compact arrangements of white Fuji mums, white dendrobium orchids, gypsophila and silver dollar eucalyptus.
The honorees were presented before a massive arrangement of white gladioli, porcelana roses, white dendrobium orchids, white stargazer lilies, white Fuji mums, antique hydrangeas, gypsophila, silver dollar eucalyptus and areca palm fronds displayed in a ceramic garden urn atop a fluted gilt pedestal.
At the opposite end of the ballroom, the debutantes took their places on a dais accented by four tall white columns, each topped with an arrangement of porcelana roses, white stargazer lilies and silver dollar eucalyptus.
Positioned against this backdrop was a pair of large arrangements of white gladioli, porcelana roses, white dendrobium orchids, white stargazer lilies, white Fuji mums, antique hydrangeas, gypsophila, silver dollar eucalyptus and areca palm fronds displayed in ceramic urns atop fluted gilt pedestals. Flanking each side of the dais were three Christmas trees decorated with gypsophila, shiny gold ornaments and white twinkle lights.
The officers of the Cavaliers were introduced to the assembled guests. Serving this year were Mr. William Dent Brock of Greenwood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Donald Brock Jr.; Mr. Lawson James Cooper of Atlanta, son of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Clayton Cooper; Mr. Michael Edward Daves Jr. of Fairhope, Alabama, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Edward Daves; and Mr. Sam Henry Farmer of Greenwood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Paul Farmer.
Mr. Micajah Purnell Sturdivant III of Itta Bena introduced the master of ceremonies for the presentation, Dr. James Lee Valentine of Marion.
Wearing white formal ball gowns, the debutantes carried bouquets of snow-white roses and Christmas greenery hand-tied with gold silk sparkle ribbon.
The pages wore long A-line gowns of emerald satin and carried nosegays of variegated holly and Christmas greenery hand-tied with shimmering gold ribbon.
Throughout the presentation and introduction of the honorees, The Sessions of Jackson played traditional favorites. The band later played for dancing during the appointed hours.
Following the presentation, the honorees and their guests enjoyed dancing and visiting at tables positioned around the ballroom floor at the White and Gold Ball.
Each table was centered with an arrangement of white Fuji mums, porcelana roses, blush sweetheart roses, heather and Christmas greenery surrounded by flickering votive candles on a mirrored base.
In the Garden Room, opening from the ballroom, buffet tables skirted in white linen and overlaid with gold embroidered silk organza offered an extensive array of heavy hors d’oeuvres. The focal point of the center table was a towering arrangement of white gladioli, porcelana roses, white dendrobium orchids, white stargazer lilies, white Fuji mums, antique hydrangeas, gypsophila, silver dollar eucalyptus, curly pine and areca palm fronds in a gilt ceramic garden urn. Smaller complementary arrangements were entwined on silver candelabra bases on the two end tables.
In a separate area of the clubhouse, Will Freeman and Andy Hackleman of Greenwood played current favorite tunes as the pages and page escorts enjoyed refreshments, dancing and visiting. Tables skirted in holiday linens were positioned around the dance floor and centered with arrangements of Christmas greenery.
Debutantes presented
The debutantes presented to society included:
* Kathryn Rae Butler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Weaver Butler Jr. of Jackson. She was presented by her father and escorted by her brother, Matthew Brent Butler of Jackson.
* Mary Olga Cooke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Scott Cooke of Clarksdale. Miss Cooke was presented by her father and escorted by her uncle, Dr. Ronald Bruce Newell of Greenwood.
* Lucille Kelley Corneille Heaton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Cliff Heaton of Clarksdale. Presented by Mr. Heaton, she was escorted by Mr. John Andrew Agostinelli Jr. of Clarksdale.
* Ann-Clayton Sandidge O’Keefe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kinchen Hilliary O’Keefe Jr. of Clarksdale. Presented by her father, Miss O’Keefe was escorted by Mr. Daniel Emilio Walker of Dundee.
* Anna Carson Tyner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Michael Tyner Jr. of Clarksdale. Miss Tyner was presented by her father and escorted by Mr. Walter Reese Pillow V of Greenwood.
* Natalie Grace Yandell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Yerger Clifton Yandell of Chicago. Presented by her father, Miss Yandell was escorted by her cousin, Mr. John Baskervill McKee IV of Clarksdale.
* And Sarah Clifton Yandell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William McBride Yandell III of Memphis, Tennessee. Miss Yandell was presented by her father and escorted by her brothers, Mr. William McBride Yandell IV of Birmingham, Alabama, and Mr. Philip McCaull Yandell of Memphis.
Pages to the debutantes included:
* Georgia Katherine Dulaney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Justin O’Neil Dulaney of Clarksdale;
* Katherine Elisabeth Frazer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Bennett Frazer of Memphis; and
* Katie Helon Sherard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Holmes Sherard V of Clarksdale.
Escorts to the pages included:
* Joseph Thomas Buchanan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Michael Buchanan of Oxford;
* John Holmes Sherard VI, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Holmes Sherard V of Clarksdale; and
* Lewis Wynne Smith IV, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Wynne Smith III of Oxford.
Events honor debutantes, others in Golden Season
In association with the Southern Debutante Assembly’s Presentation and White and Gold Ball, held in December in Greenwood, several events honored the debutantes, pages, page escorts and others.
Luncheon at Crystal Grill
Honoring six of the season’s debutantes, a luncheon was held on Dec. 27, the day before the Presentation and Ball, at the Crystal Grill in downtown Greenwood.
Table centerpieces were fresh Christmas greenery and red holly berries in crystal vases paired with white flickering votive candles.
The debutantes each received as a memento a glazed ceramic ornament in the shape of a debutante wearing a pearl necklace and a white ball gown accented with gold and, on the reverse, engraved with “SDA” and “2018.” A note accompanying the gift explained that every dress is unique, just like the debutantes who wear them.
Honorees were Jessica Amis Basinger of Grenada, Elizabeth Mitchell Cossar of Senatobia, Courtney Adele Johnson of Madison, Anna Carson Tyner of Clarksdale, Natalie Grace Yandell of Chicago and Sarah Clifton Yandell of Memphis, Tennessee.
Honoring their daughters with the luncheon were Mrs. David Ray Basinger, Mrs. George Payne Cossar III, Mrs. Henry Stephen Johnson, Mrs. Robert Michael Tyner Jr., Mrs. Yerger Clifton Yandell and Mrs. William McBride Yandell III.
Winter Dance at Historic Elks Building
On Dec. 27, the evening before the Presentation and Ball, pages and page escorts enjoyed a winter-themed dance at the Historic Elks Building in downtown Greenwood.
Fresh-cut Christmas trees positioned around the ballroom upstairs carried out the Winter Wonderland theme, decorated in silver with white twinkle lights.
Guests snacked on pizza, chips and cookies as they visited with each other, played games and danced through the evening to the music provided by DJ GLOtron of Starkville.
Pages honored with the dance included Abby Bishop Alderman of Greenwood; Eva Ruth Childers of Oxford; Ali Wynn Riley of New Madrid, Missouri; and Emily Sanders Shelton and Elizabeth Hope Sullivan, both of Oxford.
Page escort honorees were Robert Walton Bell of Duncan; Andrew Ross Brock of Greenwood; Joseph Thomas Buchanan, William McEwan Fountain and Henry Hasselman Green, all of Oxford; Bradley Benjamin Lovelady Jr. and Solon Alexander Scott IV, both of Greenwood; and Lewis Wynne Smith IV of Oxford.
Hosting the party for their sons and daughters were Mr. and Mrs. James Howard Alderman, Mr. Brian Wayne Childers, Ms. Delia Childers, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Paul Riley, Mr. and Mrs. David Wayne Shelton, Dr. and Mrs. Warren Ware Sullivan III, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Alden Bell III, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Donald Brock Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Michael Buchanan, Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas Fountain IV, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson McCallum Green, Mr. Bradley Benjamin Lovelady, Mrs. Fonda Lovelady, Mr. and Mrs. Solon Alexander Scott III and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Wynne Smith III.
Master of Ceremonies Party
On Dec. 27, the evening before the Presentation and Ball, the Southern Debutante Assembly held a cocktail buffet honoring Dr. James Lee Valentine of Marion, the master of ceremonies for the Presentation and Ball, at the Historic Elks Building in downtown Greenwood.
Table centerpieces reflected a winter woodland theme in gold and silver trees of varying heights. Underneath each tree was an assortment of deer sheds and golden pinecones surrounded by flocked greenery. Guests enjoyed light hors d’oeuvres as they visited from table to table.
Receiving guests with Dr. and Mrs. Valentine was Mrs. Richard Cunliffe McBee III of Greenwood, assembly advisor.
Cooking Party at Viking Training Center
On Dec. 28, the day of the Presentation and Ball, the pages and page escorts were treated to a luncheon event at the Viking Training Center on Main Street in Greenwood.
Invited to “dress for a mess,” the teens had fun learning cooking techniques and eating what they cooked. The instructor led the group, several of whom volunteered to season, chop, stir and serve, in preparing pasta with hand-rolled meatballs and tomato sauce, green beans, parmesan garlic bread and one-bite chocolate strawberry pies. After enjoying the meal they had made, the honorees and their guests each received copies of all the recipes they followed, as well as a T-shirt to commemorate this entertaining event.
Pages honored with the luncheon were Ally Reid Doiron of Vicksburg; Katherine Elisabeth Frazer of Memphis, Tennessee; Browning Elease Hughes of Starkville; Callie Frances Hutton of Memphis; Stella Pope Norris of Columbus; and Skye Louise Sanders of Gulfport.
Page escorts honored included William Montgomery Dulaney of Germantown, Tennessee; John Prowell Hairston of Columbus; Henry Van McCormack of Tupelo; Williams Poindexter Morphis of Meridian; and John Emery Sawyer V of Denver, Colorado.
Parents hosting the event were Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Logue Doiron Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Preston Bennett Frazer, Mr. and Mrs. David Lebby Hughes Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas Hutton Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Brock Eugene Collins Norris, the Reverend Patrick Wayne Sanders and Mrs. Sanders, Dr. Betty Jo and Mrs. Theresa Purvis Dulaney, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Edward Hairston III, Mr. Peyton Carnes McCormack, Mrs. Guest McCormack, Mr. Emmett Marcellus Morphis, Ms. Lee Graham and Mr. and Mrs. John Emery Sawyer IV.
Brunch at The Alluvian
On Dec. 28, the day of the Presentation and Ball, the debutantes and guests gathered in the Delta Room at The Alluvian in downtown Greenwood for a Southern brunch of chicken and waffles.
Tables, covered with white linen cloths, were centered with arrangements of soft pink cabbage roses and pink hydrangeas and tulips with seasonal greenery in a variety of silver goblets. Each debutante received as a memento an engraved mint julep cup.
The debutantes honored with the brunch included Kendall Glenda Causey of Jackson, Kathryn Grace Childers of Oxford, Callie Frances Hall of Madison, Lucille Kelley Corneille Heaton of Clarksdale, Bonner Elizabeth Hughes of Starkville and Ann-Clayton Sandidge O’Keefe of Clarksdale.
Honoring their daughters were Mrs. Arthur Kendall Causey Jr., Ms. Delia Childers, Mrs. Stanton Allen Hall, Mrs. William Cliff Heaton, Mrs. David Lebby Hughes Jr. and Mrs. Kinchen Hilliary O’Keefe Jr.
