Tribute to Mary Shepard
April 6, 2008
Master of Ceremonies: C.Sade Turnipseed
Director, Education & Community Outreach of B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center
Photographer: Landry Prichard
Coronation
Presentation of Flowers: Allan Hammons, Director of Marketing, B.B. King Museum
Robing: Carver A. Randle, Sr., Personal friend and lawyer for new owner-BB King, LLC
Septor: Edna Robinson, long-time Club Ebony employee
Crowning: Brianna King, 9-yr old Granddaughter of Mrs. Shepard
B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center will feature Mary Frances Shepard as
“The Queen of the Jooks” announcement made by C. Sade Turnipseed…………
Dorothy Moore Personal Letter:
Laconna Shay King, Daughter of Mary Shepard
Book gifts *(Personal friends and persons whose careers are based and respected
around our blues history…)
*Scott Barretta: Images of the Blues by Lee Tanner & Lee Hildebrand:
(Black & White photos of bluesmen from the 1940’s-1990’s w/ a younger BBKing on cover)
Wanda Clark, Associate Project Administrator of the Mississippi Blues Trail
*Dick Waterman – Personalized his latest book – B.B. King’s Treasures:
Jackie Winter, Vice President, Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola
Living Blues Magazine: Appreciation Award for the three decades of operating the Mississippi
Delta Blues Club, Club Ebony, and for welcoming B.B. King Home every
time he returns to Indianola.
Rodger Simpson, Indianola Police Department
Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola – Member Emeritus & Life Member Award:
Carol Marble, Indianola Blues Society Founder & Past President
Proclamation from the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors:
Shelia Waldrup, Incoming Indianola Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Proclamation from Congressman Bennie Thompson:
Carol Smith, Supporter of Bennie Thompson & Friend of Mrs. Shepard
Proclamation from Governor Haley Barbour – Listing Mary Shepard’s accomplishments in promoting and
preserving the blues heritage of this state as well as the Mississippi Delta. The Governor proclaimed April 6, 2008
as Mary Frances Shepard Day: Janet Webb, President, Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola
Lady Terminators Appreciation Award and Trophy:
Auga Singleton, Representative for the Ladies & the Men’s Pool Teams
that play & compete at the Club…
Thanks to Sunflower Food Store for the sheet cake.
Thanks to the Mississippi Delta Blues Society of Indianola
and all those who helped make this day happen!
Queen Mary
By Amy Evans
So yesterday was Mary Shepard's last day as owner of Club Ebony. They were calling it a retirement party, but it was really a tribute to the place and, most of all, the woman. Mary Shepard was crowned "Queen of the Jook" and sat in a throne at the foot of the bandstand to receive flowers and gifts and words from friends. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour even issued a proclamation, naming April 6, 2008 Mary Shepard Day. There was music. There was cake. And yes, a few tears.
Even though Ms. Shepard is no longer at the helm of this legendary blues club, she'll still be a fixture. She's been given the title of honorary griot for the soon-to-open B. B. King Museum down the street, and you can be sure she'll be popping into her old club from time to time to hear some of those down home blues. And, as she joked to the crowd yesterday, she's got a little something else up her sleeve.
Mary Shepard may have retired, but she's sure not going to quit.
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www.amycevans.com
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