The Duncan Banner

Local News

June 10, 2012

Candidates sought for Founder’s Day queen contest

Staff Writer The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Nominations are being sought for the annual Founder’s Day Queen contest, sponsored by the Stephens County Historical Society and Museum.

Tuesday is the deadline for the nominations to be submitted. Those must include a biography of the nominee, not to exceed two pages length. They should be delivered to the museum in Fuqua Park between 1 and 5 p.m. Tuesday.

This is the 28th year for the queen celebration, said Pee Wee Cary, director of the museum.

It began in 1967 with the 75th anniversary of Duncan and Sudie Sharp was the first queen, he noted.

To be nominated, a woman must have lived in Stephens County for at least 50 years and be 85 years or older.

She also must be able to physically participate in the activities which will be on Founder’s Day, Saturday, June 23.

The crowning and celebration will take place at 10:30 a.m. that day at the Antique Market Place and Tea Room.

Previous queens are Sudie Sharp, Clara Davenport, Rovilla Pollard, Velma Taliaferro, Cordia Martin, Minnie Callaway, Bea Arnold, Esther Clelland, Irene Ballard, Maggie Beetch, Louise Hodnett, Ethel Robertson, Eva Dillard, Velma Bailey, Opal Lowry, Mivinda “Oklahoma” Springer Sheets, Hazel Harrell Davis, Helen Kuhn, Pauline Dowlen Duncan, Olive Steward, Evelyn Monds Ely, Doris Stokes, Mary Lois Sampson, Ella Mae Best Howell, Loretta Lewis Howell, Johna Faye Cordell Gray, Marcella Royse Kovar and Estella Bowman.

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