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Beautiful, bold Queens of Zion

Category: Lifestyle Published on Thursday, 05 November 2009 09:56 Written by Debbie Norrell

On Sept. 26 the beautiful, bold, queens of Zion walked the red carpet at Wesley Center AMEZ Church. Collectively, these ladies raised more than $4,100 for the Allegheny Conference Worker’s 11th Annual Observance.

The roster of queens included Deanna Crosby (Trinity AMEZ), Ellen S. Franklin (Mt. Pisgah AMEZ), Debra Hairston (Holliday Memorial AMEZ), Stephanie Jenks (Community of Grace AMEZ), Carolyn G. King (First Cambria AMEZ), Thelma Russell (Wright Memorial AME Zion), Donna Smith (Homewood AMEZ) and Marvis Wallace (St. James AMEZ).

BEAUTIFUL, BOLD QUEENS OF ZION

Reverend Eileen O. Smith of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in West Newton, Pa., served as a wonderful mistress of ceremonies while Rev. LaMont Jones Jr., Ruthie King and yours truly served as judges. The ladies were judged on fashion, service and finance.

Thelma Russell was crowned Allegheny AMEZ Conference Queen in the categories of service and finance. Russell of Wright Memorial AMEZ in Washington, Pa., raised $1,000. Marvis Wallace of St. James AMEZ in Indiana, Pa., where Rev. Hubert Redd is pastor, took the fashion crown.

TAKING THE QUEEN WALK— Thelma Russell.

Wallace was elegant in a black gown with an inverted pleat lined in silver. Her matching silver pillbox was the perfect compliment to her ensemble. Reverend Joseph D. Lewis and the Wesley Center Male Chorus enhanced the program with musical medleys.

Conference president, Toni Phinisee, put her creative touch on the program and decorated the hall with beautiful portraits of Black queens. Mary Chapman is the Pittsburgh District president; Rev. Stanley C. Dennison, presiding elder, Braddock District; Rev. Glenn G. Grayson, host pastor/presiding elder, Pittsburgh District; Ingrid F. Hunter, missionary supervisor and The Right Rev. Louis Hunter Sr., presiding bishop.