Our Most Recent Charity Ball Memories
2020 Charity Ball
King & Queen
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Susan Arrington Coffin is the daughter of Nancy and George Arrington.
Susan is a graduate of Lamar School and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Mississippi. At Ole Miss, Susan was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She has continued to support her alma maters by serving on the Tri-Delta House Corporation Board for the past 12 years, and also served as President of Parents at Lamar School During her time in Junior Auxiliary, Susan was instrumental in carrying the vision and hearing screening program to Lamar School. As a Lifetime Member of Junior Auxiliary, she continues to support our mission in Meridian and Lauderdale County, including helping build Jeannie’s Place at Plant Playground. Susan serves on the fundraising committee for Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian and is a member of Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian-Partners. Susan is a member of Heritage Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She served on the Gala committee for the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience. Susan is a former member of the Meridian Symphony Board. She has served as Chairman for Art in the Park and on the committee for Lauderdale County Relay for Life. She is a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Susan recently retired after working 30 years as a Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist for East Mississippi-West Alabama Industrial Hearing Service. She and her husband, Bob, of thirty-three years have two children, Merry Grace Bussey (Anderson) and Robert Coffin (Vaughn), and one grandson, Robert Anderson Bussey. Susan's community involvement is a reflection of her passion for Meridian/Lauderdale County and her belief in the community’s extraordinary potential! |
Archie R. McDonnell, Jr is a native of Meridian and in his youth earned the prestigious achievements of Eagle Scout and the God & Country commendation. A graduate of Meridian High School, Archie attended The University of Mississippi, attaining a Bachelor of Business Administration, Majoring in Banking and Finance.
Archie has spent his professional career with Citizen National Bank, working there for 44 years. Since 1999, he has served as the bank’s President or CEO. His professional affiliations include the Bank Presidents Roundtable and the Alliance for Growth. Archie has served as Chairman and Board Member of both the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation and the Community Health Improvement Network, the Navy League, the American Red Cross, Aldersgate Retirement Community, and the Meridian Symphony Association. He is an active member of Central United Methodist Church. Archie has received multiple professional and community awards over the years including the Hartley D. Peavey Entrepreneurial Excellence Award and the Al Rosenbaum Lifetime Achievement Award. Archie and his wife Mary (formerly McCauley) of 44 years have three children, April Clodfelter (Alan), Mary Frances Snyder (Ben), and Reeder McDonnell. They have six grandchildren: Caden, Addison, Mary Jordan and Reed Clodfelter, and Nora and Benji Snyder. Archie McDonnell’s commitment to bettering our community is evident in all that he does through his professional and personal efforts! |
2019 Charity Ball
2019 King & Queen
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2019 Royal Court
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Clair Griffis Huff was born in Meridian, Mississippi. She is a graduate of Meridian High School and the University of Mississippi. Clair currently serves as the Meridian Public School District Arts Coordinator, an outgrowth of the Any Given Child/Meridian Initiative. She served for 17 years as Lead Teacher and Whole Schools Project Director at Poplar Springs Elementary which has been recognized as a Model School within the Whole Schools Initiative for the past 7 years. Recognized by MAAE as Outstanding Project Director as well as the Meridian Junior Auxiliary as an Outstanding Life Member, Clair holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from MS College and a BS degree from the University of MS. With over 24 years of experience in public education, Clair serves on the Any Given Child/Meridian Community Arts Team seeking to provide access and equity in the arts to all children in the Meridian Public School District. In our community, Clair serves on the MS Distinguished Young Woman Board of Directors and the Annual Program Committee as Host Family Chairperson. She serves on the United Way Woman’s Leadership Council specifically promoting literacy through the Power of the Purse event which funds Imagination Library for Lauderdale County. Clair currently serves on the Meridian Council for the Arts and the MLT Youth Committee. She has previously served 2 terms on the board of the Meridian Little Theatre and served as President, Vice President and Mini Grants Chairperson of Junior Auxiliary of Meridian. The Huffs are active members of Central United Methodist Church. Clair and her husband, Brad, are the parents of four adult children… Sarah Margaret, Laura, Meme and Miles. In her spare time, she loves gardening, reading, exercising, Ole Miss sports and the arts!
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Lee Valentine was born in Newton, MS and graduated from Decatur High School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi, his graduate degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. Since 2014, Lee has served as the Director of Medical Education at East Central HealthNet Rural Family Medicine Residency Program, and the Medical Director of the Meridian Free Clinic. He also currently serves on active staff of Rush Foundation Hospital, John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital, and Laird Hospital.
Lee is a member of The National Board of Examiners of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, the American Osteopathic Association, has served two terms as President of the Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and the Mississippi State Medical Association. He has served as the Chairman of the Department and Adjunct Professor of Family Practice at William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, been a board member of Boy Scouts of America, and a board member and volunteer physician at the Meridian Free Clinic. For 10 years, Lee served as a Lieutenant Colonel Flight Surgeon and Medical Officer with the 186th Air Refueling Wing of the Mississippi Air National Guard. He has an Instrument rating as a private pilot and has judged numerous Mississippi Junior Miss Programs. He was awarded the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians Master Preceptor Award, The William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine “Shoe Leather” Award for service beyond the call of duty, and the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award. Lee and his wife, Helen, have three children, Patton (Rachel), Nelson (Liza), and Mary Lela (Adam). They have one granddaughter, Ellie, and another granddaughter on the way. They are active members of Central United Methodist Church. |