The Krewe of Elks held its 54th annual coronation and carnival ball on Saturday, February 8 at the Elks Lodge in Hattiesburg with the theme, Welcome to The Cotton Club. Gangsters and prohibition were the main emphasis of this year’s celebrations under the leadership of Carnival Ball Chair, Jennifer Ward. The newly crowned monarchs were King Elk LIV, Rusty Pittman, and Queen Elk LIV, Tina Pickering.
King LIV, Russell “Rusty” Dan Pittman Jr. is from Beaumont, MS. He was born in Hattiesburg, MS to Russell and Peggy Porter Pittman. Rusty has been married to Linda Ellis Pittman for 33 years. They have three children, Jeremy, Brandon and Devin. Rusty has six grandchildren, Abbie, Ethan, Bransen, Harley and Maverick Pittman and Jude Henry.
Our King graduated from Beaumont High School in 1979 and is a member of Kittrell Congregation Church. Rusty attended Pearl River Junior College where he obtained his Associate’s Degree in Welding. He has worked in the construction industry most of his adult life. For the past 10 years, he has been employed by G. A. West & Co., a general industrial contracting company with its main office in Creola, AL King Elk LIV began his career at G. A. West as Superintendent of Mechanical Maintenance and currently serves as their AN/MS Calvert Site Manager located in Calvert, AL.
Rusty has been a member of BPOE #599 since 2012 and served one term on the Board of Directors. He served as Duke in the courts of King Elk XLVII, King Elk XLIX and King Elk LIII. He is the nephew of Queen Elk XIX, Patsy Hawkins and King Elk XL, Denny Hawkins.
King Elk LIV’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, boating and spending time spoiling his grandchildren. He is actively involved with Sand Ridge Hunting Club where he served as President for 10 years and currently serves as Vice President.
The Royal Court composed of six dukes and six duchesses took center stage.
Duke Shane Stewart and Duchess Whitney Nobles portrayed Giovanni “Pappa Johnny” Torrid and Donnie Kate “Ma” Barker. Duke Johnathon Stanberry and Duchess Pamela Hudson entertained the crowd as Charles Authur “Pretty Boy” Floyd and Marie “Pretty Pants Bandit” Baker. Embodying Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Virginia “The Flamingo” Hill, Duke Robert Swilley and Duchess Monica Stanberry sashayed into the ballroom. Duke Brian Stewart and Duchess Dee Herman embodied the infamous John Herbert “Jackrabbit” Dillinger and his devoted girlfriend, Evelyn “Billie” Frechette. Portraying Harry Pierpont and “Madam” Pearl Elliot were Duke Johnny Herman and Duchess Amber Stewart. Reenacting the lives of George “Baby Face” Nelson and his wife, Helen Wawrzyniak Gillis were Duke Chad Pickering and Duchess Trisha Stewart.
Two special people, Lord and Lady Elk were identified as Ken and Casinda Terry. Who better for them to represent than the notorious couple, Bonnie and Clyde. The Royal court was now complete. One remaining of this year’s Royals awaited introduction.
Queen Elk LIV, Tina Scarbrough Pickering, was born in Portsmouth, Virginia to Ronnie and Virgie Scarbrough. She grew up in Marrero, Louisiana and graduated from John Ehret High School. Our Queen attended Eve’s School of Beauty receiving her cosmetology license one year later. She also attended Delta College for Business Management. She pursued a career in retail management for 17 plus years but recently made a career change. Our Queen is employed by long time Elk Members, Steve and Greg Moore, co-owners of Moore Funeral Home. Queen Tina is a Funeral Accounts Administrator in the Hattiesburg location.
Queen Pickering is married to Chad Pickering. She has two daughters, Brittany Dykes and Candice Dykes Rojas and two sons Kevin and Schaun Drury. Our Queen has one stepdaughter, Courtney Pickering Morris and one stepson Shane Pickering. She has two brothers, Jeff and Walter Scarbrough. She also has four grandsons and one granddaughter.
Queen Elk is a member of BPOE #599 and a member of the Krewe of Elks. She served as Duchess to Queen Elk LI in 2017.
Her hobbies include watching New Orleans Saints and LSU football, watching NASCAR, spending time with her family and friends and last but not least, our Queen loves jeeping and pontooning.
The Carnival Ball followed a cocktail party with music provided by Madewood Street Music.
