Manna From Heaven Honors Community Matriarchs at First Queen’s Ball
Photo of Dora Conaway and Jean Ritter by Monique Howard.
BY MONIQUE HOWARD | For AC JosepH Media
PITTSGROVE — On May 9, Manna From Heaven celebrated the lives and enduring legacies of family matriarchs, wives, and pillars of the community during the inaugural Queen’s Ball.
The event took place in a spacious dining room adorned with blue floral arrangements at The Grove at Centerton. Just ahead of Mother’s Day, thirty-eight queens—each 80 years or older—were honored with poems, songs, and heartfelt speeches in an evening dedicated to commemorating their golden years.
Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly was in attendance and shared words of encouragement.
Each honoree wore a white sash and a sparkling tiara and received a multicolored rose bouquet.
Angelia Edwards, founder and executive director of Manna From Heaven, was inspired to create the Queen’s Ball after her mother, Martha Price, experienced a brief illness.
That moment moved Edwards not only to honor her own mother but also to provide others with a special opportunity to celebrate women of the same generation in a pre–Mother’s Day tribute.
Surrounded by loved ones, each of the honored women offered brief words of gratitude to family, friends, and supporters.
“This is a beautiful gathering, and as one of the queens, we thank you all so much for coming out this evening just to let us know you’re there,” said Mary Hadley.
“It’s so important that you’re here. As we get older, we’ve done our job—we’ve worked with you, walked with you, cried with you. And to have this evening where you say ‘thank you’ is awesome.”
Each queen was warmly applauded and complimented after speaking.
“Thank you, Miss Angie and Manna From Heaven, for including me in the midst of these awesome queens,” said Syvella DuBose.
“I would also like to thank and acknowledge my wonderful family—but first and foremost, I thank my Lord and Savior for all the things He has done and continues to do in my life.”
She added, “It is evident that He has been good to all of these ladies here tonight. So, thank you, Lord, and thank you to Manna From Heaven and everyone who came out to support us. Enjoy the moment and the rest of your life. P.S. — Please try to read Psalm 27 daily. God bless each and every one of you.”
Each queen’s life story stood as a testament to a life well lived and served as an inspiration to all in attendance.
“I want to thank God, who is the head of my life,” said Gussie Price. “Back in the day, my life was like a ship without a sail—but God was my anchor. I never thought I would see eighty years old. I want to thank my family, my friends, and my daughters who are here tonight. I just want to tell you that God has been so good to me.”
Sadly, one of the honorees, Virginia Seabrook, passed away before she could attend the Queen’s Ball. Her daughter, Shawna French, accepted the honor on her behalf with a loving tribute.
The full list of the Queen’s Ball honorees included:
- Justine Adamson
- Crissa Allen
- Marie Clark
- Dora Conaway
- Ethel Coursey
- Sylvia Dawson
- Veronica Dorrall
- Syvella DuBose
- Elaine Duncan-Gray
- Lucy Fair
- Geraldyn Foster
- Elaine Frantz
- Alberta Frazier
- Mary Hadley
- Dorothea Hall
- Nina Harden
- Bernice Hazel
- Pearl Hull
- Williamae Latimore
- Lillian Lister
- Michelle Loatman
- Cola McClellan Mamie Miles
- Gloria Morgan
- Joyce Nutt
- Gussie Price
- Martha Price
- Jean Ritter
- Mollie Sanders
- Thelma Scott
- Stella Sharp
- Lynette Taylor
- Veronica Tetz
- Christine Williams
- Claudetta Williams
- Maxine Young
- Helen Zigler
- Virginia Seabrook
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