6 Awards Were Presented on June 28, 2025 as Part of “Natchez Celebrates The Blooms”
The Downtown Natchez Alliance (DNA) held their annual “Sallie Junkin Ballard Keep Natchez Blooming” Awards once again on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Smoot’s Grocery in Downtown Natchez.
The audience was welcomed by Norma West, the president of the Board for DNA and Marty Junkin Siebert on behalf of the family of Sallie Junkin Ballard, and Leah Hunter, DNA Executive Director, emceed the awards ceremony.
The 2025 Honorees are:
- Phebe Heard Winters for her work with the Garden Lovers of Natchez, Angels On The Bluff, and the Natchez City Cemetery.
- Sabrina Doré was presented with a Placemaking Award for firing up community spirit along the Riverfront through Miss-Lou Fireworks since 2018.
- Joseph A. C. Smith was presented with a Placemaking Award for his work creating culture, commerce, and community at the MLK Triage through BlackNatchez.org.
- Master Gardner Mary Williams for cultivating beauty, pride, and seasonal magic along city sidewalks at the Natchez Convention Center for over 20 years.
- David and Betty Paradise were presented with a Legacy Award for their generous stewardship and enduring commitment to the people and places of Natchez.
- Zion Chapel AME Church was presented with a Legacy Award for their work with the upcoming Hiram Revels Plaza, a new park public part at the gateway to Historic Downtown Natchez.
