Aphrodite Court 2017
HESTIA ~ Candi Parker, goddess of the hearth, was born in Pensacola, Florida. She owns a local family funeral home and worked in Audio Video Installations with her husband. Candi, has served as an officer of the Krewe of Aphrodite, Maids of Luna and Fiesta Frolickers, and is a member of the Les Harlequins and Bodacious Belles. Candi enjoys spending time with her husband, who she affectionately calls "The Enabler", family and "framily", and shopping, and dancing. One of Candi's favorite activities is the consumption of a margarita or two, or three.
ARES ~ Ray McDonald, the Olympian god of war, was born in Brewton, Alabama, and had a creative career path owning businesses working in insurance and banking, as well as serving 13 years in the National Guard. He enjoys everything he done to the fullest, just as he does his "honey do" projects. In his spare time, he enjoys writing songs while playing his guitars, shooting guns, and spending time with his family and friends. He is married to the love of his life, and is the father to three daughters, and Papa Ray to his 3 grandchildren.
HERA, Connie Bednar, the Queen of the Olympian gods, was born in Mobile, Alabama. She has her Masters in Healthcare Administration and is employed at the Escambia County Community Clinic. She has served as an officer and past President of the Krewe of Aphrodite, a court member for Maids of Luna, Les Harlequin, and the Krewe of Lafitte. HERA enjoys kayaking, FSU tailgating with friends, and gem mining. Lately, a great deal of her time has been spent keeping up with the newest household member. Lexie, or "T-Lex" as they call her, is an adorable mix of golden retriever, white swiss sheppard, and self-guided cruise missile.
ZEUS ~ Gary James, the supreme deity of the gods, was born in San Diego, California, and graduated from the University of West Florida and Troy State University where he received his Master's Degree. This year, he is celebrating his 46th year working for the Escambia County School District where he is the Administrative Dean at Jim Bailey Middle School. He has also served as the coach for Bailey Middle School basketball, swimming, and track. ZEUS is an avid FSU fan whose father, Rhett, played FSU basketball. He has over 25 years involvement with baseball at Myrtle Grove and Escambia High School, where is oldest son, Ryan, is the Athletic Director. ZEUS now enjoys being a KOL Pirate, going to functions with his wife of 36 years, and spending time with his four grand children.
ZEUS ~ Gary James, the supreme deity of the gods, was born in San Diego, California, and graduated from the University of West Florida and Troy State University where he received his Master's Degree. This year, he is celebrating his 46th year working for the Escambia County School District where he is the Administrative Dean at Jim Bailey Middle School. He has also served as the coach for Bailey Middle School basketball, swimming, and track. ZEUS is an avid FSU fan whose father, Rhett, played FSU basketball. He has over 25 years involvement with baseball at Myrtle Grove and Escambia High School, where is oldest son, Ryan, is the Athletic Director. ZEUS now enjoys being a KOL Pirate, going to functions with his wife of 36 years, and spending time with his four grand children.
DEMETER, Debbie Brown, goddess of fertility and harvest was born in Brewton, Alabama. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of West Florida, and is a retired teacher of the Santa Rosa County School District. She is the grandmother of four grandchildren who affectionately call her "Tutu". Debbie is serving as the current President of Les Harlequins, and making "forever friends" is very dear to her heart. Everyone who knows Debbie, knows she loves Disney and all things Disney, where she and her fiancé, go every chance they get whenever they are not riding bikes on the beach.
DIONYSUS, Rob Bell, the god of fun and wine is a 5th generation Pensacolian who graduated from Tate High School and Pensacola State College. He is a retired Police Sergeant with the Pensacola Police Department, and is a member of the Krewe of Lafitte. DIONYSUS is a Parrot-head and enjoys going to every Jimmy Buffett concert he can. DIONYSUS is most proud of his beautiful wife and 4 children. When he is not with his family or attending a Jimmy Buffett concert, you can find him sitting on the first base line at the Blue Wahoo's stadium cheering on the baseball team.
DIONYSUS, Rob Bell, the god of fun and wine is a 5th generation Pensacolian who graduated from Tate High School and Pensacola State College. He is a retired Police Sergeant with the Pensacola Police Department, and is a member of the Krewe of Lafitte. DIONYSUS is a Parrot-head and enjoys going to every Jimmy Buffett concert he can. DIONYSUS is most proud of his beautiful wife and 4 children. When he is not with his family or attending a Jimmy Buffett concert, you can find him sitting on the first base line at the Blue Wahoo's stadium cheering on the baseball team.
ATHENA, Karen Harris, the virgin goddess of wisdom, war, and peace was born in Mobile, Alabama. She has a BS Degree in MIS from the University of West Florida and has been working for the Santa Rosa County School Board as a network analyst for the past 27 years, where it is her hope that she can retire in three years! Athena's greatest blessing in life are her two children, Morgan and Michael, son-in-law Mike, and her perfect Pepper. She is a current court member for the Krewe of Lafitte, a member of the Santa Rosa Leadership class of 2019, and a member of the Blackwater Pirates. Athena's hobbies include reading, playing with her dog Pepper, spending time on the Blackwater River with friends, and flying places with her husband in his RV7 airplane.
POSEIDON, Mike McCombs, the god of the sea, was born in Milton, Florida and currently resides in West Harold, Florida. He is a graduate of Milton High School and Pensacola Junior College and is the owner of a local electric company. POSEIDON is a member of the Krewe of Lafitte where he was honored to be Jean Lafitte the 60th, and has also been a past Hadji Shrine Potentate. POSEIDON is very proud to say that he is the Poppy to his granddaughter, Emma, and "Baby" to his loving wife.
ATHENA, Karen Harris, the virgin goddess of wisdom, war, and peace was born in Mobile, Alabama. She has a BS Degree in MIS from the University of West Florida and has been working for the Santa Rosa County School Board as a network analyst for the past 27 years, where it is her hope that she can retire in three years! Athena's greatest blessing in life are her two children, Morgan and Michael, son-in-law Mike, and her perfect Pepper. She is a current court member for the Krewe of Lafitte, a member of the Santa Rosa Leadership class of 2019, and a member of the Blackwater Pirates. Athena's hobbies include reading, playing with her dog Pepper, spending time on the Blackwater River with friends, and flying places with her husband in his RV7 airplane.
POSEIDON, Mike McCombs, the god of the sea, was born in Milton, Florida and currently resides in West Harold, Florida. He is a graduate of Milton High School and Pensacola Junior College and is the owner of a local electric company. POSEIDON is a member of the Krewe of Lafitte where he was honored to be Jean Lafitte the 60th, and has also been a past Hadji Shrine Potentate. POSEIDON is very proud to say that he is the Poppy to his granddaughter, Emma, and "Baby" to his loving wife.
PERSEPHONE, Sue George, goddess of fertility and Queen of the Underworld was born in Lovettsville, Virginia, and has been practicing medicine as an OB/GYN for 26 years where she has delivered lots of babies and has taken great care of lots of mommas. She is happily married to her spouse, and is most proud of her 3 children, Kasey who is a nurse in labor and delivery, Kelly who is an athletic trainer, and Kristopher who just graduated. Persephone is eagerly awaiting grandchildren. Tick tock, tick tock! In her spare time, she loves the beach and travel where she has one continent left to conquer. She is a member of the Les Harlequins, Maids of Luna, and Fiesta Frolickers.
HADES, Roger Garrett, God of the Underworld, was born in Aquadilla, Puerto Rico. He claims Texas as his home but spent the majority of his life in Louisiana before moving to Pensacola in 2013. He is a member of the Krewe of Lafitte and Karnival Kavaliers. In his spare time, Hades enjoys working on hot rods, teaching a conceal and carry handgun course, riding his motorcycle, and of course spending time with the family. He is a retired 24 year Air Force veteran and currently works civil service for the department of Air Force on NAS Pensacola as a T-6 phase mechanic. HADES recently celebrated his 14th wedding anniversary to his lovely wife. They delight in their four legged children, and recently celebrated the engagement of their Weimaraner, Jinxie Jinx, to Texas Jack Superman Skipper.
HADES, Roger Garrett, God of the Underworld, was born in Aquadilla, Puerto Rico. He claims Texas as his home but spent the majority of his life in Louisiana before moving to Pensacola in 2013. He is a member of the Krewe of Lafitte and Karnival Kavaliers. In his spare time, Hades enjoys working on hot rods, teaching a conceal and carry handgun course, riding his motorcycle, and of course spending time with the family. He is a retired 24 year Air Force veteran and currently works civil service for the department of Air Force on NAS Pensacola as a T-6 phase mechanic. HADES recently celebrated his 14th wedding anniversary to his lovely wife. They delight in their four legged children, and recently celebrated the engagement of their Weimaraner, Jinxie Jinx, to Texas Jack Superman Skipper.
ARTEMIS, Brittany Baumert, the goddess of the hunt is a 6th generation Pensacolian who graduated from Pensacola High School and Santa Fe College, and is employed by Jack Moore and Company. She considers her favorite hobby to be learning new crafts and hobbies; she's always making something. ARTEMIS is a past Board and court member of the Maids of Luna, current President of Fiesta Frolickers, and champion of her Fantasy Football League. She is married to the love of her life.
HERMES, Richard Foote, messenger of the gods was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and is employed with Merchant Management, LLC. He is a member of the Krewe of Lafitte and served as Float Captain in 2008-2009. He has been the Grand Knight for Council 8959 Fairhope for Knights of Columbus. HERMES is most proud of the great job his wife has done in raising their two successful children, Kimberly, who works for Shell Oil configuring hardware and software on oil rigs, and Richard, Jr. who is the Director of Nursing for the Mitchell Cancer Center in Mobile, Alabama, and is also a Lt. Colonel in the United States Air Force. His wife of 48 years is still working on raising him, but he refuses to grow up so she has her hands full!
ALETHEA, Miss Alessa Johnson, is nine years old and was born in Pensacola, FL. She is in the 3rd grade at West Pensacola Elementary School where she has maintained straight A's and perfect attendance since Pre-K and is in the PATS program. For the past 3 years, ALETHEA has achieved the rank of red belt in martial arts and will be testing for her 1st degree black belt later this year. She is a mentor and instructor in Junior Leadership Program. In her spare time, she loves playing on her computer and playing board games with her sister.
Miss Alessa Johnson is the great granddaughter of Butch and Lola Correll and daughter of David and Celia Johnson.
IRIS, Miss Christie White, is a 6th grade student at Argon Middle School in Houston, TX and would like to attend the University of Florida after high school. GO GATORS! She enjoys singing in the school choir, playing volleyball, swimming, and is striving to be the next "Cake Boss". IRIS'S most enjoys spending summers with her Mimi and PawPaw.
Miss Christie White is the granddaughter of Tommy and Belinda Brown, the niece of Robert and Laura Brown, and the daughter of Jeremy and Sheri White.
TRITON, Master Dylan Harrison, is 12 years old and is in the 6th grade gifted program at Bailey Middle School. TRITON is an active participant in the Science Olympiad club and the school orchestra where he plays the cello. In his spare time, he enjoys playing
soccer, swimming, hanging out with friends, and playing video games. TRITON plans to study software development when he attends THE Ohio State University!
Master Dylan Harrison is the son of Mark and Nekola Harrison and the grandson of former Goddess Rusty Harrison.
ASCELEPIUS, Master Merritt Tanner Morris, is 7 years old and is a first grade student at A.K. Suter Elementary School. He enjoys outside activities and camping. ASCELEPIUS loves to fish with his dad, whether it be on a boat, dock, bridge, or the rocks on Scenic Highway. He loves hanging out with his Uncle Brian where they do "cool stuff" together.
Master Merritt Tanner Morris is the grandson of Cathy Morris and the son of Tanner and Rachael Morris.
