Junior Auxiliary of Batesville held its annual Charity Ball on Saturday, March 2, at the Boothe Event Center. Queen Nettie Rivers and King Dan Blair were crowned as the Royal Couple. 

The winners of King and Queen were nominated, scored, and selected to reign over the 2024 50th Annual Charity Ball based on their involvement in  community and civic activities. They are notably recognized by their community for their leadership and altruistic characteristics. 

Queen Nettie is the wife of the late Joe Rivers. Together they have three sons, Brett, wife Corie, Joel, wife Amy, and Taylor, wife Rebecca. She is the proud “Gigi” of 7 grandchildren, Sonni, Reed, Mac, Ella, Meg, Sims, and Brewer.

Queen Nettie worked for South Panola School District for 35 years teaching hearing impaired and deaf students. She worked part time as a retiree for an additional 7 years and officially retired in 2019. She is an active member of First Methodist Church of Batesville where she has served on the methodist women committee, chancel choir, handbell choir, children’s coordinator and choir director, VBS Director and Music Leader, worship committee board member, staff parish committee, children’s committee, Wonderful Wednesday teacher, chairman of the daycare board and member of the Apron Team. 

She is a proud Life Member of the Junior Auxiliary of Batesville. During her active membership she served on the executive board as President, 1st and 2nd Vice President, Treasurer and Projects chairman. She was the charity ball auction and decorations chairman and adopt-a-family service project chairman. 

Other past and present civic club involvements include serving on the board of directors at the Panola Playhouse, present member of Batesville Garden Club, and United Voices of Praise. She has volunteered at Springfest, art mart, the grace place, and food pantry. She volunteered for countless years within South Panola School District by serving on the spring sports booster club, band booster club, helping lead the Kool the Kids campaign which funded air conditioning for all SP schools and on the South Panola Foundation for Public Education for 5 years serving on the executive board as secretary and President. 

 During her career  she was awarded Outstanding Educator of the Year at Batesville Elementary School in 1991 and later again at South Panola High School in 2012.

King Dan and his wife Rachel, have 4 children, Collins (15), Rosie (7), Reed (7), and Allie (3). He is an active member of First Baptist Church of Batesville where he has served on the audio visual committee, as a deacon, nursery volunteer, Sunday school teacher, and Jr High youth teacher. 

Dan is the Vice President of manufacturing of Batesville Tooling and Design where he has been employed for 23 years servicing medical and tooling needs across the united states. His professional achievements include being  featured in two national magazine publications “Mold Making Technology” and “Competitive Mold Maker”.  He was the featured  guest speaker  on the national level at a die and mold expo in Detroit Michigan. He has been the featured guest speaker on the local level representing BTD.

King Dan has served with The Gideons International, is on the board of directors for North Delta School, and is a past member of the rotary club. His volunteering efforts include serving as a Cub Scout leader, sponsoring Gateway to the Delta, Race for Grace 5k,  JP Hudson team sponsor, annual sponsor for Paddle for Panola and is an avid supporter of the Panola Playhouse. 

King Dan is passionate about serving in mission work.  He has sponsored mission trips to Nigeria, India, and Honduras.  He was the special project leader for Mission to Nigeria, Africa. He has led mission report talks at both First Baptist Church of Batesville and to the Joy Club at Hernando Baptist Church.