Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018

Posted 12/08/2012 |  Updated 09/07/2022

Introduction

Since 1953 there have been 33 community celebrations known as Diboll Days that have raised more than $5 million for community projects throughout the city. At the center of the Diboll Booster Club-sponsored events are the queen contestants tirelessly representing their respective teams in vigorous month-long fundraising campaigns. This exhibit is a tribute to the queen contestants of the last 59 years.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1953 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1953: Queen candidates of the very first Diboll Day pose with the newly completed sign marking The Village shopping center, the site of many early Diboll Day activities. From the left are Frances Wells, Mary Virginia Smith, Annette Courtney, Martha Honea, and Ethel Sullivan. Annette Courtney's team would raise the most money and she would be crowned queen. Joe C. Denman Jr. was the first Booster Club president.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1954 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1954: Diboll Day Queen candidates in 1954 were Phyllis Salmon, Lillie Faye McKinney, Elaine Bunch, Pat Jordan, and Lena Dean. Elaine Bunch was crowned queen. Two of Phyllis Salmon's sisters were also queen candidates - Cindy in 1955 and Sarah in 1962. Pat Jordan's sister, Judy, was a candidate in 1957.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1955 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1955: Texas Lieutenant Governor Ben Ramsey crowned Betty George Diboll Day Queen, while Elaine Bunch, 1954 Diboll Day Queen, looked on. The other queen candidates that year were Rose Marie Miranda, Cindy Salmon, and Donnie Weeks. Rose Marie Miranda was the first Hispanic Diboll Day Queen candidate. Betty George (Burchfield)'s granddaughter Ashlei Burchfield was also a candidate, in 2002.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1956 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1956: U. S. Congressman Martin Dies crowned Billie Jean Clark Diboll Day Queen. The other candidates that year were Carolyn Kelly, Betty Brown, and Carolyn Grimes. Billy Jean Clark's sister, Mary Etta, was a candidate in 1960.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1957 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1957: Diboll Day Queen candidates Wanda Rector, Judy Jordan, Beverly Taylor, and Shirley Smith. Beverly Taylor received the crown. This was the last Diboll Day during an odd-numbered year, the Booster Club deciding to make Diboll Day an every-other-year event following 1958 when Pineland began their own town's festivities. Pineland Day, or "Pineland on Parade," went to odd-numbered years beginning in 1959.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1958 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1958: Diboll Day Queen Alice Rains. Candidates not pictured were Vela Stivers, Nell Burchfield, and Betty Hannah. Alice Rains Ashworth donated to The History Center the 1958 crown, which was made by Rose Ellen Saxton and Rhoda Faye Chandler and was worn by some earlier queens.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1960 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1960: Texas Governor Price Daniel spoke at the festivities and posed with the queen candidates. From left to right, Rita Kay Hutto, Joan Wells, Mary Etta Clark, and Queen Jo Ann Hendrick.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1962a Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1962a: Before full integration of Diboll's high schools in fall 1967, the Booster Club held separate Diboll Day Queen competitions for Diboll High School and H.G. Temple High School. Queen candidates from Temple High School in 1962 were, left to right, Johnnie Mae Gambrell, sponsored by Temple High School; Dorothy Jones, sponsored by the Walter Allen Park Committee; and Patricia Moore, sponsored by Temple High School Ex-Students Association. Dorothy Jones was crowned queen.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1962b Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1962b: Diboll Day Queen candidates Michelle Nelson, Sara Salmon, Ginger Horton, and Carol Breazeale pose in their dresses. Michelle Nelson was crowned Queen.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1964a Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1964a: H.G.Temple High School Queen candidates Lula Mae Harris, sponsored by the Parent-Teacher Association; Lois Davis, sponsored by the Ex-Students Club; Cora Nash, sponsored by the Booster Club; and Queen Minnie Jones, sponsored by Temple High School.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1964b Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1964b: Queen candidates back row: Peggy Pouland, Cora Mae Stephens and Suzanne Franks. Front row: Judy Rector, Judy Smith, and Patsy Grimes. Suzanne Franks became queen.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1966 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1966: Diboll Day Queen Martha Brent and her court pose for the crowd. Left to right: Leslie Dickens, Bessie Burkhalter, Sharon Brown, Martha Brent, Kristen Fulmer, Linda Pounds, and Lane Yates. Bessie Burkhalter was the first of three Burkhalter sisters to be Diboll Day Queen candidates - Lisa was crowned queen in 1976 and Suzanne received the crown in 1978. Bessie Burkhalter (Furgurson) is also the first Diboll Day Queen candidate whose daughter was also later a candidate, her daughter Angela Furgurson was a candidate in 1990. Nearly $21,000 was raised this year (1966), the first year to break $10,000. Don Wier was Booster Club president.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1968 Queen Candidates

1968: The contestants of 1968 posed on a sailboat, one of this year's prizes. Left to right are Janice Watson, Linda Chandler, Fran Rich, Deanna Ramsey, Kathy Baskette, and Suzanne Stubblefield. Kathy Baskette received the crown. Fran Rich (McClain)'s daughters were later candidates, April in 1992 and Lisa, crowned queen, in 1998. 1968 winner Kathy Baskette's sister, Suzanne, was a candidate in 1974.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1970 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1970: The Diboll Day Queen candidates posed in front of their float with the 1968 Queen Kathy Baskette. Standing left to right: Baskette, Beth Vodicka, Betty Procella, Gail Saxton, Kathy Hollingsworth, Brenda Minyard, Lisa Denman, and Cindy Murry. The float's designer, Mrs. Minnie Donahoe, is seated on the float. Beth Vodicka was crowned queen. Two other Murry sisters were also queen candidates - Kaye in 1974 and Carole in 1986. Lisa Denman's sister, G.G., was queen in 1982.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1972 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1972: Posing with Engine No. 13 were 1972 Queen Candidates, from left, Susan Trout, Diane Mullins, Jan Burt, Becky Russell, Deborah Washington, and Pam White. Deborah Washington became the first African American Diboll Day Queen after full integration of the high schools in the mid 1960's.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1974 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1974: Left to right are 1974's contestants Suzanne Baskette, Charlotte Harrison, Kaye Murry, Flossy Eddins, Theresa Weatherford, and Dora Huizar. Theresa Weatherford was crowned Queen. Kaye Murry's daughter, Chaney Wyatt, was a contestant in 2004.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1976 Queen Candidates

1976: The nation's bicentennial birthday was the theme for 1976, when candidates proudly sported the red, white, and the blue. Left to right: Lauri Durham, Teresa Cavazos, Queen Lisa Burkhalter, Carolyn Cheavens, Diane Lazarine, and Anne Cook. Carolyn Cheavens' sister, Emily, later was a candidate in 1984.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1978 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1978: Diboll Day Queen candidates Deborah Donahoe, Charlotte Bray, Suzanne Burkhalter, Kim Sample, and Belinda Tatum. Suzanne Burkhalter was crowned queen. Kim Sample was the first of three Sample sisters to be a candidate - Gay was a candidate in 1980 and Amanda Sample received the crown in 2002. More than $105,000 was raised this year (1978), the first to surpass $100,000. Pete Smart was Booster Club president.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1980 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1980: Diboll Day Queen and court Monica Reeves, Gay Sample, Rosiland Blount, Teresa Stribling and Queen Cheryl Schmidt.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1982 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1982: The Diboll Day Queen and court Laurel Hendrick, Andrea Pouland, Anita Coleman, Susan Beene, Queen G.G. Denman, and previous Queen Cheryl Schmidt. Laurel Hendrick's sister, Jennifer, was the 1988 Diboll Day Queen.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1984 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1984: Queen and Court Autumn Capps, Rulaine Capps, Emily Cheavens, Lisa Gordon, and Queen Theresa Sweeny.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1986 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1986: Diboll Day Queen and Court Martha Morales, previous queen Theresa Sweeny, Queen LaJahna Maxey, Elizabeth Ingram, Judy Coleman, and Carole Murry.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1988 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1988: Diboll Day Queen and court for 1988 (left to right): Marvetta Rhone, Tracey Maxey, Queen Jennifer Hendrick, former queen LaJahna Maxey, Gina Lee, and LaDonna Nettles. More than $210,000 was raised this year, the first to surpass $200,000. Felton Burt was Booster Club president.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1990 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1990: Diboll Day Queen candidates (front row): Kerry Hannah, Janee Jones, and Lisa Suarez. Back row: Angela Furgurson and JonAnna Bradford. Angela Furgurson was crowned queen.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1992 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1992: 1992's Diboll Day Queen candidates pose with 1990's Queen Angela Ferguson, third from left. Left to right are April McClain, Erin Kellam, (Furgurson), Jennifer Sweeny, Robin Barger, and sponsor Lisa Burkhalter. Jennifer Sweeny was crowned queen. Nearly $341,000 was raised this year, the first time to surpass $300,000. Gary Martz was Booster Club president.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1994 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

1994: Queen Jelyitsa Perez, the first Hispanic Diboll Day Queen, stands with her court, left to right, Michelle Cordell, Celsa Reyes, and Jacqueline McGuire.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1996 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

1996: Diboll Day Queen candidates (left to right): Katherina Loftin, Ashley Lenderman, Jessica Tipton, and Misty Jones. Ashley Lenderman received the crown. Her sister, Cassi, was a candidate in 1998.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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1998 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

1998: Diboll Day Queen and candidates Tamara Harrell, Cassi Lenderman, Stacy Martz and Queen Lisa McClain. More than $436,000 was raised this year, the first time to surpass $400,000 and the highest fundraising to date. Bryan Wilson was Booster Club president.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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2000 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

2000: Diboll Day Queen and court (left to right) Sheila Hawthorne, Holly Smith, Queen Amanda Sample, and April Stoddard. More than $421,000 was raised this year. Gandy Stubblefield was Booster Club president in 2000.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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2002 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

2002 Diboll Day Queen candidates are shown here with the grand prize Jeep Wrangler. Left to right: Mandy Smith, Ashlei Burchfield, Amanda Jackson, and Heather Warren. Amanda Jackson was crowned queen.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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2004 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

2004: Diboll Day Queen candidates pose in the grand prize Ford Mustang. From left to right: Chaney Wyatt, Jade Temple, Kristi Homan, and Micha Flowers, who would be crowned queen. More than $413,000 was raised this year. Sharon Brown was Booster Club president in 2004. Chaney Wyatt's mother, Kaye Murry, was a contestant in 1974.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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2006 Diboll Day Queen Contestants

2006: Micha Flowers, 2004 Diboll Day Queen poses with the 2006 Diboll Day Queen and Court, Rachel Oates, Queen Traci Parish, Kim Colwell, and Whitney Wilson. The four teams raised $465,000 for the community, the largest total in Diboll Day's history. Melissa Chumley was Booster Club president in 2006.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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2008 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

2008: The Diboll Day Queen candidates were Chelsea Havard, Ashley Hines, and Ashley Wilson, who was crowned Queen. From the left are: Ashley Hines, Ashley Wilson, 2006's Queen Traci Parish, and Chelsea Havard. Approximately $307,000 was raised this year. Lesa Terrell was the Booster Club President.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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2010 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

2010: The Diboll Day Queen candidates pose after the ceremony. They are, left to right, Courtney Burchfield, Sarah Morado, Tiffany Mott, and Callie Shivers. Callie Shivers was crowned queen. All four queens and their teams raised a total of $275,000.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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2012 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

2012 Queen Emily Parish (in the blue dress, second from left) poses with her fellow contestants Courtney Shivers, Audrey Tamez, and Isabella Tamez. To Emily's right is 2010 Queen Callie Shivers.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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2014 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

2014: Contestant Angela Concha, Queen Kati Curtis, and contestant Sara Flowers pose during Diboll Day fundraising activities during the month of September.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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2016 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

2016: Contestant Tristan Rice, Queen Jo Lynn Baker, and contestant Victoria Esteves pose after the coronation ceremony at Diboll Day 2016.

Diboll Day Queens 1953-2018
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2018 Diboll Day Queen Candidates

2018: Candidate Muzzainie Shepherd, Mekayla Dover, 2016 Queen Jo Lynn Baker, Queen Madison Horton, and candidate Erin Hadnot await results of the month-long fundraising contest during ceremonies at Diboll Day 2018.

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