Relatively Royal

Growing up in a large and close-knit extended family has been a privilege for these four cousins, who con- sider themselves more like sisters. True to the family’s Carnival traditions and long royal lineage, they’re thrilled to celebrate Mardi Gras this year. Current Mobile Carnival Association (MCA) Ladies Jeanie Hope, Molly Sullivan, and Annie Beth Immel, along with former MCA Queen Ebie Douglas, took us to their childhood summer home, where their lifelong bond began and the magical memories continue today.

By Amber Wielkins; Photography by Stevye Murray

From their picturesque childhood which, on any given day, found this gaggle of laughing girls running barefoot by the bay in coordinated swimsuits with melting popsicles or dashing off (also barefoot) to the church services catty-corner from their idyllic homes, the special bond between these young ladies cannot be overstated. Ebie, Jeanie, Molly, and Annie Beth are cousins, but more than that, they are close friends, having forged unbreakable bonds. From a girlhood spent making memories at the family’s Mobile Bay home every summer to becoming Ladies (and a former Queen) of the MCA Court, these four cousins are always there for one another.

Recalling their summers together as children, they all have favorite and meaningful memories. Ebie says, “Every year, on the last day of school, we would pack our things and move to the bay house! I loved spending time with my cousins all summer long, swimming in the bay—and I still do. We always hang out on one of our wharfs and my Uncle Patrick always cooks us great food, either fresh fish caught by my Uncle Robert or some delicious new recipe he’s found.” Jeanie claims they were “practically raised over the bay. I grew up knowing Fairhope as much as I knew Mobile. We love everything about the bay, and it was such a wonderful place to grow up. There’s nothing quite like it and the beautiful sunsets!” Molly adds, “I loved summers with my cousins—spending all day in the sun and water. I remember hoping for jubilees and the excitement of being able to experience them.” Annie Beth’s oldest memories are “wandering down the beach with my cousins, building sandcastles, and dancing on our wharf.” If their memories sound similar, it’s because they view their childhood summers through the lens of shared experience. Another season bringing the girls together was, and still is, Mardi Gras.

“Our families would always get rooms at the Battle House Hotel so we could all watch the parades together,” says Jeanie, recalling the thrill of finding out what special throw her father would hand her while he paraded. The girls’ families would watch the parades together at the corner of Conception and St. Francis streets, with Ebie telling us, “The police even called it the ‘nursery corner’ because there were so many of us lined up on the barricades. Officer Glenda with the Mobile Police Department, who used to count how many people attended the parade, told us she loved coming by that area because we would all have big bows in our hair. It is a time I will always cherish.” Called their viewing spot the “Catholic corner,” Molly smiles recalling the fun of having their large group of extended family and friends together. Annie Beth also remembers going to parades with her cousins and standing with their grandparents in Bienville Square.

While not on this year’s MCA Court, former Queen Ebie is nevertheless heavily involved in events for the season, telling us, “I have loved seeing my cousins all together, dressed up and having fun at the parties. I am so proud of how they have handled this challenging time. My cousins and their mothers have really rolled with the changes, making the best of every situation. I’ll admit to being a tiny bit jealous because it’s a once in a lifetime experience.” Offering short, sweet, (and sound) advice to Annie Beth, Molly, and Jeanie, she says,” My advice is to savor every moment and just have fun!”

We concur and add our warmest congratulations to these young ladies for being chosen for the Court and, more importantly, for their determination to keep family first. Their true adoration for each other and their individual successes confirms the importance of the carefree foundation they all cherish and credit for the women they’ve become. Forging their own careers, Jeanie is the Marketing Manager at Gulf Distributing Co. of Mobile, Annie Beth is a Marketing Promotions Manager at Siemens in Atlanta, Ebie teaches second grade at St. Ignatius Catholic School, her alma mater, and is engaged to be married, and Molly is pursuing two graduate degrees in The University of Alabama at Birmingham—a Master of Health Services Administration and a Master of Business Administration. From young girls with popsicle grins to highly accomplished individuals, we can’t think of better examples of what it means to be a lady in 2022.

Family traditions made for other fondly recalled memories of the season. For Annie Beth, it’s “definitely my mom’s famous king cake! Even now, we all look forward to sharing it together and reminiscing on our childhood Mardi gras memories.” Jeanie and Ebie agree on the importance of never missing a parade, rain or shine, and catching it twice if possible. Molly shares, “We loved to visit the A&M Peanut Shop before parades for a sweet treat.”

As they’ve matured into early adulthood, they haven’t let their careers and other responsibilities get in the way of their relationship. Clearly, their individual fashion styles have evolved from childhood and they adore dressing up and helping each other find that perfect look. They also still enjoy time together at the bay house, where, Ebie says, “My dad has a new drink machine and all the cousins vote for which flavor he makes each weekend.” They are also keen on celebrating almost everything at the Supper Club at Stillwater Branch. According to Jeanie, “We go to the Supper Club to celebrate all big events including birthdays, graduations, Christmas Eve, and Independence Day, to name a few.” Molly adds, “My favorite memory from the Supper Club was the rehearsal dinner for our cousin, Taylor (Ebie’s brother) and his wife, Laura.” Ebie agrees, saying, “The food is always amazing and we love spending time with the whole family! It is one of the few places that can accommodate all of us.” Annie Beth concludes, “One of my favorite memories is going to the Supper Club on July 3rd with all of my cousins—no aunts, uncles, or parents. Just the cousins enjoying the meal and listening to Cooper Trent!”

As they’ve matured into the young women they are today, they remain close and are delighted to be Ladies in the 2022 MCA Court. Well, three of them are; Ebie was MCA’s Queen in 2019, making her their go-to for any questions that might arise. Regardless, there is an added layer of excitement to Mardi Gras this year. “It is so special because it allows our whole family to participate. We aren’t only cousins—we are all great friends!” exclaims Jeanie. Molly shares her enthusiasm, telling us, “It makes it even more fun when your family is always around at the parties and the balls.” Counting herself lucky to be sharing her Court experience with them, Annie Beth gets to the heart of it, saying, “I am so fortunate to have both my cousins in the Court with me because we’ve grown up together and are so close. It’s been a terrific experience being able to share fun nights together and especially being able to ask their fashion opinions.”

Hair Jason Chambers, HeadDress Salon, 251.689.7427 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com