Mobile Carnival Association’s Queen Eugenia Greer O’Connor
Possessing a vivacious personality, an innate graciousness, and experience as Juvenile Queen in 2014, Eugenia Greer O’Connor is more than ready to serve as Mobile Carnival Association’s (MCA) Queen in 2022. Her Majesty’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Francis O’Connor III, share Queen Eugenia’s love for Mardi Gras and could not be more delighted for their daughter. Her family’s royal lineage dates back over a century, and Eugenia is deeply appreciative of the honor bestowed upon her. Her varied interests inspired our term of endearment, “The Queen of Contradictions,” even as she reminds us there’s no place like home.
By Amber Wielkins; Photography by Stevye Murray
Queen Eugenia is reigning over Carnival this year and upon meeting her, it soon becomes clear she is regal by nature. This charming, thoughtful, and whip-smart young lady will graduate from Washington and Lee University (W&L) in May with a dual degree in psychology and business administration, and she’s facing a bright future. “After graduating, I am headed to Atlanta to pursue a career in management consulting at Bain & Company,” she declares, referring to the global firm renowned for their ability to solve industry-defining challenges in strategy, digital transformation, sustainability, mergers and acquisitions, education, and social justice across all industries and geographies.
Crediting her family and her education with influencing her thirst for learning and growing as a person, Eugenia understands the poignancy of leaving behind her school years and heading into her career. “I graduated from UMS-Wright Preparatory School and am forever indebted to the faculty for shaping me into the person I am today—it was truly my home and has given me some of my best memories,” she shares. Continuing, she adds, “Washington and Lee has been my home away from home for the past four years and has been incredibly instrumental in forming my young- adult self. It has challenged and enhanced the way I think and how I see the world, as well as allowing me to cross paths with people from all different backgrounds.”
Learning she would be Queen was also a surprise to Eugenia. “Henry and I started hearing from a few Mobile Carnival Association board members, asking if they could come visit one day,” Ashley shares. “Unfortunately, by the time everyone’s calendars aligned, Eugenia had returned to school. While we weren’t able to give her the news in person, the three-way phone call we had with her made it a personal moment we will cherish. Eugenia was both excited and honored to be chosen.”
Since 1912, when Eugenia’s great-great- grandmother Lucy Shields Leatherbury was Queen, Eugenia’s direct family line has had a meaningful history with Mobile Carnival Association. Her great-grandfather Clifton Clarke Inge Sr. was named King Felix III in 1930, followed by her grandfather Clifton Clarke Inge Jr. being crowned King Felix III in 1961 and her grandmother Eugenia (Genie) Radcliff Inge serving as First Lady-In-Waiting in 1962. In 1963, her aunt Lucy Radcliff Lyons Harrison was Queen, and her mother wore the crown in 1990. More recently, her first cousin Clifton Clarke Inge III was Juvenile King in 2013 and in 2014 Eugenia was named Juvenile Queen.
Eugenia’s interests can best be described as contradictory. She adores quiet time for reading as much as she relishes the opportunity to be in the center of the Bay’s biggest social season. She loves the mountains in the West as much as she loves the marshes here at home. Well versed and with a raft of accolades she could boast about, she’s also modest to a fault, so we asked Ashley to describe her. “Eugenia has the unique ability to be incredibly driven and inclusive. She takes her academics seriously and at the same time she does a great job of having fun, being carefree, and making close friends in a variety of situations,” she shares. “She loves to have a good time, celebrate at the drop of a hat, be with friends and family, and also to be part of things that are larger than herself. I think she is in for the time of her life this Mardi Gras.”
With dreams for life after graduation, right now her main focus is toward Mardi Gras and making her reign a memorable one. Supporting her every step of the way is MCA’s 1990 Queen Ashley Eugenia Inge, but Eugenia just calls her “Mom.” Indeed, Ashley O’Connor tells us, “It has been really fun sharing everything I wore with Eugenia, making the experience that much more special for both of us.”
Asked about her interests, Eugenia enthusiastically replies, “I love adventure and having fun—anything for a good adrenaline rush! Traveling, backpacking out West in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, hiking in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia, water skiing on Mobile Bay, and horseback riding are some of my favorite pastimes.”
As we worked to create images reflecting these very interests at her photoshoot, Eugenia fondly recalled growing up in a family and neighborhood of boys. A self-described tomboy, Eugenia was all too happy to hop on a bike and pedal through her neighborhood of Ashland Place just as she did as a child. Nevertheless, time with her family is what she treasures most, including her younger brothers Henry Clarke O’Connor, 19, who attends Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and John Inge O’Connor, 16, a student at UMS-Wright Preparatory school. “I really enjoy being with my family—be it walking around Ashland Place on a family walk or hanging out on the wharf or in the country by a bonfire with my brothers and cousins,” she shares, further adding, “Those times with my family mean everything to me. Despite going to college far away and spending my summers elsewhere, I am a huge homebody. Someone once very fittingly described me as a ‘family girl.’ I love my family, the comfort of home, the fun we have together, and especially the peace that comes with having all the people you care about nearby. Also, my grandparents are my favorite people in the whole world—ask anyone who knows me—so any chance I have to be home near them is when I am happiest.”
Eugenia is also passionate about being creative, whether it’s “writing, creating art with my mom and grandmother, helping my mom at her art studio, thinking about ways to redesign my room, making scrapbooks, or keeping a journal—I love it all.” In another instance of this study in contradictions, she says, “I am also genuinely interested in my studies and take school very seriously—sometimes probably too seriously at the expense of sanity,” she jokes. But this well-rounded young woman wants more than good grades—she wants to understand what she is learning at a deeper level. “I’m fascinated by the material from both my psychology and business classes at W&L, as I always seek to comprehend why what I’m learning is important. Knowing why and not just what helps me understand and retain information so I can apply it in the future.” Eugenia’s curious mindset applies to everything in her life, as illustrated by her telling us, “I also like talking about investing, the markets, and The Wall Street Journal with my Dad.” We imagine Eugenia would have thrived as a queen during the Renaissance due to her wide-ranging spirit of inquiry.
Carnival season comes a with a demanding social calendar, but Eugenia was up for the challenge (with a little help). “At the onset, putting together a wardrobe seemed a daunting task for my mom and me, since we’re not avid shoppers,” she begins. “However, with the help of Garland Sanders, we were able to curate a classic, yet original, wardrobe. Garland has a true vision.” Ashley seconds the sentiment, saying, “We could not have done it without Garland, who helped us with Eugenia’s clothes for the debutante parties, Queen’s luncheon, and every other event. We love her style and admire her ability to find clothes that reflect Eugenia’s personality.”
Eugenia chose to honor her mother by wearing the royal regalia from her reign as MCA’s Queen over 30 years ago. “Originally designed by the legendary Karen Thornton, both the gown and train feature an authentic historical Mobile theme. Both have been updated to integrate my personal flair with my mom’s beautiful vision,” she shares. Ashley adds, “The train’s highlight is a basket of lilies, camellias, and azaleas, all of which were brought to Mobile early in the city’s history by French explorers. Extending from the top of the train are delicate sun rays, emulating the warmth and beauty of our port city. We kept the theme of the train the same, only adding to the three-dimensional flowers and replacing the border to make it look brand new.” Describing her gown, Eugenia details, “The original underlay of the dress is gold, the color of sunshine. I added my own personal preferences to the dress, which included building out the neckline, adding capped sleeves, and adorning the sleeves with dangling pearls and rhinestones. We also added a creme overlay onto which the gown pattern continues. The trim of the overlay matches the trim of the train, bringing it all together.”
Ashley remarks, “It is wonderful that Eugenia is able to wear my gown, train, and collar after 31 years. The dress fit like a glove, and with the expertise of Christal Hall and Homer McClure, we were able to embellish and update the regalia. Mobile is so lucky to have such talented artisans who have been involved behind the scenes, making Mardi Gras happen for decades and decades.” Eugenia is quick to add, “My amazingly talented and creative grandmother, Genie Inge, put a lot of her own design work into the gown and train, which is why wearing it means so much to me. I am truly honored and excited to wear the gown and train that was brought to life by my grandmother for my mom—and eventually me—to wear!”
Eugenia will also wear the necklace her mother wore as Queen. “It has a gold flower with rhinestones overlaid on each petal, attached to a two-strand pearl necklace. The flower necklace was chosen to repeat the basket of flowers from the train,” Ashley tells us.
Queen Eugenia’s royal ensemble will be completed with the crown and scepter her mom wore, but their origins go all the way back to 1912, when they were first created for her great-great- grandmother Lucy Shields Leatherbury when she served as Queen. “Given their antique nature, both the crown and scepter are much simpler and understated than many we see today. However, I love that because they remind me of the roots of Mardi Gras and symbolize not only the way this special celebration has evolved over the century, but also the ways in which it has stayed the same.” Touchingly, she adds, “Every time I hold the scepter or place the crown on my head, I am reminded of all that Mardi Gras means. For me, it means holding on to the things that matter— community, coming together, family, comradery, and tradition—while also making sure to have fun along the way!”
Queried about what she’s most looking forward to, Eugenia says, “As Queen, I am most looking forward to reconnecting with both the city and the people of Mobile. It feels like I have been in Virginia for quite some time, so it is very special to come back to a city that means so much to me, to continue to learn about its history, and hopefully to make a positive impact for generations to come! Even more so, the people in Mobile are truly important to me—they made me who I am today, so I could not be more excited to reconnect with them, and most importantly, to let the good times roll with them!” With preparations complete and Mardi Gras just around the corner, we’d say Queen Eugenia is more than ready for her reign!
Hair Jason Chambers, HeadDress Salon, 251.689.7427 Makeup Courtney Matthews Makeup Artistry, Cocokat1978@gmail.com
Shot on location at her Majesty’s family home and
BLUEGILL Restaurant, 3775 Battleship Parkway, Spanish Fort, 251.625.1998
