Pink Hill announces 2025 Miss Merry Christmas and first runner-up
Photos: Facebook.
As the Christmas season arrives in Pink Hill, one of the town’s most beloved traditions returns for its 65th year. The Miss Merry Christmas contest, first established in 1960, continues to highlight young women from the community who embody the spirit of service, kindness, and giving back.
The 2025 Miss Merry Christmas is Brayleigh Turner, with Tinsley Fife named first runner-up.
Each year, local businesses sponsor outstanding young women between the ages of 15 and 18 to ride in the Pink Hill Christmas Parade and represent both their sponsor and the values of their hometown. Many contestants follow in the footsteps of mothers and grandmothers who once wore the Miss Merry Christmas sash, making it a deeply rooted family and community tradition.
Before parade day, contestants gather for an interview and reception, meet one another, and participate in a brief interview with judges. They also deliver a short presentation about a community service project they would pursue if selected. Past projects have included reading to nursing home residents, collecting donations for the SPCA, and leading neighborhood beautification programs. Judges look for sincerity, leadership, and a true desire to serve the community.
Coordinators Suzie Baker and Phyllis Burd have helped guide the tradition for many years. The reigning 2024 Miss Merry Christmas is Carly Linn Hill, who returned to participate in this year’s festivities.
The 2025 Miss Merry Christmas contestants were:
• Emma Heath, sponsored by Southern Roots; parents Jenn and Lee Heath
• Maddalyn Grimes, sponsored by Howards Insurance; parents Cody and Jennifer Grimes
• Addison Coates, sponsored by Futrell's Pre-Casting LLC; parents Taylor and Kala Coates
• Esley Hudson, sponsored by Thomas' Car Wash; parent Pamela Hudson
• Harley Koonce, sponsored by Duff’s Cafe; parents Frederick and Crystal Koonce
• Carrlee Jack (CJ) Murray, sponsored by R-Mart; parents Eric and Morgan Murray
• Brayleigh Turner, sponsored by Turner Auto Body; parents Brandon and Rachel Turner
• Bailey Rouse, sponsored by Pink Hill Funeral Home; parents Scott and Michelle Rouse
• Tinsley Fife, sponsored by Horne’s Outdoor EQ; parents Justin and Leah Fife
• Whitney Dupree, sponsored by Brewed on Broadway; parents Kari and Richard Dupree
Turner will represent Pink Hill at community events throughout the year and will return in 2026 to ride in the parade as the reigning Miss Merry Christmas.
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As the Christmas season arrives in Pink Hill, one of the town’s most beloved traditions returns for its 65th year: the Miss Merry Christmas contest. Since 1960, this event has highlighted young women from the community who embody the spirit of service, kindness, and giving back.
Carly Linn Hill
2024 Miss Merry Christmas
Each year, local businesses sponsor outstanding young ladies between the ages of 15 and 18 to ride in the Pink Hill Christmas Parade and represent both their sponsor and the values of their hometown. Many contestants follow in the footsteps of mothers and grandmothers who once wore the Miss Merry Christmas sash themselves, making it a deeply rooted family and community tradition.
Before parade day, the contestants gather for an interview and reception where they meet each other, participate in a brief interview with the judges, and share a short presentation about a community service project they would complete if selected as Queen. Past projects have included reading to nursing home residents, collecting donations for the SPCA, and leading neighborhood beautification efforts. The judges look for sincerity, leadership, and a true desire to give back.
The newly crowned Miss Merry Christmas may be invited to take part in various town events throughout the year and will return in 2026 to ride in the parade as the reigning Queen. The 2024 Miss Merry Christmas is Carly Linn Hill.
Contest coordinators Suzie Baker and Phyllis Burd, who have been involved with the tradition for many years. The town awaits to see who will reign as the 2025 Miss Merry Christmas!
2025 Miss Merry Christmas Contestants:
Emma Heath
Sponsor: Southern Roots
Parents: Jenn & Lee Heath
Maddalyn Grimes
Sponsor: Howards Insurance
Cody & Jennifer Grimes
Addison Coates
Sponsor: Futrell's Pre-Casting LLC
Parents: Taylor & Kala Coates
Esley Hudson
Sponsor: Thomas' Car Wash
Parent: Pamela Hudson
Harley Koonce
Sponsor: Duff’s Cafe
Parents: Frederick and Crystal Koonce
Carrlee Jack (CJ) Murray
Sponsor: R-Mart
Parents: Eric and Morgan Murray
Brayleigh Turner
Sponsor: Turner Auto Body
Parents: Brandon and Rachel Turner
Bailey Rouse
Sponsor: Pink Hill Funeral Home
Parents: Scott and Michelle Rouse
Tinsley Fife
Sponsor: Horne’s Outdoor EQ
Parents: Justin and Leah FIfe
Whitney Dupree
Sponsor: Brewed on Broadway
Parents: Kari and Richard Dupree
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