By Barry Wise Smith Photo by Jordan Wald
For Ree Sherer, the Beaux Arts Krewe Ball has been the backdrop for some very important life moments. His first “official” date with his wife Val was to the Ball in 1980, and both of their daughters were presented as ladies in waiting—Val Sherer Noble in 2008 and Elizabeth Palmer Sherer Bray in 2010. Now in 2026, Ree has been selected as the Krewe’s 59th King, and his four grandchildren—Raymond Harris Bray; Robert Mobley Bray, IV; Andrew Jackson Noble, V and Virginia Beeland Noble—along with George Nicholas Byrum, Junior and Henry Sprott Long, IV will serve as his trainbearers.
Sherer has been an active member of the Beaux Arts Krewe for 42 years and has served in numerous leadership positions including Ball Co-captain in 1990, Captain of the 1991 Ball, President of the Krewe in 1992 and on the board of directors. “He loved all of it,” Val says. “He got to know everybody, the older members and the new boys.” Sherer agrees, saying, “There was such camaraderie amongst Krewe members.”
Despite his many years of service, Sherer was genuinely surprised when he got the call from a fellow Krewe member asking if he would serve as king. “It was a total surprise,” Sherer laughs. “You get to be a certain age, and you figure you’re past your due date. I figured if I was going to be invited to be the king, it would have been a few years back; I thought that train had left the station. It was a truly exciting surprise and such an honor. I’m so grateful for the volunteers whose hard work have made this year’s Ball possible and for the Krewe’s continued support of the Birmingham Museum of Art.”
The 59th Annual Beaux Arts Krewe Ball will take place on Friday, February 13, at the Boutwell Auditorium with decorations in an elaborate circus theme. The ball will feature the presentation of 21 princesses, with one being named Queen of the Ball and one Lady in Waiting. The King’s Dukes include Kenneth Bruce Botsford; Joseph Lee Bynum; James Milton Johnson; Donald Bradford Kidd; William Anderson Legg, Junior; Claude Beeland Nielsen; John Windsor Seymour and William Burr Weatherly. The royal court also includes 31 boys and girls chosen to serve as pages.
A Venerable History
Sherer is a lifelong resident of Mountain Brook, growing up with his parents Dr. Raymond and Barbara Sherer and his three older sisters in the family’s home on Salisbury Road. After graduating from Indian Springs School, Sherer attended Washington and Lee University before transferring to the University of Alabama and graduating with a degree in Economics.
After starting his career in the mortgage banking industry, Sherer moved to EBSCO Industries, where he remained for 37 years until he retired in 2019. “It was a great company and a great family [the Stephens], and I had a lot of opportunity for travel.” Sherer’s role took him regularly to Canada, the United Kingdom, France and South Africa. “I think the job whet his appetite for international travel,” Val says. “I can hardly keep him at home. He loves to GO.” The Sherers usually do a couple of overseas trips every year. “I would do more if she’d let me,” Sherer laughs.
Sherer met Val through mutual friends and her first cousin who just happened to be Sherer’s roommate after they graduated from college. “I knew her parents and her family before I knew her,” Sherer says. “We had a bunch of mutual friends who all lived in the same apartment complex, and when she moved to Birmingham after college, they all wanted me to meet the new girl in town.” The Sherers first official date was to the Krewe Ball in 1980. “We became really good friends at first and then started dating,” Val recalls.
The King’s Consort
Being married to the King comes with duties of its own. Val is responsible for organizing the King’s Box during the ball and co-hosting the King’s and Queen’s Dinner the night after the Ball with the Queen’s mother. “It’s been fun working with the Queen’s mother,” Val says. The private dinner, which will take place on Valentine’s Day, will be at The Country Club of Birmingham, where the Sherers are longtime members. “She’s managed two weddings and two wedding receptions there, so she has some good experience,” Sherer says of his wife. The King’s wife also assists the next year’s King in the planning. “Heather McWane has been amazing,” Val says of her predecessor.
A Life of Service
In addition to his long career at EBSCO and serving as President of the EBSCO Federal Credit Union, Sherer made time for active involvement in the community as well. He served on the boards of Girls Inc. and the Boys and Girls Club of Central Alabama. He served on the President’s Advisory Committee at BirminghamSouthern College with Dr. Neal Berte and on various United Way committees. He is a long-time member of Canterbury United Methodist Church and The Country Club of Birmingham.
