Mrs. Wyoming wins title; snakebit entrant takes 1st runner-up

Mrs. Tennessee got the most ink, but Mrs. Wyoming snagged the crown.

Kelly McBee, a 30-year-old mother of three from northern Wyoming, won the national crown Wednesday at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, organizers said.

"I'm in shock," said McBee, who works as a beauty consultant in the town of Worland. "I don't believe it."

The Mrs. America award "spotlights some of the most accomplished, contemporary, poised, articulate and attractive married women," organizers said.

First runner-up was Christina Ryan, Mrs. Tennessee.

Ryan made headlines across the country earlier in the month when she was bitten on the foot by a rattler as she made her way to a rehearsal.

Ryan said the bite occurred after she jumped away from a spider she spotted on an outside staircase and landed in front of the snake.

The second runner-up was Mrs. Nebraska, Michele Strom of Omaha; third runner-up was Mrs. Oklahoma, Melissa Soto of Tulsa; fourth runner-up was Mrs. New Mexico, Cortney Whitley of Hobbs; and fifth runner-up was Mrs. California, Kelly Stornetta of Fresno.

Mrs. World 2007, Diane Tucker of Marana, competed as Mrs. Arizona in the pageant last year and won the 30th anniversary Mrs. America title.