History of Sisters of Bivouac Chapter #530

Order of Eastern Stars, P.H.A.

 

The chapter was originally organized by a determined group of women on October 9, 1945 in Winston-Salem, NC.   On October 31, 1946 a Dispensation was issued to the Brothers of Bivouac Lodge No. 503 and distinguished ladies of Forsyth County granting them the privilege to assemble as a legal Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, with Sister Mary Fair as Worthy Matron and Brother Robert P. Person as Worthy Patron. After five years of working under dispensation with W.M. Fair and W.P. Person still at the helm, a Charter to establish Sisters of Bivouac Chapter No. 530, OES, PHA was issued on September 5, 1951.

 

            The following Sisters have served in the East:

 

Mary L. Fair   * 1946-1947                Ricky Wilson  ***/*    1986-1987

Lorene B. Hill  * 1947-1948                Alma Barber                 1989-1990

Bertha Porter *   1948-1949                Frances Johnson     * 1990-1992

Virginia Stewart * 1949-1950             Josephine Jones         1992-1993

Ethel Wheeler   *                                  Louise Davis   *          1993-1994

Obie McMurray   *                              Thelma Cooper       * 1994-1995

Clara N. Hayes *1953-1955                Ava Powell    *          1995-1996

Elizabeth M. Tilley   **/*                    Catherine Kirkland  ***/* 1996-1998

Elizabeth Bailey      *                            Chlories Shore ***       1998-1999

Inez Lilly                   *                            Jean Nunn St. Preux  1999-2000

Ora Lee McCorey    *                             Mary S. Michaux        2000-2001   

Florie Thomas          *                             Jean Nunn St. Preux   2001-2004

Hattie Vaughn *  1971-1972                  Eva L. McWillis           2004-2006

Ora Lee Griggs* 1973-1974                   Gloria H. Jeralds          2006-2008

Catherine Fair Hines*  1974-1976        Cynthia D. Acker  ***  2008-2010

Eadie Mae Black * 1976-1977                Hattie B. Fulton         2010-2012

Portia Rivers *    1982-1983                   Ciesta Funderburk     2012-2013

Jessie Landingham * 1983-1984           Theresa L. Lee           2013-2014

Ruby Rogers***  1984-1985                 Lisa W. Smith            2014-

Frances Robinson   * 1985-1986

 

The members listed on the original charter were:  Mary L. Fair, Worthy Matron, R.P. Person, Worthy Patron, L.B. Hill, Associate Matron, Ethel Wheeler, Georgia Counts, Obie McMurray, R. D. Edward, Nannie Taylor, Minnie Pauling, Catherine Fair, Lillian Clinkscales, Zettie Clarke, Queen E. Dean, Clara Hayes, Hannah Allen, Lizzie Dowe, Lucille Fair, Etta Gray, Ada Pack, Minnie Shaffner, William Malone, Emma Hood, Bertha Porter, Elizabeth Tilley, Annie Mae McLeod, John W. Fair, Mary Sullivan and Beulah Hood.

 

Our Worthy Patrons have included Honorary Past Grand Patron Albert Wardlow, Past Masters Robert Person, Thompson Alexander, Paul Miller, Elsworth Jessup, Gerald Canty, Kevin Benton, Joseph Bruinton, Robert Jones, *Artis Woods, David Peay and John Nesbitt, Sr.

 

Our Honorary Past Matrons are Lucille Fair McCormick (deceased), Juanita Archie, Catherine Brown, Elizabeth Caesar, Sallie McFadden, Betty Pinkney, Barbara Wardlow, Janie Murray, Alma Lyles, Clara Wilson, Devenia McLeod and Ruby Norwood.

 

Sisters of Bivouac Chapter No. 530 is the largest Chapter in the 30th District. Our members vary in age and includes members with incomparable talents from diverse professions and occupations.

 

One of our greatest accomplishments was the establishment of Mary L. Fair Gleaner Branch #137 on March 20, 2004 with the following Charter members: Jean Nunn St. Preux, Eva McWillis, Hattie B. Fulton, Ciesta Funderburk, Alma Lyles, Linda Butler, Katherine Williams, and Ricky Wilson, along with 14 young ladies. Catherine Kirkland was the 30th District Advisor. Currently our Gleaner Branch is busy with 24 young ladies, with Past Matron Sister Eva L. McWillis serving as Supervisor.

 

The Cyrene Crusaders and the Elizabeth Tilley Gleaner Branch #69 are both named in honor of Past Grand Matron Elizabeth Tilley and Clara N. Hayes Court #5 of the Ladies of the Circle of Perfection is named in honor of our Past Matron Clara N. Hayes.

 

 

Denotes:   *Deceased           ** NC Grand Worthy Matron               ***NC Grand