The Rachel Donelson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 22, with a pot-luck luncheon at Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield.
Many members wore period clothing, and a skit was performed reenacting the first meeting when the State Regent Marie Elizabeth Watkins Oliver, of Cape Girardeau, attended to install the officers.
Mrs. Watkins’ role was played by State Regent Lemira Parks, of Caruthersville.
Chapter memorabilia was displayed as well as a photograph of the historical marker placed by the chapter in 2006 at the site of the first meeting.
Regent Mary Christiano introduced other honored guests: Donna Nash, State Vice Regent, Dearborn; Paula Clyma, State Chaplain, Independence; Donna Medley, State Recording Secretary, Jefferson City; Marilyn McMillan, State Historian, St. Joseph; Jane Evans, Honorary Vice President General and Honorary State Regent, St. Louis; Karen Bradley, Honorary State Regent and Past Vice President General, Nevada; Sally Bueno, Honorary State Regent and Honorary Chapter Regent, Rachel Donelson Chapter, Springfield; Bonnie Bailey, State Chairman, College of the Ozarks, Forsyth; and Carolyn Mott, Southwest District Director and Organizing Regent, Matilda Polk Campbell Chapter, Bolivar.
Regents attending from the Southwest District were: Barbara Cohu, Elk Horn Prairie Chapter, Mt. Vernon; Marilyn Dexter, Isaac Garrison Chapter, Springfield; Reta Dyson, Matilda Polk Campbell Chapter, Osceola; Mary Ann Wade, Rhoda Fairchild Chapter, Carthage; Sandra Walker, Carl Neiman Chapter, Seymour; and Penelope Willard, Taneycomo Chapter, Forsyth.
While the DAR is a respected society nationally with an impressive history, the Rachel Donelson Chapter in Springfield also has had a proud history during its 100 years. Organized on June 21, 1910, some of the 27 charter members had links to famous people-both nationally and locally. One was related to the wife of President Andrew Jackson, three were related both to President James K. Polk and Springfield founder John Polk Campbell, and three were the proud aunts of astronomer Edwin Hubble. Several other members were also from historical local families with easily-recognizable surnames.
The following Rachel Donelson Chapter members were recognized at this event for their longtime membership: Betty Ammerman, Janet Beveridge, Carolyn Bradley, Nancy Farthing, Patricia Ferguson, Adena Holsinger, Mona Luce, Bette Nelson, Martha Pickering, Melba Rector, Elaine Reed, all of Springfield; Martha Friend, Willard; Marcellene Mark, Ash Grove; Coradella Hartje, Redmond, Wash.; and Michelle Sutton, St. Louis. Six new chapter members were awarded DAR lapel pins: Cynthia Baker, Wasola; Pamela Crowe, Weaubleau; Pamela DeGeere, Republic; Marcia Biggs, Phyllis Sherman, and Burnace Smith, all of Springfield.
Chapter officers for 2010-2012 were installed during the business meeting: Pat Dickens, regent; Jo Ann Adams, vice regent; Mary Francis Stockstill, chaplain; Carolyn Haseltine, corresponding secretary; Melba Rector, registrar; Mary Belle Moore, assistant historian; Jan Murphy, librarian; Mary Christiano, director; Rosemary Bane, director; Bea Brown, director; and Sally Bueno, honorary chapter regent, all of Springfield; Fran Black, recording secretary, Marionville; Joan Collins, treasurer, Everton; and Linda Ferrell, historian, Rogers, Ark.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation’s children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.
