In February of 2008, at the request of the brothers of Foundation Lodge No. 592 and under the direction of Past Master Corey Shackleford Sr. and Brother Rick Little, an O.E.S. Exploratory Committee was formed to research if there was an interest from non-Prince Hall ladies as well as the wives, daughters, mothers and sisters of the brothers of Foundation Lodge to start an Order of the Eastern Star chapter in the city of Smyrna, Georgia.
After reaching and exceeding the minimum number of applicants to apply for a chapter, a proposal for the intent to start a sister chapter for Foundation Lodge No. 592 was given to District Deputy Grand Master Charles Truitt, District Worthy Matron Mary Surry, and District Worthy Patron Victor Lee during the 2008 District Meeting.
On October 9, 2009, Foundation Lodge No. 592 received a letter from Grand Worth Matron Marilyn Moore that the proposal for a sister chapter was accepted. She selected an Advisory Committee for the new chapter, which consisted of Past Matron Deaidra Parks Wilson (Grand Conductress), Past Matron Joyce Gilchrest (Grand Chairman of the Trustees), Past Matron Susan Gibson (Grand Musician), and Past Matron Kim Kendal (Grand By-Laws Committee). The chapter was granted a dispensation from Grand Worthy Patron Marvin Knight under the guidance of the Honorable Ramsey Davis, Jr. Most Worshipful Grand Master of Georgia, to initiate new members.
The chapter was formed on October 17, 2009 at 9am at 330 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA. The following 20 members were in attendance, some of which were appointed as the Officers for the chapter by Grand Worthy Matron Marilyn Moore:
Appointed Officers
Worthy Matron: Sis. Monchelle Rodriguez
Worthy Patron: Bro. Christopher Parham
Associate Matron: Sis. Arnese Foster
Associate Patron: Bro. Donnie Baulding, Sr.
Conductress: Sis. Yvonne Fleetwood
Associate Conductress: Sis. Marcheria Jessie
Secretary: Sis. Temeri Wilder-Kofie
Treasurer: Sis. Khaleedah Knight
Chairman of the Trustees: Sis. Tanya LaFleur
Members:
Sis. Monique Bryant, Sis. Najah Gatson, Sis. Kimberly Hodges, Sis. Monica Justice, Sis. April Miller, Sis. Kassondra Riley, Sis. Belinda Sears and Sis. Nicole White. In addition, Bro. Rick Little, Bro. Tony Russell and Bro. Corey Shackleford, Sr.
The sisters and brothers who demitted into the chapter were Sis. Yvonne Fleetwood from Arena Chapter No. 29 in Atlanta, Georgia, Sis. Khaleedah Knight from Vashti Grimes Pullen Chapter No. 586 in Atlanta, Georgia, Sis. Arnese Foster from Omega Chapter No. 177 in Oklahoma, and Bro. Corey Shackleford, Sr. from King Solomon Chapter No. 42 in Marietta, Georgia.
On October 21, 2009, the O.E.S. Exploratory Committee gave its’ final report to the lodge, indicating that a chapter had been formed to compliment Foundation Lodge No. 592. The committee recommended that the lodge donate $500.00 as seed money to the chapter. The report was accepted by the Lodge and UD Chapter received its initial funding of $500.00 from Foundation Lodge No. 592.
From this date forward, the chapter was known as “Chapter UD” because a name had not yet been established. Chapter UD held its first meeting in November of 2009 at Eden Lodge No. 46 Masonic Hall in Marietta, Georgia. All subsequent meetings were held at the Paul E. Kelly American Legion Post No. 296 in Marietta, Georgia.
In March 2010, the name “Foundation” was chosen by its members. At the request of the Advisory Committee and with permission from Grand Worthy Matron Marilyn Moore, new officers were appointed within Foundation Chapter No. 587 in April 2010. The new appointed officers were:
Worthy Matron: Sis. Yvonne Fleetwood
Associate Matron: Sis. Marcheria Jessie
Conductress: Sis. Tanya LaFleur
Associate Conductress: Sis. Kassondra Riley
On December 18, 2010, history once again was made when WM Yvonne Fleetwood and WP Christopher Parham were invested with receiving their Administrative Degree as the principal officers in the chapter, performed by the Atlanta Masonic District No. 3 OES Leadership. Our Chapter member and (at the time) RWGJW Corey Shackleford, Sr., was present to witness the degree being conferred upon them.
We have now proudly received our Charter, during the Grand Chapter Session in Savannah, GA on June 10, 2011. Grand Worthy Matron Marilyn Moore presented our official Petition of Charter to Worthy Matron Yvonne Fleetwood and we are now known as Foundation Chapter No. 587.
