Verdigris Valley Chapter, NSDAR, of Claremore, Oklahoma, was founded April 22, 1980, at the home of the Organizing Regent Miss Jedie R. Dunn. We had a total of 18 members by the end of the first year. Since then, we have seen our membership grow to over 40 members at the present time.
Our chapter has had 12 chapter regents: Jedie Dunn, Raye Chambers, Maxine Lowrey, Wilma Stellman (two terms), Nelliejeannee Kennedy (two terms), Doris Hargis, Pamela Conger, Linda Bacon, Loretta Genn (three terms), Mildred Losey, Donna Lesh, and Mary Jane DeLozier. Several of our members have served at the state and national level: Loretta Genn has served as state corresponding secretary; Ruth McCormick and Mary Jane DeLosier have served as Oklahoma state chaplain; Doris Hargis served as Green Country district director; and Nelliejeannee Kennedy has served on four national and two state chairmanships. |
Two Verdigris Valley Chapter past regents, Wilma Stellman and Nelliejeannee Kennedy, were instrumental in changing DAR policy regarding the use of the DAR marker on member's graves. This action came about in 1989 when we lost our first member, Betty Fox, and wished to honor her by placing the DAR marker on her grave. Since that time we have lost and so honored 15 of our members, and also assisted two of our members in placing DAR markers on the grave of one member's grandmother, and the graves of two sisters of another member -- all DAR members.
In the past 32 years, we have encouraged the respect and proper display of the Flag of the United States of America. A flag was presented to the Claremore Progress Daily Newspaper in recognition of its 100th birthday. Our chapter gives the Flag Code booklet to all third graders in Rogers County -- over 800 each year.
We have costumed holiday celebrations, membership teas, and to accommodate our working members we have a family-night dinner each year. Our chapter is pleased to have sponsored several state winners for DAR Good Citizens and American History Essay Contest awards. We have also sponsored national winners.
In the past 32 years, we have encouraged the respect and proper display of the Flag of the United States of America. A flag was presented to the Claremore Progress Daily Newspaper in recognition of its 100th birthday. Our chapter gives the Flag Code booklet to all third graders in Rogers County -- over 800 each year.
We have costumed holiday celebrations, membership teas, and to accommodate our working members we have a family-night dinner each year. Our chapter is pleased to have sponsored several state winners for DAR Good Citizens and American History Essay Contest awards. We have also sponsored national winners.
-- originally written by Nelliejeannee Kennedy in September 2001 and updated July 2012
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