Submitted by
Sister Marilyn Ford,
Past Matron
St. Mark Chapter #57, Order of the Eastern Star and Rite of Adoption for the State of South Carolina and Jurisdiction held their One Hundred Year Celebration on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in Lake View, South Carolina at Union African Methodist Episcopal Church, Reverend Robert D. Hunter, pastor.

Our History
St. Mark Chapter #57 OES was organized at St. Mark Lodge #71 in Lake View, South Carolina in 1914, under the leadership of Sister Rether Ford, Royal Matron; Brother Barney Hamilton, Royal Patron, Sister Lillian Ford, Associate Matron; Brother Henry Ford, Associate Patron, Sister Florence Hayes, Treasurer, and Sister Tiny Hamilton, Secretary.   Under their leadership the chapter grew and continued to flourish.   The other Charter Members included Sisters: Mattie Fairley, Lizzie Ford, Kittie Ford, Louisa Ford, Martha Ford, Wilmetta Hayes Ford, Lillie Page Frazier, Odena Page, Retta Utley and Brother W.M. Ford.  The Chapter has met at the Lodge Hall of St. Mark Lodge #71 for the last 100 years.  We have continued the tradition of working hand in hand on various community projects with St. Mark Lodge #71.
Members of St. Mark Chapter #57 have held several District and Grand Positions in District #5 and now District #8:  Sister Brenda Arnette, District Education Chairperson, District Secretary, and Grand Education Chairperson:  Sister  Marilyn Ford, District Secretary, and Grand Associate Deputy.  The late Brother Bascus Utley, Grand Committee Member for Grand Officers Addresses.
St. Mark Chapter #57 presently has 41 members.  The present officers are: Sister Brenda G. Arnette, Worthy Matron, Brother Ronald H. Johnson, Worthy Patron, Sister Cleopatra Nance, Associate Matron, Brother Philip Moses, II, Sister Brenda F. Carmichael, Secretary and Sister Cassandra W. Mack, Treasurer.  The current members are: Mazel F. Arnette, (50 years), Mertis N. Barnette, Julia M. Bethea, Tamara N. Bethea, Bessie E. Blue, Roxie Bradford, Gerlene J. Brigman, Sandria J. Brown, Ruby Ellerbe, Beatrice Ford, Edward Ford, Ethel Y. Ford, Marilyn Ford, Talaphine Ford, Willie Dell Ford, Elouise Garrett, Cathy Jenkins, Charlie Jenkins, Pernell Jenkins, Polly Jenkins (50 years), Robert Jenkins, Ronald Jenkins, Shirbey B. Johnson, Lessie Johnson, Fannie Mason, Denise M. McSlellan, Imogene B. Merchant, Jasper Nance, Jr. Carolyn P. Nichols, Mary J. Potter, Keisha Rogers, Diana H. Schweitzer, Sonya, Shuler, and Phyllis C. Williams.  As we celebrate our 100th year of Stardom we are thankful for the seeds our Ancestors sowed.  Many of our Sisters and Brothers have passed on to the great beyond we honor their memory.  The Memorial Candle was lit as the names of our recently departed Sisters were called: Sister Teresa Ford and Sister Sara Anna Isaac.  The Chapter is flourishing, we hold strong to the values the ones on whose shoulders we stand instilled in us.  “Our God, Our Children, Our Heritage”

Our Celebration
Sister Brenda Arnette, Worthy Matron served as Mistress of Ceremony.  The Centennial Program began with the Processional of The Master Masons, St. Mark Chapter #57 OES, District OES Officers and Grand OES Officers.  The Opening Hymn; Lift Every Voice and Sing.  Protocol was given by Brother Philip Moses II 32°Associate Patron.  We were led to the throne of Grace by Sister Brenda Arnette.  The Scriptures were read by Brother Edward Lee Ford, Past Worthy Patron, the Welcome extended by Brother Ronald H. Johnson, Worthy Patron and the Chapter’s History was read by Sister Cleopatra Nance, Associate Matron.
The Prince Hall Affiliates gave Reflections: Jasper Court #11 Heroines of Jericho, Brother Jasper Nance, Jr.  Past Worthy Patron, Beulah Light Chapter #9 Holy Royal Arch Masons Brother Thomas English, King, St. Mark Lodge #71 Free and Accepted Masons Prince Hall Affiliated, Brother Ronald Jenkins, Past Associate Patron, The Community at Large, Sister Polly Jenkins, Past Conductress.  The Knights of Pythagoras, under the advisement of Brother Starlian Lee served as Ushers. Sister Marilyn Ford, Past Worthy Matron introduced the Speaker.
The Centennial Address of the Celebration was given by Sister Joyce M. Durant, Grand Worthy Matron of Prince Hall Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star for the State of South Carolina and Jurisdiction.  She is Past Grand Supervising Deputy of District Seven, now District Nine.  She has served the Prince Hall Grand Chapter, OES in various other capacities as well.  Sister Durant of Florence, South Carolina is Dean of the James A. Rogers Library at Francis Marion University.  
Sister Durant was honored by Francis Marion University with the Joyce M. Durant Endowed Chair in African American Studies and is an honoree of the Florence chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated.  
She is an actively involved member of St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church in Johnsonville, South Carolina.  Sister Durant is married to Brother Nathaniel Durant Jr. a Past Grand Master of Prince Hall Lodge of South Carolina.  They are the parents of three sons, a step-daughter, and five grandchildren.  Sister Durant’s motto for living is “There is a Crown of Life waiting for me if I am faithful in the Service of the Lord”.  
Sister Durant was eloquent and Spiritual in her Address; upon the conclusion she received a rousing applause.  Sister Arnette and Brother Johnson presented her with her favorite bouquet; fragrant Yellow Roses.  
The Music for the Occasion was furnished by the Laura Nance Potts Youth Choir of Union African Methodist Episcopal Church under the capable tutelage of Sister Sandria Brown Directress, and Brother Starlian Lee, Musician.  They sang angelically adding luster to the ambience of the Sanctuary.  The Sanctuary’s Pulpit and Pews were adorned in OES Ribbons for the St. Mark Chapter Seating.  Royal Blue Pew Markers were place to designate the seating of the Masonic Brothers.
Sister Arnette and Brother Johnson presented an Award of an Eastern Star Pin emblazoned with the number 50 and a Certificate to Sister Mazel Joann Arnette, Chapter Musician and our latest Fifty Year Member.  
Gifts were presented to the Grand Officers, District Officers and Chapter Members of St. Mark #57 OES.  The Recognitions were given to the various visiting OES Chapters by Sister Arnette, and the visiting Masonic Lodges were recognized by Brother Johnson.
St. Mark Chapter #57 OES published a Souvenir Journal.  We thank you Our Friends, Family and Businesses for your Support.  Because of you Our 100th Year Celebration was a tremendous success. The Chapter is appreciative of the Photography Services of Brother Charlie Jenkins and Mr. Ronnie Ford.  The Committee Members were: Sister Brenda Arnette Worthy Matron, Sister Marilyn Ford, Chairperson, Sister Tamara Nance-Bethea, Sister Brenda F. Carmichael and Brother Ronald H. Johnson.  
The Benediction and Blessing of Dinner was given by Reverend Robert D. Hunter, the efficient Pastor of Union African Methodist Episcopal Church. Dinner was served in the beautifully Fall Decorated Fellowship Hall by the Brothers of St. Mark Lodge #71.  The Masonic Brothers wore White Shirts, Black Trousers and Royal Blue Aprons with St. Mark Lodge #71 and the Masonic Emblem imprinted on them.   Everyone raved of the scrumptious of the Meal.  Thank you Brothers, for all that you do; we love and appreciate you.
The Message from St. Mark Chapter #57 OES Worthy Matron, Sister Brenda Arnette and Worthy Patron, Brother Ronald H. Johnson: “We pray that everyone will continue to be committed and always stay united in Purpose as we go about our Fathers Business of “Our God, Our Children and Our Heritage”.