Photo Record
Images
Additional Images [6]
Metadata
Title |
Fanola Nell Whitlock DeSpain and the Order of the Eastern Star |
Collection |
Fanola Nell Whitlock DeSpain Photograph Collection |
Catalog Number |
023PC6 |
Date |
ca. 1958-2002 |
Location |
Kentucky |
Description |
This collection mainly consists of midcentury photographs of Fanola Nell Whitlock DeSpain, before and after serving in her role as Worthy Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Fanola held this position from 1968-1969, and many of these photographs document her "inspections" of various district chapters all over Kentucky, as well as how she spent her leisure time during these visits. Fanola Nell Whitlock DeSpain was born on December 3, 1917, in Green County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Robert Marion Whitlock and Bertha Everett Mouser Whitlock. Fanola graduated from Lindsey Wilson College and began her teaching career at in 1936. In 1939, Fanola married Charles Thomas DeSpain, a farmer and teacher. Charles was a member of the Greensburg Masonic Lodge No.54. Fanola went on to earn her BS from Western Kentucky Normal School in 1948. She was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star in 1955 and served as Worthy Grand Matron of the Kentucky Grand Chapter from 1968-1969. During this year, she performed "inspections" of the other District chapters in Kentucky. This typically entailed a formal dinner or other social gathering, and a ceremony. In 1982 Fanola retired from teaching. Throughout her long life, Fanola was a dedicated member of the Greensburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She passed away on November 30, 2013, in Greensburg. The Order of the Eastern Star is a Masonic appendant organization, which was created by the prominent American poet and Freemason Rob Morris in 1850. The group's mission is built upon Biblical teaching, but it is open to all religions. Members can be either men or women, as long as they are over the age of 18. Men who join must be Master Masons already, and women must have specific familial or spousal relationships with Masons. The symbol of the Order is a five-pointed star, with the white ray always pointing down. The points each symbolize a "character-building lesson", which are named after Biblical female figures. During certain ceremonies, officers will dress to represent these figures. The Order is organized around the General Grand Chapter, which is in their headquarters in Washington, D.C. The GGC serves as the central authority for the Grand Jurisdictions, which include 46 states, 8 Canadian Provinces, D.C., Puerto Rico, Bolivia, Sao Paulo, and Italy. Beneath the Grand Jurisdictions, there are individual local chapters. Each Grand Jurisdiction has a hierarchy of leadership. At the top are the Worthy Matron and the Worthy Patron, with the Matron serving as the presiding officer and the Patron being a Master Mason who can provide supervision and guidance. These offices are only for one year, but once a member has held this office, they adopt the post-nominal letters PM or PP. Inspection sites sampled in this collection include Hopkinsville, Uniontown, Morehead, Louisville, Glasgow, Laurel, and Grand Chapter. |
Search Terms |
Fashion Freemasonry Monasticism and religious orders Order of the Eastern Star Societies Twentieth century |