By Judy Mathias
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution 77th annual meeting of the Eastern District West Virginia State Society was held July 27 at the Independent Fire Hall in Ranson. Hosted by the Bee Line Chapter of Charles Town, the theme was “West Virginia Blooms Through Service and Friendship.” All seven chapters of the eastern district were represented. Six members of the South Branch Valley Chapter attended.
Margaret “Margie” Ways, eastern district director facilitated the meeting. She reported 22 “Genealogical, Burial & Service Data for Revolutionary War Patriots Buried in West Virginia” books compiled by the WV State Society DAR had been purchased by the eastern district and were being distributed to all public libraries in the eastern district, including the libraries at Potomac State College and Shepherd College.
Judy Bowyer, South Branch Valley Chapter regent, was elected as the new eastern district director. Jerell Wright, regent of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter, was elected as secretary and Bonnie Myers, registrar of South Branch Valley Chapter, was elected treasurer.
Jane Larke, state regent, gave an update on the projects and goals for her term. She reported that the digitization of the WVDAR history from 1935 to the present has been completed by Marshall University. She would like to create a technology fund to use for present and future communication needs, and she reiterated the importance of early childhood literacy through donations of books and reading programs for children.
The play “Did She Make It?,” written and presented by the Bee Line Chapter, began the afternoon session of the meeting. The well produced play was based on the creation and sewing of the first American flag. The awards ceremony followed the play with several chapters of the eastern district being recognized. South Branch Valley Chapter received four awards: blue ribbon for the chapter achievement awards, master reports committee; spread the sparkle challenge and zero drops and resignations, membership committee; and Judy Mathias for outstanding volunteer service, patriot records project committee.
A memorial service was held at the end of the meeting which honored 11 members, including Janie Lester, a South Branch Valley Chapter member who had passed away in the last year.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a volunteer service organization dedicated to the preservation of history, promoting patriotism and the education of our children. Any woman 18 years or older, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. DAR volunteers are available and willing to assist with guidance in genealogy research for women interested in becoming a member. For more information, visit the DAR website at www.dar.org, email inquiries to membership@dar.org, or contact Myers, chapter registrar, at khs7377@aol.com.
