Dynamic. Outstanding. Dedicated. These are all adjectives used to describe the 2nd Grand Worthy Matron of Esther Grand Chapter, Order of East- ern Star (EGCOES), Sister Mary McGriff Bell. Only one Grand Worthy Matron served before Sister Bell. The 1st Grand
she obtained a master ’ s degree. She taught in the public schools of Lake Charles and ultimate- ly retired from same. Sister Bell was well known throughout the state as an educator and eventually as the inspiring head of the Order of Eastern Star.
Worthy Matron was Sister Mi- nerva G. Minor. Although 69 chapters were organized during Sis Minor ’ s administration, Sis Bell is credited with more than tripling the number of active subordinate chapters from 53 to 163, and exponentially in- creasing the total assets of Es- ther Grand Chapter. Much of the personal and historical data concerning Sister Bell is sparse. However, the following information has been confirmed through multi- ple sources and research. Sis-
At the time of the 1st Grand Worthy Matron ’ s death in 1948, Sister Bell was serving as Grand Associate Matron of EGCOES. She was immediate- ly appointed Acting Grand Worthy Matron, then later nom- inated, and installed as Grand Worthy Matron at the 1948 Grand Session in Bogalusa, LA. She hit the ground run- ning! The correspondence be- tween Sister Bell and the Most Worshipful Grand Master (MWGM) at the time - John G. Lewis, Jr. - who resided in Ba-
Sister Mary McGriff Bell 1903 – 1967
ter Bell was born in 1903. She was married to Willie Bell, an insurance executive and real es- tate operator. They adopted and fostered two children - Clarence H. Bell and Mable G. Rob- inson. Sister Bell resided in Lake Charles, LA with her family and did live there throughout the duration of her administration. She was educat- ed at Columbia University in New York where
ton, Rouge, LA, demonstrate Sister Bell ’ s com- mitment to assuring the growth and perpetuity of the order. It also makes quite clear that her ad- ministration was not without hiccups. However, Sis Bell maintained constant communication with the MWGM, writing dozens of letters to him weekly discussing the growth and state of the or- der. She regularly sought his advice, often re-
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