Brother George Shannon (the Grand Worthy Pa- tron at the time and the deceased husband of our current 4th Grand Worthy Matron Elvera Ricks Shannon) were instrumental in paying tribute to Sister Bell, posthumously naming the Mary M. Bell Building at Camp Chicota. The building was completed in 1983 and was valued at over $170,000. A legend is simply defined as an extreme- ly notorious person, especially in a particular field. Sister Bell ’ s import in the field and Order of Eastern Star is remarkable. It cannot be over- stated or ignored. Her ideas contributed to the growth and unity of the order. Her contributions are just as important today as they were over 60 years ago. She couldn ’ t have imagined the effect she would have on the order. Dynamic she was. Outstanding she was. Dedicated is an under- statement. She was our very own Grand Worthy Matron Mary McGriff Bell, a Legend in her
Mary McGriff Bell funeral service announcement
the camp never went without, and would always have a funding source, the annual Queen ’ s Con- test was introduced by Sister Bell! Presently, in 2022, the Queen ’ s Contest is s till the biggest funding source behind Camp Chicota. Sadly, by December 1967, Sister Mary McGriff Bell passed away. She remained Grand Worthy Matron until her death. Her funeral was held on January 3, 1968 at Warren Method- ist Church in Lake Charles, LA. She is buried in Combre Memorial Park. Her funeral was well attended by many OES sisters and Prince Hall Masonic brothers – including the MWGM John G. Lewis, Jr. In 1981, the 3rd Grand Worthy Matron, Esther Lee Meadors and Masonic
own right.
Mary McGriff Bell headstone
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