History

ARKANSAS SOCIETY

The Arkansas Society was organized by Lewis Edwin Neff, Deputy Governor of Oklahoma, who was serving as General Membership Chairman. Mr. Neff found that he could not accomplish his purpose in organizing the Arkansas Society by correspondence, so started off in his car and spent several weeks visiting prospects in various parts of Arkansas. This effort was made at a sacrifice of his own time and money.

On Thursday, April 8, 1954, at a luncheon meeting at the Marion Hotel in Little Rock, the Charter was presented to the new Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Arkansas. The group was addressed by Governor General, Col. Waldo Morgan Allen. Following the address, Governor General Allen presented the Charter to the new Society. There were 30 Charter members, six of whom were transfers from other State Societies. Of the 30 members who had signed the petition requesting a Charter, 20 were present.

Few of those present had known each other before, as they came from all over the State, some driving over 200 miles to get there. By the time the meeting was over, all were well acquainted and filled with enthusiasm for their new Society. Splendid publicity and picture of the Charter presentation were published in the Arkansas Democrat the day after the meeting.


AR State Charter Members

Capt. Rufus Chester Harding,USN (Ret.)

Mrs. Marion L. (Gladson) Brown

Mrs. Cahterine L. (Smith-Greer) Knorr

Mr. Sam Tyler Steel

Mr. Carlton Lee Chambers, Jr.

Mr. John Oliver Caldwell

Mrs. Priscilla (Lloyd) Neil

Mrs. Kathryn (Bettis) Phillips

Miss Mary Virginia Harding

Miss Elizabeth Ann Caldwell

Mrs. Mary Frances (Harding) Newbern

Miss Louise Ellen Plank

Mrs. Frances Virginia Leaming

Mrs. Jessamine (Plank) Smith

Mr. Adolph Helmuth Sickel

Mr. Frederick William Sickel

Mrs. Helen L. (MacDonald) Brannan

Mr. Edward Helms Leaming

Mr. William Holder Kennedy

Mr. Lloyd Bolivar Sickel

Mr. Adolph Hoarce Sickel

Miss Helen Elberta Hoffman

Mrs. Fern W. (Hoiffman) Owen

Mrs. Lucia (Wright) Whitlow

Mr. Alexander Silliman Smith

Mrs. Beulah (Keene) Bassett

Mrs. Ada (Colgrove-Hadfield) Rixse

Mr. Jimmy Keene Bassett

Mrs. Myrtle H. (Stubbs) Bradley

Miss Ellie Thomas Tatum

Several of our State Charter members served as officers for our State Society as well as the National level. The first DGG was Charter member Mrs. Marion (Gladson) Brown. She held that position in 1954, 1957, and 1960. The first AG was Charter member Mrs. Catherine (Smith-Greer) Knorr. She held that position in 1954. Mrs. Knorr served as AR State Governor from1957 to1960. Charter member, Mrs. Jessamine (Plank) Smith served as AG in 1960. She served as DGG in 1963. She also served as AR State Governor from 1963 to 1966.

Other members who served our state society as well as National

Duane A. Cline was the DGG for Arkansas in 1987 and 1991. He was elected to the second highest office on the General Level in 1993 when he was elected to office of Assistant Governor General. Mrs. Ruth M. (Flagg) Oberhelman served as AG in 1987 and 1991. She served for many years as DGG starting in 1993. In 1976, the Arkansas Society was recognized with the membership award from the General Society for the largest percentage in membership increase of any state that year. Arkansas Society received a certificate and its name was engraved on the silver Norman Joy Greene Award Bowl which is on permanent display at the Mayflower House and Museum in Plymouth. The Arkansas Society won that award again in 1991, and was awarded another certificate in addition to having its name engraved on the Norman Joy Greene Bowl for a second time.

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Arkansas began with a group of about 23 Pilgrim descendants, all who relocated to our state. They applied for and received a charter on April 8, 1954. Since our charter, AR Society has been proudly served by the following AR State Governors:


1954-55 Capt. Chester R. Harding

1955-57 Mrs. Arthur S. (Marion) Brown

1957-60 Mrs. Herman A. (Catherine) Knorr

1960-63 Mr. Frank B. Morgan

1963-66 Mrs. Edward P. (Jessamine) Smith

1955-69 Mr. Lawrence L. Brown, Sr

1969-72 Mrs. Robert L. (Myrtle) Bradley

1972-75 Mrs. Adelbert J. (Marjorie) Webb

1975-76 Mrs. Robert J. (Ruth) Cuff

1976-78 Col. Lawerence L. Browne, Jr. (ret.)

1978-81 Mr. Charles D. Deraleau

1981-84 Miss Helen E. Hoffman

1984-87 Mrs. William B. (Virginia) Sharp

1987-93 Mr. Duane A. Cline

1993-96 Mrs. Otto (Ruth) Oberhelman

1996-99 Mrs. Richard (Lael) Finch

1999-02 Mr. Alan C. Cline

2002-05 Col. Duane E. Vandenberg (ret.)

2005-08 Mrs. Randy P. (Kathlyn) Brown

2008-11 Mrs. James E. (Gale) Markley

2011-14 Mrs. David N. (Linda) White

2014-15 Mr. Charles H. Clark

2015-18 Mr. Jimmie Weber

2018-21 Mr Kevin Shannon

2021-present Dr Marvin Singleton


Present Governor Dr Marvin Singleton


Four of our State Governors also have served as officers at the National Level. Mr. Frank B. Morgan served as Assistant General, Mrs. Edward P.(Jessamine) Smith served as Deputy Governor General, Mr. Duane Cline served as National Assistant Governor General and Mrs. Otto (Ruth) Oberhelman served as National Deputy Governor General.