“The Rosette”

Newsletter of the Tennessee Society Order of Confederate Rose

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Summer Edition ~ July 2014

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the President’s Desk I trust everyone is enjoying the summer! Sure hope we have as fine of a summer as we did last year. I’m looking forward to July and a big time in Charleston at the National Convention. Our biggest news is the chartering of 2 new chapters here in Tennessee!! Yes 2 and with all these new members we have passed the 200 mark in the Tennessee Society membership!! And that really excites me!! In White County Dibrell’s White Roses #13 (re-chartering of an old chapter) and Antoinette Polk #20 in Maury County. We have passed the 200 mark, 206 by my count. Woo Hoo – we are growing – new apps just keep coming in! More patriots to continue the fight. (On that note, with my worsening memory, I just am often at a loss to remember all the names of all our wonderful members, so if ya’ll run into me somewhere please HELP me remember and introduce yourself. Sometimes folks I know real well just slip into the part of my brain (?) that holds names and I’m lost. ) I am proud to report the donations in the amount of $500 each, voted on at the state convention have been given. These went to NBF Home, Parks Ridge Confederate Plaza, Sam Davis Home, Athenaeum, HK Edgerton, and Gen. Hatton Camp’s flag restoration project. We are very proud to announce Thorn James Patterson #6 was elected 1st Lt. Comm. TN Div. SCV. He has also been elected the new president of the board of directors at the Sam Davis Home. Many of us participated in the Tennessee Society State Convention in Union City. Mariam Beck Forrest #5 hosted the convention and did an outstanding job celebrating the TNSOCR’s 10th birthday! Another milestone! We are all grateful for all they did for us and for serving and providing the sumptuous spread at the SCV social “meet and greet” evening. By acclimation, since no one came forward to challenge incumbents for any of the positions of state offices, the same ladies were voted to hold their current positions for the 2014-2016 term.

2014-2016 TNSOCR Officers at the state convention (Clara & Carolyn were unable to attend)

Back row: Debria, Jan. Front row: Linda, Pat, Debbie, Vonda, Betty

In humble service to the South, Vonda Dixon, TNSOCR President

Your Tennessee State Officers: The current executive board: Vonda Dixon, Chapter #10 - State President

Jan Hensley, Chapter #5 - W. Tenn. Vice President Betty Aronson, Chapter #18 - E. Tenn. Vice President

Carolyn Hedgecoth, Chapter #1 - Treasurer Pat Butler, Chapter #14 - Secretary.

Other Tennessee State Positions: Debria Beatey, Chapter #6 - Historian

Debbie Raymer Chapter #1 - Aide de Campe Clara Craft, Chapter #11 - Black Rose Keeper of the Rite

Linda Boshers, Chapter #6 - Chaplain Jan Hensley and Vonda Dixon - state website www.tnsocr.org

Quarterly Newsletter - Vonda Dixon

Index

From the President’s Desk - Page 1 Officers and Index – Page 2 Tennessee State Convention – Page 3 Chapter #1 Roses of the Cumberlands - Page 12 Chapter #5 Mariam Beck Forrest - Page 15 Chapter #6 Jane Simmons Davis - Page 14 Chapter #10 Aunt Polly Eaton Williams - Page 7 Chapter #11 Wild Mountain Roses – Page 13 Chapter #13 Dibrell’s White Roses - Page 4 Chapter #14 Highland Roses - Page 6 Chapter #18 Cynthia Holford Officer - Pages 8-9 Chapter #19 Alice Thompson - Page 14 Chapter #20 Antoinette Polk – Page 17 Black Rose Society - Page 5 Rosebuds & Young Rebels - Page 10 Praise and Prayers - Page 9 Nathan Bedford Forrest Boyhood Home - Page 11 * Nothing submitted

The NexT issue of “The RoseTTe” will be - Fall 2014 - to go out on October 1st. Please try to submit your articles a week before that date.

Page 2

Tennessee State Convention 2014

Union City, Tennessee

Hosted by Mariam Beck Forrest Chapter #5

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY TNSOCR !!! Lou, Maria, and Deb at work on the SCV social.

Jan serving at the SCV Mike Beck presenting Debbie Some of us at the SCV banquet. Social on Friday evening. the SCV R.E.Lee award.

In the general meeting, the beautiful keepsake boxes each lady received, and guest speaker Danny

Campbell “Grizzly” who did an awesome talk on herbs and herbal medicine.

Page 3

Dibrell’s White Roses #13, Sparta

Dibrell’s White Roses Chapter #13, re-chartered with 13 members on April 1st, and witnessed by visitors from 4 other chapters. New officers are: Nancy Hambrick, Barbara Ray, Sue Savage, and Lisa Howell.

Members at the Officer Massacre Memorial and at the location where it took place.

Members at the CS Memorial Day Servie in Cookeville, Joey commanding the cannon crew.

Members also attended Granville Heritage Day and the Affair at Travisville.

Page 4

Society of the Black Rose Honoring and mourning our men in gray.

Walker Memorial - Putnam County Officer Massacre Memorial – Overton County

Jackie Dennison #11, Hollywood Cem., Richmond, Va. Vonda Dixon #10 and Debbie Smith #14

CS Memorial Day in Cookeville

Carolyn #1, Vonda #10, Betty #18, Clara #11 Betty #18, Vonda#10, Barbara #6 - Gen. Leonidas Polk

at the Bob Stover Memorial Service, Elizabethton, TN 150th Funeral Reencatment, Arrington, TN

Page 5

Highland Roses #14, Cookeville

Dr. Sam and Sheila Barns, Dr. Jim and Karla McKinney, Mike Williams, Pat Butler, Ed Julian, Marty Smith and Debbie Smith enjoyed a wonderful ceremony (thanks to Mike) at the Confederate Decoration Day in Cookeville. Our chapter provided and served the refreshments to the crowd.

CS Memorial Day Service at the Cookeville City Cemetery

In honor of Memorial Day, Marty and Debbie Smith placed flowers and Confederate flags, on behalf of the Savage/Goodner Camp #1513, at the monument of General John Hunt Morgan of Morgan’s Raiders on the square in Alexandria, and the Confederate Monument at the DeKalb Co. Court House, along with the grave of the Unknown Soldier in Smithville. Mike Williams also attended the re-enactment at Byrdstown (Affair at Travisville), Heritage Days in Granville, Poke Sallet Festival in Gainesboro, and the U.S. Memorial Day Ceremonies at Livingston and Gainesboro. Mike Williams, Pat Butler, Marty Smith and Debbie Smith attended the Nathan Bedford Forrest Boyhood Home. April 11th and 12th, Mike Williams, Ed & Pat Butler, Debbie and Marty Smith had a wonderful time at the Tenn. Reunion in Union City. Congratulations to Highland Brigade Comm. Mike Williams on his re-election ! Submitted by, Debbie Smith, secretary

Memorial Day flowers in Smithville Marty & Debbie and Debbie & Pat in Union City

Page 6

Aunt Polly Eaton Williams Chapter #10, Gainesboro Aunt Polly has elected new officers for the coming 2 years – including the first Thorn in Tenn. to hold a chapter office! Members of this chapter participated in the 150th Resaca, camping at Granville Heritage Day, Poke Sallet Festival – where we did a demonstration of the Virginia Reel, the CS Memorial Day service at Cookeville, Sacramento Reenactment, TN Tourism week at the I-40 rest area, US Memorial Day in Livingston, NBF Boyhood Home, Walker Memorial, Officer Massacre Memorial, 150th memorial funeral of Gen. Polk, and the Bob Stover Memorial. On our way home from there Betty and I visited the Gen. Longstreet HQ and Museum near Morristown, I recommend a visit. I also spoke to several groups during Granville School Day, at Defeated School, and the Smith County Adult Leadership Class. En route to Union Cit y for our convention and SCV reunion 3 members of Aunt Polly #10: Ray Myers, Charles Bowling, and I, as well as Mike Williams #14, and Betty Aronson and Larry Gunnels #18 visited the Parkers Crossroads Visitor Center and then rendezvoused at Dixie Gun Works prior to the TNSOCR EC and president’s meeting. Looking forward to Charleston, SC next month and the OCR national meeting!

New officers: Vonda Dixon-Pres., Lisa & Bobby at Sacramento Vonda, Ray, Tom, Marcia, and Ms Eleanor Ray Myers-VP, Marcia Glynn-Sec/Treas attended the CS Memorial Day, Cookeville City Cem.

Poke Sallet Festival, Gainesboro Vonda at I-40 rest area with Ranger Halfacre & Adult Leadership Class

US Memorial Day Service in Livingston (Page 7) Granville Heritage Day, Jackson County

Roses and Thorns visiting Parker’s Crossroads Betty and Vonda at the Gen. Longstreet Museum (with thanks to

Kevin W. for asking Linda to stay open for us.)

Cynthia Holford Officer Chapter #18, Sparta/Livingston

On April 1st, Vonda and I attended the rechartering of the Dibrell's White Roses Chapter, also sponsored by our

sponsoring camp in Sparta. It was wonderful to welcome our "sister chapter" back to TN OCR! Sunday, April 6th,

found Thorn Larry Gunnels and I making the hike through the "wilderness" to attend the Walker Cemetery

memorial. And when I say, hike I am not exaggerating. The directions said a short quarter mile walk to the

cemetery; apparently someone failed to look up the description for "walk vs hike" and took a wild guess as to the

length of said "walk". After about a 20 minute HIKE uphill and over muddy creeks and tire tracks in period

mourning, we reached the secluded and peaceful site of the Walker Cemetery to honor those brave Confederates

buried there. I may never get all the brambles and stickers out of my hoop and drawers, but it was a wonderful

ceremony given by our Highland Brigade. Friday, April 11 Vonda and I began our trek to West Tennessee for State

Reunion. We began the journey as part of a convoy from our neck of the woods that consisted of Thorns Larry

Gunnels, Ray Myers, and Brigade Commander Mike Williams. This formation lasted until we reached Parkers

Crossroads Military Park, where we toured the museum and had planned to tour the battlefield, as the guys had

never been there before. Well, to date they STILL have never been there as they couldn't manage to find the

battlefield which is DIRECTLY ACROSS THE ROAD from the museum, even with multiple phone calls and

directions a 6 yr old could have followed. Do we know why we lost the War?? Reunion was wonderful and kudos to

the Mariam Beck Forrest Chapter for putting on one of the best reunions I've ever attended! It is always a great

time to see my SCV/OCR brothers and sisters each year. On Monday, April 14 Thorn Larry Gunnels and I attended

a meeting at the Champ Ferguson Camp in Standing Stone, along with Charles Ervin, and Carolyn and Jerry

Hedgecoth, and had the great pleasure of meeting the great-grandson of Capt. Champ Ferguson who currently lives

in Canada. At 97 yrs of age, Mr. Ferguson looked many years younger and had compelling evidence of his descending

from Champ Ferguson, and held all in attendance spellbound. Saturday, April 26 was the annual Officer House

Memorial at the Conley-Officer Cemetery in Sinking Cane, honoring the 6 Confederates massacred at the Officer

House on March 13, 1864 as well as our chapter namesake, Cynthia Holford Officer whose wounding that fateful

day saved the lives of her entire family as well as their home. It was my privilege to eulogize the 6 Confederates

and lay our chapter wreath on Mrs. Officer's grave.

After a week long stay as the unwilling guest of Vanderbilt Hospital at the beginning of May, I bounced back on

Friday, May 16 to play hostess to my cousin, Eleanor Rogers Edmondson of Odessa, Texas, and give her a personal

tour of our family homeplace and cemeteries, including the Rogers Cemetery in Hickory Valley where our 3

Confederates are buried. Eleanor is the author of several books about our Rogers branch and an extremely

knowledgeable professional genealogist. On Tuesday, May 16, Vonda and I traveled to Columbia for the chartering

Page 8

ceremony of the Antoinette Polk Chapter 20 which included the opportunity of seeing Antoinette's flag given to

her by Gen. N. B. Forrest. Saturday, May 24 CHO participated at the Granville Heritage Days along with Aunt

Polly's Chapter and the Highland Brigade. Monday, May 26 it was my honor and pleasure to participate in the

Memorial Day celebration given by Livingston American Legion Post #4 and Commander Larry Gunnels (Thorn),

where Vonda and I distributed literature explaining how Memorial Day began as Confederate Decoration Day in the

South.

Saturday, June 7 found Vonda and I on the road again to Elizabethton, TN where we were honored to participate in

the memorial hosted by our sister chapter, Wild Mountain Roses honoring white and black Confederates of the

Stover family buried there. On Sunday, June 8, I was pleased to represent our chapter by reading a poem

composed by an unknown Confederate, along with Thorn Larry Gunnels who gave the invocation, at the Confederate

Memorial Day observance at Cookeville Cemetery hosted by the Highland Brigade. Saturday, June 21 were the

annual Forrest Home festivities in Chapel Hill, TN and while a bit toasty for my tastes, I was delighted to see many

of our chapter sisters there honoring one of our greatest Confederate Generals. I'm planning to end the month by

attending the funeral services for Gen. Leonidas Polk in Arrington, TN on Sunday, June 29 with Vonda. Hope to see

everyone in Charleston at National Reunion!

God bless Dixie and God save the South, Betty Aronson, President

Betty at the Officer Memorial she planned and Betty and Larry at the CS Memorial Service in Cookeville

Prayer Requests Clara Craft #11 over all health Betty Aronson #18 upcoming exploratory surgery TNSOCR and it’s current attack Beth Sims #20 health issues Ms. Ruby #1 recovering from knee surgery Frank Holladay #1 health issues Charles Bowling #10 recovering from a stroke

Praise Reports McKenzie McKaskle #10 mother’s brain surgery success! Vonda Dixon #10 new grandson Corbin Job Cooper Amy Clayborne #19 Maury County teacher of the year!

Spike and Traci Spears #19 Marriage Donna Ramsey and Lon Osmon #19 Engagement Lisa Howell and Joey Savage #13 Engagement Wow!! Cupid has sure been been busy in the OCR!! We are contemplating a new slogan – “Forget eHarmony – Join Tennessee OCR!” - What do ya’ll think?

Page 9