THE UNITED GRAND CHAPTER ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR, INC. 441 Willoughby Avenue Brooklyn, THE HISTORY OF THE
On June 16, 1972, the Queen Esther Grand, the Orient Grand, the Oriental Grand, and The Omega Grand chapters, formed an agreement to merge; wherein they could best encourage and disseminate the light, knowledge and beauty of the order of the Eastern Star. Thus, the United Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, State of Under the supervision of the most worshipful, Edwin Sturrup, Grand Master, the first officers of the United Grand Chapter started the solid foundation of this unified body. They were brother Longsworth Bodden, Worthy Grand patron, sister Ruth Revell, Worthy Grand Matron, brother Theodore Sally, Associate Grand Patron, sister Naomi Liggins, Associate Grand Matron, sister Mattie Coleman, Grand Treasurer sister Ida Lawrence Neal, Grand Financial Secretary. In June of 1977, the late brother George McDonald was elected Worthy Grand Patron; Brother James West succeeded him in June of 1981. Brother Carlton LeGendre was elected in June 1983 and was succeeded in 1984 by brother Charlie Watson Jr. In June 1988 Brother Harry Wilson succeeded Brother Watson. Brother F. C. Carey was elected in 1989 and served until June 1991 when Brother Hubert Terry was voted into office. Brother Bertram S. Knight was elected in June of 1992 and served for 10 years until June 2002 when Brother Norris Singleton was appointed to office. Our Former Grand Matrons: The late Sisters Florine Ingram, Esther Frazier, Ruth Berridge, Susie Brown followed by Sister Julia hunter, Sister Minnie l. Cambridge, Sister Josephine Dean, Sister Alice Johnson in 1972 the late Sister Ruth Revell. In June 1979 Sister Cora J. Gammons was elected worthy Grand Matron and served for fourteen (14) years of dedicated service. In 1993 the late sister Erma Barfield was elected and Sister Mattie I. Coleman followed in 1993-1999. She was succeeded by sister Naomi E. Liggins who was followed by sister Sister Juanita Copes from 2001-2006. Sister Copes was followed by sister Sylvia M. Tomlin 2006-2009 and Sister Arlene B. Punnett was elected in 2009. The 1983, our membership was enhanced in number and leadership by the merger with Athenia Grand Chapter, OES. We have cheerfully as a federally tax- exempt Nonprofit organization contributed to such worthy causes as NAACP (life member), The Negro College Fund, The Deborah Heart Foundation, The Sickle Cell Anemia Fund, Save the Children of Somolia Foundation, The Willoughby Nursing Home, The David Dupont Foundation, Boys scouts of America, American Cancer Society, the Lupus foundation, as well as various other worthy causes. The United Grand Chapter Scholarship Assistance Fund gives annually to deserving off-springs and relatives of our members that qualify. Our Book Grants are also given annually to several students. Our Annual Thanksgiving Feeding is done in November and the Christmas Party for City Homeless Children is held every year in December.
Fraternally, Bro. Kevin E. Fair, MW Grand Master Sister Arlene B. Punnett, Worthy Grand Matron Sister Jackie Rucker, Grand Financial Secretary
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Worhty Grand Matron Sister Arlene B. Punnett  ARLENE BAXTER PUNNETT “The heights of great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight. They, while their companion slept were toiling upward through the night.” Born on the Canal Zone in the Republic of Panama where she completed her primary and secondary education. She earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from the Canal Zone Jr. College, a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. She apprenticed in Laboratory Science at St. Barnabas hospital in Bronx, NY and in 1975, earned a Master of Arts degree in Management and Supervision of Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University. She retired from the Department of Pathology at the Lenox Hill Hospital after 37 years of service as a Microbiologist ansd Manager of Support Services. A faithful and devoted member for 45 years of the Church of St. Mark (Episcopal), Inc. Brooklyn where Rev. Dr. Peter W.D. Bramble is Rector. She is also a member of Stewardship committee, and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. On January 3, 1989 she was initiated into the Order of Eastern Star, Mara Chapter #7, New York, United Grand Chapter, OES, Inc. under the MW Hiram Grand Lodge, AF &AM. State of New York. Past Worthy Matron Mara Chapter No. 7 Past Royal Matron Gertrude Court No.4, R.E.O.A. 1990 Past Most Ancient Matron Rahab Court No.1 1991 Past Chief Counselor Mary Magdalene Council No.1 1993 Most Worthy Grand Matron Almas Court No. 15 2009 Fredericka Palace No.1 Royal Ladies Palace 2001 She served on the Supreme level as Supreme Ways & Means Chairperson of the Supreme Lady Knight Council, Supreme Recording Secretary, Heroines of Jericho and presently servinging as the Supreme Financial Secretary – Supreme Heroines of Jericho. She was privileged to serve United Grand Chapter, OES, Inc. as Grand Financial Secretary, Grand Recording Secretary, Associate Grand Matron, Ways & Means Chairperson and Newsletter Editor. On June 2009 she was elected Worthy Grand Matron of United Grand Chapter, OES, Inc. Arlene, is the proud mother of one son, Omar Alberto Warren, mother-in law of Opal and grandmother of Horace, Jade and Omar Jr. Worthy Grand Patron-MW Norris Singleton 33* Brother Singleton was born in Edisto Island, Brother Singleton started his Masonic career in 1963 when he was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Sons of Bethlehem Lodge No. 28th AF&AM, Hiram Grand Lodge Jurisdiction New York, New York. He has held all offices from the Tyler to being elected to Worshipful Master in 1966. O.E.S. Roles:
Grand Lodge Roles:
He is a born again Christian who has always believed that in order to move forward in life, God must be in control. He serves as Deacon of the Progressive Baptist Church, Brooklyn Brother Singleton’s motto: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths”. Proverbs 3: 5-6.
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