Alabama Society Colonial Dames XVII Century
George Maris Chapter, Birmingham
Gertrude Worthington Jeffries (Mrs. Frank M.) Organizing President of the George Maris Chapter in 1951.
Chapter Officers 2023-2025
President Mary Anne Kane-Garrett
1st Vice President Donna Morris 2nd Vice President Nancy Krenkel Chaplain Alleen Cater Recording Secretary Linda Joseph Corresponding Secretary Catherine Kirpalani Treasurer Judith Arthur Registrar Colleen Sanders Historian Linda Jones Librarian Nell Rose Brackett Parliamentarian (Appointed) Judith Arthur |
Standing Committees 2023-2025
Awards, Gifts & Special Activities Mary Anne Kane-Garrett
By-Laws Judith Kennedy Arthur Colonial Heritage, Research & Records Colleen Patricia Sanders Finance Mary Anne Kane-Garrett General Scholarships Carolyn Plummer Drennen Grave Markers Mary Florence Armstrong Woodard Heraldry & Coat of Arms Ann Slappey Nix Black Insignia Catherine Kirpalani Junior Membership Kathleen Gillian Tobias Marking & Preservation of Historic Sites Joan Benjamin Lewellyn Membership Colleen Sanders Museum Connie Haynesworth Grund National Defense Pamelia Ann Mays Spivey Pocahontas Projects Linda Joseph Public Relations Malinda Williams Technical Support Leslie Ann Kirk Veterans Service Neville Peacock Special Committee ~ 250 Celebrate America Mary Anne Kane-Garrett |
Chapter Past Presidents
Gertrude Worthington Jeffries (Mrs. Frank M.) 1952–1955
Edna High Thomas McCormick (Mrs. James G.) 1955–1958 Julie Jeffries Carlisle (Mrs. Robert F.) 1958–1960 Evelyn Screws Speaker (Mrs. Elias D.) 1960–1962 Edna Jones Lide (Mrs. Martin J., Jr.). 1962–1964 Ruby Cocke Gaines Harper (Mrs. Harold) 1964–1966 Lois Amy Starbuck Pearson (Mrs. Frank E.) 1966–1969 Edythe M. Peerman (Miss) 1969–1971 Lillian Glenn Culley (Mrs. Donnell H.). 1971–1972 Hope Huey Lane (Mrs. Harry Eugene) 1972–1975 Lydia Gleek Orem (Mrs. H. Phillip) 1975–1977 Mary Brumbach Dilworth Frierson (Mrs. Gideon B.) 1977–1979 Leah Rawls Atkins (Mrs. George A.). 1979–1981 Lillian Culley White (Mrs. Dewey A., Jr.) 1981–1983 Claire Cooper Dorough (Mrs. T. Jack) 1983–1985 Lillian Culley White (Mrs. Dewey A., Jr.). 1985–1987 Mary Alice Beatty Carmichael (Mrs. J. Donald) 1987–1989 Mary Alice Beatty Carmichael (Mrs. J. Donald) 1989–1991 Meredith McDonald Whetstone (Mrs. John T., Jr.) 1991–1993 Jean Evans Haworth (Mrs. Michael E., Jr.) 1993–1995 Claire Cooper Dorough (Mrs. T. Jack) 1995–1997 Martha Rogers Burchfield (Mrs. Marcell) 1997–1999 Joan Benjamin Lewellyn (Mrs. Robert L.). 1999-2001 Carolyn Plummer Drennen (Mrs. Donald, Jr.) 2001-2003 Sandra Son Fox (Mrs. Anthony N.) 2003-2005 Anne Bates Gibbons (Mrs. Grady W.). 2005-2007 Carole McAdams Thomas (Mrs. E. Lamar) 2007-2009 Judith Kennedy Arthur (Mrs. Arch S.) 2009-2011 Linda Williams Shabo (Mrs. Joseph G.) 2011-2013 Barbara Carlton Traylor (Mrs. Jimmie W.) 2013 Joan Parker Hull (Mrs. Daniel T.) 2013-2015 Constance Haynsworth Grund (Mrs. Edward L.) 2015-2017 Marlene Lee Lawley 2017-2019 Mary Anne Kane-Garrett 2019-2021 Margaret Elizabeth Speer Gillian (Mrs. Earl) 2021-2023 |
Photos ~ Events
Birmingham, AL
January 17, 2024
Guest speaker: Amy Peterson O'Brien
Birmingham, AL
December 7, 2023
Veterans Service Chair Neville Peacock has been busy! On Dec. 7, she delivered most of the socks our members donated at the November meeting to the American Legion Post 555. We donated over 100 pairs of socks! These socks will go into goodie bags which Nancy Waller (Chair at the American Legion Post 555) will deliver to the Birmingham VA Hospital. The Maris Chapter also donated 250 signed Christmas cards to the Veterans Home in Pell City.
Birmingham, AL
November 15, 2023
We raised over $1,000 in donations for national and
exceeded our goal of 100 socks for the VA patients with 124 donated
exceeded our goal of 100 socks for the VA patients with 124 donated
Birmingham, AL
September 20, 2023
Guest Speaker: Dr. Forschler-Tarrasch
Birmingham Museum of Art
June 22, 2023
The George Maris Chapter visited the BMA. Eight members were in attendance for the trip. The Chapter met Dr. Forschler-Tarrash and had a brief look at the Wedgwood Collections.
Chapter Officers 2023-2025
Birmingham, AL
17 May 2023
Seated (L to R): Donna Morris (First VP), Deborah Hicks (Alabama State Society President), Mary Anne Kane-Garrett (President), and Colleen Sanders (Registrar).
Standing (L to R): Nell Rose Brackett (Librarian), Linda Jones (Historian), Nancy Krenkel (Second VP), Judith Arthur (Treasurer & Parliamentarian), Alleen Cater (Chaplain), and Linda Joseph (Recording Secretary)
Not Pictured: Catherine Kirpalani (Corresponding Secretary)
Standing (L to R): Nell Rose Brackett (Librarian), Linda Jones (Historian), Nancy Krenkel (Second VP), Judith Arthur (Treasurer & Parliamentarian), Alleen Cater (Chaplain), and Linda Joseph (Recording Secretary)
Not Pictured: Catherine Kirpalani (Corresponding Secretary)
In Memoriam
Marlene Lee Lawley
September 4, 1946 – February 11, 2020
Marlene was born to parents Glenn Arwyn Lee and Floye Bell Burnett Lee on September 4, 1946 in Birmingham, Alabama. She grew up in Central Park, accepted Jesus early in life while growing in the Hunter Street Baptist Church community. She attended Central Park Elementary, West End High School, and was first in her family lineage to graduate from college (Livingston University, class of ‘68).
Marlene is survived by her sons Charles “Bunk” Lawley II, John Richard Lawley (Mindy), daughter Dawn Lawley Bone (Brian); 6 grandchildren, Rick Lawley (Chelsea), Christopher Lawley (Stephanie), Taylor Arnette, Brady Arnette, Troy Bone and Kaylee Bone; 5 great grandchildren, Ryan Lawley, Jacob Lawley, Noah Lawley, Isaac Lawley, and Charlie Lawley, her sister Glenda Ogletree, niece Alison Conroy (Brian), nephew Derek Ogletree, uncle Frank and aunt Francis Sims and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins and a precious friend group she called “Sistas”. She is preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Floye Bell Lee.
Marlene worked for Southern Research Institute for over 30 years, instrumental in their cancer research programs. Following retirement, she pursued one of her passions and was involved with several historical and lineage societies. She was a member of the Lily of the Cahaba Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Chapter Regent 2010-2013, and then was voted as Honorary Chapter Regent, a Charter Member of the Alabama Society Southern Dames of America and was currently serving as State Registrar and as a Bylaws State Chairman, and the George Maris Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century, Chapter President 2017-2019.
She always enjoyed conversations and time spent with family and friends, was rich in family traditions, and enjoyed expanding her interest in deep knowledge of genealogy and historical research.
She was a faithful member of Liberty Church for almost 40 years, and loved her church family as much as her own. She was always grateful to the church family for their support, guidance, and direction.
If desired, please make donations in her name to Liberty Church choice of missions, Lily of the Cahaba Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, Alabama State Society of Southern Dames of America George Maris Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century or any other historical lineage society.
Marlene is survived by her sons Charles “Bunk” Lawley II, John Richard Lawley (Mindy), daughter Dawn Lawley Bone (Brian); 6 grandchildren, Rick Lawley (Chelsea), Christopher Lawley (Stephanie), Taylor Arnette, Brady Arnette, Troy Bone and Kaylee Bone; 5 great grandchildren, Ryan Lawley, Jacob Lawley, Noah Lawley, Isaac Lawley, and Charlie Lawley, her sister Glenda Ogletree, niece Alison Conroy (Brian), nephew Derek Ogletree, uncle Frank and aunt Francis Sims and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins and a precious friend group she called “Sistas”. She is preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Floye Bell Lee.
Marlene worked for Southern Research Institute for over 30 years, instrumental in their cancer research programs. Following retirement, she pursued one of her passions and was involved with several historical and lineage societies. She was a member of the Lily of the Cahaba Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Chapter Regent 2010-2013, and then was voted as Honorary Chapter Regent, a Charter Member of the Alabama Society Southern Dames of America and was currently serving as State Registrar and as a Bylaws State Chairman, and the George Maris Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century, Chapter President 2017-2019.
She always enjoyed conversations and time spent with family and friends, was rich in family traditions, and enjoyed expanding her interest in deep knowledge of genealogy and historical research.
She was a faithful member of Liberty Church for almost 40 years, and loved her church family as much as her own. She was always grateful to the church family for their support, guidance, and direction.
If desired, please make donations in her name to Liberty Church choice of missions, Lily of the Cahaba Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, Alabama State Society of Southern Dames of America George Maris Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century or any other historical lineage society.
67th Annual State Conference
Prattville, AL
February 7-8, 2020
(Front L to R:) Mary Anne Kane-Garrett, Chapter President,
President General Nancy Smith Ackerman, Judith Arthur, AL State Society
(Back L to R:) Leslie Kirk, Elizabeth Gillian, Rita Ried, Colleen Sanders
President General Nancy Smith Ackerman, Judith Arthur, AL State Society
(Back L to R:) Leslie Kirk, Elizabeth Gillian, Rita Ried, Colleen Sanders
Chapter Meeting
15 Jan 2020
Speaker: Judith Arthur, AL Society President
Chapter Meeting
18 Sept 2019
Speaker: Raven Christopher
Board of Management Meeting
Prattville, AL
06 August 2019
(L to R front row): Mary Anne Kane-Garrett, Chapter President, Judith Arthur, AL State Society President, Marlene Lawley, (middle) Mary Jane Tingle, Rita Reed, Elizabeth Gillian, (top) Lucy Willis, Leslie Kirk, Connie Grund
2019-2021 Chapter Officers
Birmingham, AL
Officers (L to R): President, Mary Anne Kane-Garrett: First Vice President, Pam Spivey;
Second Vice President, Elizabeth Gillian; Chaplain, Mary Woodard; Recording Secretary,
Rita Reid; Corresponding Secretary, Colleen Sanders; Treasurer, Meg Hyde;
Registrar, Mary Jane Tingle; Historian, Halcyann Badham;
Librarian, Catherine Hall Kirpalani; Parliamentarian, Marlene Lawley
Second Vice President, Elizabeth Gillian; Chaplain, Mary Woodard; Recording Secretary,
Rita Reid; Corresponding Secretary, Colleen Sanders; Treasurer, Meg Hyde;
Registrar, Mary Jane Tingle; Historian, Halcyann Badham;
Librarian, Catherine Hall Kirpalani; Parliamentarian, Marlene Lawley
2017-2019 Chapter Officers
Birmingham, AL
Officers (L to R): Marlene Lawley, Grace Key, Nancy Jones, Mary Woodard, Sandy Carter,
Mary Anne Kane-Garrett, Judith Arthur, Catherine Hall Kirpalani and Mary Jane Tingle
Mary Anne Kane-Garrett, Judith Arthur, Catherine Hall Kirpalani and Mary Jane Tingle
Donations to the Alabama State Veterans Home
November, 2016
Sandy Carter (right) donations to the Alabama State Veterans Home from Colonial Dames 17th Century George Maris Chapter. We love our Veterans!
Chapter Officers
Birmingham, AL
20 May 2015
Officers (L to R): Halcyann Badham, Leslie Kirk, Mary Anne Kane-Garrett, Judith Arthur,
Joan Hull, Sandy Carter, Nancy Jones, Marlene Lawley, Rosemary Jager, Constance Grund
Joan Hull, Sandy Carter, Nancy Jones, Marlene Lawley, Rosemary Jager, Constance Grund
Chapter Officers
Birmingham, AL
15 May 2013
Installation of Officers (L to R): Leslie Kirk, Frances Logan, Judith Arthur, Barbara Traylor,
Annette Smith, Marlene Lawley, Donna Morris, Phoebe Robinson
Annette Smith, Marlene Lawley, Donna Morris, Phoebe Robinson
Historic Marker Ceremony
Bethlehem Methodist Church
Hueytown, AL
Program to include: Ceremony, Cemetery Walk and Reception
9 Dec 2012
History of Bethlehem Methodist Church
Bethlehem United Methodist Church, not far from Fairfield, is one of the oldest churches in Jefferson County, dating back to the work of Ebenezer Hearn in 1818. The land for the Church and Cemetery was donated to the Church Officials by James Rutledge in 1818. The original Church was built under the direction of Rev. James Tarrant, who was born in the Colony of Virginia, and who was a Captain in the service of the United Colonies in the War for Independence, who lived a while in South Carolina, and who possessed deep piety and fixed religious principles. Rev. Tarrant settled on a Creek in Alabama, about eight miles from the old town of Jonesboro.
Rev. James Tarrant, Mrs. Margaret Sadler Prude (wife of John Prude), and Nancy Sadler (Mrs. William Rose Sadler) organized the church. Rev. J. Tarrant was a saintly man and promised the ladies he would preach until a Circuit pastor could be found. (Information from Sadler and Tarrant records). Rev. James Tarrant died in the 1830s, at his home and was buried on his own premises, a few hundred yards from Bethlehem Church, and Adam, the Negro slave died in the 1880s. It was reported by Mrs. Josie Rutledge Ray that Adam was buried near the Rev. James Tarrant’s home.
William Sadler and his wife Nancy Sadler lived near Bethlehem and held their membership there. It is said that Mrs. Martha Rutledge, a member of Bethlehem was the first person to be buried at Bethlehem.
Rev. Tarrant brought with him to his new home in Alabama a young Negro slave whose name was Adam. He was noted for his religious excellence, and was an experienced builder. With the help of slaves of other settlers, the logs were soon cut, hand hewn, and hauled to the building site. A great “log rolling” took place, and the Church completed. From the first, Bethlehem was one of the centers of Methodism, and there Camp-meetings were held, and the Methodist host of the surrounding country assembled. Grand times were witnessed at that place.
The original Church was a one room log building and in the early 1890s the logs were removed to the floor and a frame building erected, using the old log sills and six inch board flooring for the floor. They are still in use (1973), well preserved, and are in the same location as they were in 1818.
In 1954 the Church was raised eight feet due to the building of a new 4 lane highway in front of it and the old log sills and six inch board flooring became a part of the ceiling in the dining hall.
In 1956 the downstairs area was dedicated to the memory of James Rutledge and named “James Rutledge Fellowship Hall.” Dr. J. D. Hunter, a former Pastor, was in charge of the Dedication Service with several descendants of James Rutledge present. From the beginning there has always been at least one member of the Church that was a descendant of his.
The Church has grown from a one room log building to one containing two large auditoriums, a large kitchen, fully equipped, and 13 class rooms all air-conditioned, and all are equipped with gas heating systems.
Bethlehem United Methodist Church, not far from Fairfield, is one of the oldest churches in Jefferson County, dating back to the work of Ebenezer Hearn in 1818. The land for the Church and Cemetery was donated to the Church Officials by James Rutledge in 1818. The original Church was built under the direction of Rev. James Tarrant, who was born in the Colony of Virginia, and who was a Captain in the service of the United Colonies in the War for Independence, who lived a while in South Carolina, and who possessed deep piety and fixed religious principles. Rev. Tarrant settled on a Creek in Alabama, about eight miles from the old town of Jonesboro.
Rev. James Tarrant, Mrs. Margaret Sadler Prude (wife of John Prude), and Nancy Sadler (Mrs. William Rose Sadler) organized the church. Rev. J. Tarrant was a saintly man and promised the ladies he would preach until a Circuit pastor could be found. (Information from Sadler and Tarrant records). Rev. James Tarrant died in the 1830s, at his home and was buried on his own premises, a few hundred yards from Bethlehem Church, and Adam, the Negro slave died in the 1880s. It was reported by Mrs. Josie Rutledge Ray that Adam was buried near the Rev. James Tarrant’s home.
William Sadler and his wife Nancy Sadler lived near Bethlehem and held their membership there. It is said that Mrs. Martha Rutledge, a member of Bethlehem was the first person to be buried at Bethlehem.
Rev. Tarrant brought with him to his new home in Alabama a young Negro slave whose name was Adam. He was noted for his religious excellence, and was an experienced builder. With the help of slaves of other settlers, the logs were soon cut, hand hewn, and hauled to the building site. A great “log rolling” took place, and the Church completed. From the first, Bethlehem was one of the centers of Methodism, and there Camp-meetings were held, and the Methodist host of the surrounding country assembled. Grand times were witnessed at that place.
The original Church was a one room log building and in the early 1890s the logs were removed to the floor and a frame building erected, using the old log sills and six inch board flooring for the floor. They are still in use (1973), well preserved, and are in the same location as they were in 1818.
In 1954 the Church was raised eight feet due to the building of a new 4 lane highway in front of it and the old log sills and six inch board flooring became a part of the ceiling in the dining hall.
In 1956 the downstairs area was dedicated to the memory of James Rutledge and named “James Rutledge Fellowship Hall.” Dr. J. D. Hunter, a former Pastor, was in charge of the Dedication Service with several descendants of James Rutledge present. From the beginning there has always been at least one member of the Church that was a descendant of his.
The Church has grown from a one room log building to one containing two large auditoriums, a large kitchen, fully equipped, and 13 class rooms all air-conditioned, and all are equipped with gas heating systems.
George Maris Chapter
Birmingham Country Club
19 Sept 2012
Leslie Kirk new member with Chapter President Linda Shabo
George Maris Chapter
Birmingham Country Club
18 May 18 2011
Installation Chapter Officers May 18, 2011 by State President Twyla Brammel (Left to Right): Frances Logan, Lucy Willis, Barbara Traylor, Carole Thomas, Linda Shabo, Twyla Brammell, Judith Arthur, Joan Hull, Jo Ellen Flournoy, Grace Key
Colonial Dames Scholarship Winner Avery Arthur Pictured with Chapter President Judith Arthur.
Photo taken at the May 18, 2011 Meeting of the George Maris Chapter at the Birmingham Country Club. Shown on the left Joan Hull Chapter Treasurer and on the right our Alabama State President Twyla Brammell
Photo taken at the May 18, 2011 Meeting of the George Maris Chapter at the Birmingham Country Club. Shown on the left Joan Hull Chapter Treasurer and on the right our Alabama State President Twyla Brammell
CONTACT THE ALABAMA SOCIETY
COLONIAL DAMES XVII CENTURY
For information about joining our organization, please visit THE CHAPTER LINK on
the left side of this web page and find an Alabama chapter near you
or visit our National Website. www.colonialdames17c.org
Contact us today!
the left side of this web page and find an Alabama chapter near you
or visit our National Website. www.colonialdames17c.org
Contact us today!
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the state societies, or individual CDXVIIC chapters
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the state societies, or individual CDXVIIC chapters
For technical issues with this website, please contact the webmaster at: [email protected]