Naomi Chapter, No. 9

A petition by Sisters Henerita Jackson, Fannie Freeman, Mary Walker, Fannie Walker, Mary Baker, Martha Holden, Louise Freeman, Elizabeth Lockhart, Helena Robinson and Mary Belle Mayers; Brothers Frank Jackson, Edjar Holden, Allen Washington, Andrew Jackson, and George Walker presented to the Grand Chapter of New England to form an Eastern Star Chapter in Meriden, Connecticut.

Naomi Chapter was instituted under the Grand Chapter, September 26, 1913 in Meriden, CT by Sister Eva Gray, Grand Worthy Matron and Brother Thomas B. Barnett, Grand Worthy Patron. Brother John Turner, Associate Grand Patron and Sister Sarah Spencer, Grand Secretary. Sister Turner and Members of Eureka Chapter No. 2 New Haven were present. The first meeting was held in the Spanish War Veteran’s Hall, Colony Street in Meriden, CT. First Worthy Matron was Sister Mary Walker and first Worthy Patron was Brother James Jackson. Sister Helena Robinson was Associate Matron. The Chapter was known as Naomi Chapter No. 10 until 1918, when it was changed to Naomi Chapter No. 9.

Naomi Chapter has always met wherever Ionic Lodge No. 7 held its meetings, therefore, when Ionic moved to Plainville, Connecticut in 1930, so did Naomi Chapter. Since 1930 meetings were held in several locations in Plainville and also in New Britain until 1978 when the Chapter moved to 198 Gold Street where we stayed until we moved to our present location at 10 Mason Drive in New Britain.

In 1961, Ionic Lodge No. 7 and Naomi Chapter No. 9 under the leadership of Sister Bessie Mays, Worthy Matron and Brother James Kelly, Worshipful Master began a Scholarship Program under the name of Ionomi. Brother McKinley Williams was the first Chairman, he served until his demise in 1968.

In 1977, under the leadership of Sister Thelma Blue, Worthy Matron and Brother Richard Edwards Worshipful Master, reformed the Scholarship Program. Sister Bessie Stewart, Chairperson. Later the name was changed to “The McKinley Williams Scholarship” honoring Brother Williams.

In 1984, Brother Louis Blue was installed by the Grand Chapter, Naomi Chapter’s first Grand Worthy Patron of Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, State of Connecticut, Inc.

In 1992, Sister Bessie E. Mays was installed by the Grand Chapter, Naomi Chapter’s first Grand Worthy Matron.

1982-1983 BESSIE STEWART CHARLES STEWART*

1984   CARLATER SHANNON* CHARLES STEWART*

1985 MATTIE GRAY HERMAN CARTER*

1986 PEARL MIFFLIN LOUIS JOHNSON*

1987-1988 ADDIE BROWN CHARLES STEWART*

1989-1990 LOUISE MAYERS* CHARLES STEWART*

1991 LAURA BELLAMY* CLIFTON RAINEY

1992 JOAN PRIESTER JOSEPH OUTLAW

1993-1994 LINDA FERGUSON CLIFFORD FERGUSON

1995-1996 DOROTHY JOHNSON CURTIS WILLIAMS

1996-1997 SONJA MATCHEN RONALD F. BROWN SR.*

1998 PATRICIA PARKS-YOUNG* RONALD F. BROWN SR.*

1999 IRENE SINGLETON RONALD F. BROWN SR.*

2000-2001 RHUDEAN S. RAYE RONALD F. BROWN SR.*

2002-2003 DELORIS L. MABRY* CURTIS WILLIAMS

2004-2005 CATHERINE KELLY RAYMOND SMITH

2005-2006 MONIKA JONES RAYMOND SMITH

2007 MERGED WITH MIRIAM CHAPTER #26

2011-2012 RUTH BROOKS HARDICE JONES

2013 DELORIS MABRY* HARDICE JONES

2014 SHEILA R. CURRY* ROBERT L. KEE

2015 STEPANIE PARKER         ROBERT KEE

2016 STEPANIE PARKER         STEVE GODFREY

2017 (JANUARY) DAWN OWENS         STEVE GODFREY

2017 (ACTING) LATANYA L. BAILEY      STEVE GODFREY

2018-2019 LATANYA L. BAILEY          BERNARD J. BAILEY

2020 CARRIE JACKSON HARDICE JONES

WE ARE NEVER TOO HIGH ON THE LADDER OF SUCCESS TO REACH BACK AND HELP OTHERS. LET US MAKE A MIGHTY EFFORT AND ARISE.

* Deceased