Page 61 - LEAH 27 SHINE 2020: First Edition Issue One.pdf

These things we ask of you, in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

My sisters and brothers, we have come thus far by faith. Faith has brought me this far to become the

52nd Grand Worthy Patron of Deborah Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star Inc., Prince Hall

Adopted, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Thank you for the trust you have reposed in me. Moreover, I can only do this with the help of my Lord

and my Savior Jesus Christ. Some six years ago you elected me to this Grand Line and today I

humbly accept the position of Grand Worthy Patron. Thank you so very much.

I would like to thank the Most Worshipful Grand Master Melvin A. Alston, Sr., and his lovely wife,

DeLois Alston for their encouraging words. Grand Lodge Officers, I look forward to working with you

as the Master Mason who is the liaison between The Grand Master and Deborah Grand Chapter.

To Past Grand Worthy Matron Alpha J. Jordan and Past Grand Worthy Patron James C. Harris on

behalf of the

members of Deborah Grand Chapter I commend you for a job well done. Every member should take

pride in the selflessness and courage you had in keeping us together during these unprecedented

times. Thank you so much for everything. You both have lived up to the theme you had for your

administration which was: "Grateful Individuals Volunteering Everyday."

To the Grand Lodge officers, elected and appointed, I thank you for the kind words and support. To

the Past Grand Worthy Matrons and Past Grand Worthy Patrons Council, you have exemplified the

great principles that our organization stands for. A special thanks to Past Grand Worthy Patron James

Q. Gray who gave me an opportunity to become one of his District Lectures. This was done because

of the recommendations of PWM Sister Annie Gray, with whom I will always be grateful. Past Grand

Worthy Patron Thomas K. Vaughn thank you sir, for your unwavering support.

To Princess Adah Chapter No. 95. Thank you for the help you have given me along the way. To the

late PGWP Robert Smith and PGWP Lawrence Valentine who have preceded me in this position, I say

Thanks for giving me a role model and someone to emulate. I am honored to be among the elite

members of this ancient and honorable institution.

To my lovely wife PWM Marian R. Summers. I am a Lucky man. She is an amazing woman, especially

for putting up with me for 22 years. She is a queen of my heart, my household, and my life. Love you

Babe.

To my children Jamar, Juan Jr. James, Darryl, Jenea, and Brandon you are a shining beacon in my

life, along with my grandchildren who often greet me with a big hug that warms my heart. I know,

because of my OES obligations, I have often missed birthday parties and other special occasions.

Thank you for your forgiveness and understanding but most of all, I thank you for being there when I

needed you the most. To my mother, Sister Mary H. Ellis, who God continues to bless and who has

been my angel since birth, I love you and thank you. She has served this great Order as Mother

Advisor to the Ruth Mitchell Tucker Girl’s Youth Department for many years. To my stepfather Herbert

C. Ellis, who has also served as the Grandfather Advisor for the Ruth Mitchell Tucker Girl’s Youth

Department. I love you too and thank you for your support.