National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Marion Chapter FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS Organized December 7, 1910 Chartered February 1, 1911 Chapter History Marion Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was organized on December 9, 1910. It was named in honor of General Francis Marion, who was commissioned Brigadier General of the state troops of South Carolina. The earliest records of the chapter were lost; however, continuous records exist from September 25, 1915. One of the activities of the early group was the giving of historical programs such as "Reminiscences of Early Fayetteville." Another activity was the locating and marking of graves of Revolutionary patriots. Perhaps the most important achievement of the early chapter was the organization and support, in 1916, of a city library. The Marion Chapter continues to support the library, and many of its members are volunteers there. The chapter endeavors to promote and foster true patriotism and love of country by observing Memorial Day at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville and by supporting activities at the Veterans Hospital. Other activities include recognizing the outstanding R.O.T.C. cadets at the University of Arkansas, giving DAR Good Citizenship awards to outstanding local students in Fayetteville and surrounding towns, and presenting history awards to grade school students. Marion Chapter members pictured with the 2001-2004 NSDAR President General, Linda Tinker Watkins, at the Louisiana Purchase Marker dedication. Chapter Officers REGENT Olivia Olson VICE REGENT Debra McDonald SECOND VICE REGENT Jeanette Greenwood CHAPLAIN Bobbie Jones RECORDING SECRETARY Cheri Coley CORRESPONDING SECRETARY Caroline Smith REGISTRAR Barbara A. Lewis TREASURER Jeanne Tackett HISTORIAN Kathaleen Wills LIBRARIAN Janet Mott HONORARY REGENT LaNita McKinney PARLIAMENTARIAN Dr. Mary Cotton U.S. Flag Facts Honored Chapter Daughters Janelle Riddle State Chair - DAR Magazine Rebecca Hodges State Audit Committee Jeanine Presley VAVS Deputy Representative Fayetteville Veterans Hospital Mary Cotton (Mrs. Charles) State Bylaws Committee Sue Thompson (Mrs. Verl) Arkansas State Regent Membership Committee - National Vice Chairman Melisa Carper State Chair - Junior American Citizens Osage District Officers: Rebecca Hodges - Treasurer Cheri Coley - Recording Secretary 50 Year NSDAR Member Louise Matthews Honorary Chapter Regents LaNita McKinney Jeanne Tackett Melisa Carper Sue Thompson Mary Cotton Rose Haptonstall Julia Ann McKinney Jane Treat Louise Mathews Membership Eligibility Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than eighteen years of age and can prove lineal, blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. Documentation must be provided to prove direct descent from a patriot. Sources may include birth, baptismal, marriage, death records, etc. Admission to membership in the NSDAR is either through a chapter in your state organization (or unit overseas) or as a member-at-large. Chapter Meetings The Marion Chapter has a luncheon meeting the second Saturday of each month, from September through May, at 11:30 a.m. Marion Chapter Honors a Real Daughter Marion Chapter has recently honored a Real Daughter, a Daughter who had never been forgotten, but whose final resting place had gone unmarked for more than 100 years. Catherine Robards Stirman joined the DAR in 1895, and her father had joined the cause of our country’s freedom in 1777. Under a cloudy sky on April 18th, some 75 people listened as Marion Chapter Regent Jeanne Tackett welcomed us and described Mrs. Stirman’s history. Fayetteville’s mayor, Lioneld Jordan read a proclamation declaring April 18, 2009, to be Catherine Robards Stirman Day. This honor was followed by remarks from State Regent Mary Lee Schultz, who reminded us that there are only two Real Daughters now recognized in Arkansas, one of them being Mrs. Stirman. Reverend Ryan Pfeiffer, who serves in the First Christian Church of Fayetteville, which Mrs. Stirman and her husband helped found, then described some of its history, and Mrs. Stirman’s commitment to the church and to the cause of education. Afterwards, during photos, the state regent and chapter regent joined in placing a wreath on Mrs. Stirman’s engraved granite tablet. The chapter was assisted during the ceremony by members of Girl Scout Troop #5669 and Eagle Scout Michael Brian Sigulinsky. For information about the Marion Chapter   ARDAR and NSDAR buttons created by Dayna Trembley Hilton Website last updated May 8, 2012. For comments regarding this webpage, contact the Webmaster. Web hyperlinks to non-DAR sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.