Royalettes Social Club Celebrates 45 Years of Sisterhood 1970-2016

By Sarah Williams

On a crisp day in September 1970 Pauline Worthy called Lillian Johnson with the idea of ladies getting together socially.

Together they chose ten young women to form a social club.

The Royalette Social Club. 1st row (left to right): Joan Mosley, Dolly Burwell, and Sophie Dixon. 2nd row: Justine Baird, Beverly Workman, Janie Harper, Kristie Smith, Frances Shumate, Viola Tinsley, and Rosalyn Valentine.
The Royalette Social Club. 1st row (left to right): Joan Mosley, Dolly Burwell, and Sophie Dixon. 2nd row: Justine Baird, Beverly Workman, Janie Harper, Kristie Smith, Frances Shumate, Viola Tinsley, and Rosalyn Valentine.

Their first meeting was scheduled for Pauline’s (Worthy) home in Lee Walker Heights. Nine of the ten ladies gathered and entertained each other while eating potato chips and drinking Kool-Aid that Ms. Pauline had so graciously prepared.

During this social officers elected were: President Lillian Johnson, Vice President Pauline Worthy, Recorder Elizabeth Campbell, Assistant Recorder Janie Harper, Financial Secretary Juanita Moore, Treasurer Viola Tinsley, Social Chairman Elizabeth Hill, Business Manager Florence Valentine and Sick Chairman Ruby Wilkins. They chose to call themselves The Royalettes Social Club.

The clubs colors are pink and black, and their exclusive motto is: “I shall grow old but never lose life’s zest because the road’s last turn will be the best.”

Due to some unforeseen reason including death some of our members drifted away. Death crept in on seven of our charter members that went home to live with God. They were Janie Harper, Florence Valentine, Elizabeth Hill, Juanita Moore, Ruby Wilkins, Lillian Johnson and Pauline Worthy.

Over the years ladies stepped in to keep the sisterhood alive. They were Jessie Marshall, Joyce Ellis, Justine Baird, Annette Hutchinson, Kristie Smith, Lola Thomas, Sylvia Johnson, and Valarie Harper.

The current members are: Beverly Workman, President (14 years); Kristie Smith, Vice President (16+ years); Sophie Dixon, Recorder (33+ years); Dolly Burwell, Asst. Recorder (17+ years); Justine Baird, Business Manager (42+ years); Viola Tinsley, Treasurer (45 + years remaining founder); Frances Shumate, (9 years); Joan Mosley (2+ years); Rosalyn Valentine (1+ year); Janie Harper (1+ year); and, Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell Honorary Member.

We ask your prayers and encouragement as we continue to grow for the next forty years.