Mary Dawkins Honored
Worthy Matron Mary E. Dawkins of the Daughters of Esther #128, Order of the Eastern Star, PHA Venus Lodge #62, was honored with a reception on Saturday, April 13 at Stephens Lee Center in Asheville. Mayor Terry Bellamy proclaimed April 13, 2013 as “Mary E. Dawkins Day” and presented her with a proclamation
from the City of Asheville.
As guests shared their caring thoughts, Eastern Star member Vanessa Pinnex stated, “Worthy Matron Dawkins has been a role model for not only our organization, but also for the youth and young adults in our greater Asheville community. The doors to her home are always open to anyone that needed a helping hand. I’m pleased to see that she is being honored in this very special way.”
Mary joined Daughters of Esther #128 Order of Eastern Star in 1991 and was elected to serve in the capacity of Worthy Matron in 2008. “Through her dedication,” said Worthy Patron Marvin Chambers, “Mary is being honored because of her tenacious nature and how she has held this Eastern Star chapter together. She has always exhibited the kind of leadership that is required to lead an organization such as this.”
During the reception Ms. Dawkins was serenaded by the Miller-Reynolds Chorale, and surrounded by many friends and family – some of whom traveled a great distance to honor her on this special day.
Worthy Matron Mary E. Dawkins is the mother of nine children, and sister to educator and local Goombay Festival originator Gloria Howard-Free. Mary is also a retired employee of Buncombe County, where she was employed as Deputy Clerk of Court.
