On the morning of November 21, 1992, Honorable Charles J. Clarke, "The President General", officiated the ceremonies organizing a right and regular incorporated Grand Lodge in and for the state of Arkansas. The Grand Lodge would be known as Most Worshipful Scottish Rite Grand Lodge of A.F. &A.M. for the state of Arkansas and its Grand Masonic Jurisdiction. The incorporate officers nominated for the Grand Lodge were

 

• President-Bro. Willie Sheppard Jr.

• Vice President-Bro. Harmon Ealy

• 2nd Vice President-Bro. Charles LaBron

• Secretary-Bro. Dennis Cole

• Treasurer-Bro. Carl Lewis

 

The first elected officers of the Grand Lodge were M.W. Grand Master, Bro. Willie Sheppard, Jr., 33°, M.W. Deputy Grand Master, Bro. Harmon Ealy, 32°, M.W. Grand Sr. Warden, Bro. Charles LaBron, 32°, M.W. Grand Jr. Warden, Bro. Ralph Calhoun, 32°, M.W. Grand Treasurer, Bro. Carl Lewis, 32°, MM.: Grand Secretary, Bro. Dennis Cole, 32°, R.W. Grand Sr. Deacon, Bro. Fred Simmons, 32°, and R.W. Grand Tiler, Bro. Robert Johnson, 32°.

 

 In observance of the above, the Grand Lodge of the state of Arkansas was inaugurated and constituted and all officers were duly installed. The resolution presented was ratified by representations of several Masonic Jurisdictions present of A.F. & A.M. namely:

 

• Hon. Charles J. Clarke, 33°, The President General, Illinois

• Hon. John H. Fitts, 33°,Grand Master,M.W. Cypress Grand Lodge, Florida

• Hon. E.E. Columbus, 33°,Grand Master, M.W. St. John Grand Lodge, Louisiana

• Hon. Hamilton R. Thornton, 33°,Grand Master,M.W.Hiram Grand Lodge, Virginia

• Hon. Kenneth Parker, 33°, P.G.M., M.W. Oriental Grand Lodge, New Jersey

• Hon. Carl R. Whittaker, 33°,Grand Master,UMW Scottish Rite Grand Lodge, Texas

• Hon. Eddie L. Lillard, Sr., 33°,Grand Master, M.W. Oriental Grand Lodge, New Jersey

• Hon. Africk A. Hillocks, 33°,Grand Master, M.W. King Solomon Grand Lodge, Washington, D.C.

 

 The afternoon of November 21, 1992, Hon. Charles Clarke, 33°, Supreme Grand Patron and Sis. Inez Miller, Supreme Grand Matron officiated the constitution, inauguration and installation of officers of Deborah Grand Chapter, O.E.S., of the state of Arkansas. The first elected officers of this Grand Chapter was:

 

• Grand Worthy Matron Sis. Doris Sheppard

• Grand Associate Matron Sis. Vanessa Moore

• Grand Treasurer Sis. Robin Y. Ealy

• Grand Secretary Sis. Bettye J. Tappin

• Grand Conductress Sis. Ceciele Green 

• Grand Associate Conductress Sis. Barbara Johnson

• Grand Warder-Sis. Crystal Hogan.

 

 The afternoon of November 21, 1992, Hon. Charles Clarke, 33°, Supreme Grand Patron and Sis. Inez Miller, Supreme Grand Matron officiated the constitution, inauguration and installation of officers of Deborah Grand Chapter, O.E.S., of the state of Arkansas. The first elected officers of this Grand Chapter was Grand Worthy Matron: Sis. Doris Sheppard, Grand Associate Matron: Sis. Vanessa Moore ,Grand Treasurer: Sis. Robin Y. Ealy, Grand Secretary: Sis. Bettye J. Tappin, Grand Conductress: Sis. Ceciele Green, Grand Associate Conductress Sis. Barbara Johnson, and Grand Warder: Sis. Crystal Hogan.

 

 Deborah Grand Chapter was legally adopted by the M.W. Scottish Rite Grand Lodge, A.F.& A.M. for the state of Arkansas and recognized as the regular and Genuine Grand Chapter, O.E.S. in and for the state of Arkansas. In observance of the above, the following representatives ratified the resolution presented:

 

• Supreme Grand Matron, Sis. Inez L. Miller

• Supreme Grand Patron, Hon. Charles I. Clarke, 33°

• Grand Worthy Patron, M.W. Hon. Willie Sheppard, Jr. 33°

• Sis. LuVema Eiland, P.G.M. Elizabeth G.C., Ohio

• Sis. Ruby K. Edgar, P.G.M. Oriental G.C., New Jersey

• Sis. Josephine Howard, G.M. Queen of Sheba G.C., Texas

• Sis. Mary A. Jackson, G.M. Heavenly Palm, G.C., Florida

• Sis. Carrie W. Charles, G.M. Queen of Sheba G.C., Illinois

• Sis. Geraldine Fry, G.M. Rose of Sharon G.C., Washington, D.C.