Heroine Cheryl Cokley-Benn #3
Most Ancient Grand Matron
HEROINES OF JERICHO
STATE OF OHIO
AND IT'S JURISDICTION
Most Worthy Grand Joshua
Knight Michael Bess #2
mibess220@gmail.com
P.O. Box 20217
Cleveland Ohio 44120
(216) 509-6800
Most Ancient Grand Matron
Heroine Cheryl Cokley-Benn #3
46magm@gmail.com
3050 Valerie Arms Dr #301
Dayton Ohio 45405
(937) 478-5540
Vice Ancient Grand Matron
Heroine W. Ruth Dean
1424 SOM Center Road
Mayfield Heights Ohio 44124
(216) 299-6293
Deputy Worthy Vice Joshua
Knight Nathaniel Benn #3
3050 Valerie Arms Dr. #301
Dayton Ohio 45405
937-478-3944
Worthy Grand Treasurer
Heroine Arthurine Shepard #3
Email Address
4873 Northgate Court
Dayton Ohio 45416
(937) 278-0138
Worthy Grand Secretary
Heroine Wilhemia P. Tucker #2
3603 Harvey Road
Cleveland Heights Ohio 44118
(216)932-5625
Worthy Grand Senior Attendant
M. Francine Washington #3
6485 Greenbrook Drive
Trotwood, Ohio 45428
H (937) 837-0064
C (937) 248-3041
Worthy Grand Junior Attendant
Heroine Celestine E. Travis #2
18316 Mapleboro Avenue
Maple Heights Ohio 44137
(440) 622-6122
Worthy Grand Chaplain
Knight Charles V. Williams III #3
3719 Judy Lane
Dayton Ohio 45405
(937)277-5597
Worthy Grand Lecturer
Heroine Geneva Ellis #2
2014 Washington View
Richmond Heights Ohio 44143
(440) 715-3711
First Grand Court Director
Knight Richard Johnson, Sr. #2
11409 Darlington Avenue
Garfield Heights Ohio 44125
(216) 570-9041
Second Grand Court Director
Knight V. J. Thomas #3
Email Address
6279 Elderberry Court
Hamilton Ohio 45011
(513)479-3348
Third Grand Court Director
Knight Gregory Allen #1
2825 Lawndale Avenue
Cincinnati Ohio 45212
gallen785@gmail.com
(513) 545-5073
Past Most Ancient Grand Matron
Grand Advisors
Heroine Janet Bostic #2
Heroine Jeannie Elam #1
Heroine Barbara King #3
Grand Deputy Lecturer
Heroine Michelle Reece #1
Grand Deputy Lecturer
Heroine Cosandra Wheeler #2
Grand S.E. Ark Bearer
Heroine Jeanette Langford #4
Grand S.W. Ark Bearer
Heroine Yvette Lewis #3
Grand N.E. Ark Bearer
Heroine Ruth Bailey #4
Grand N.W. Ark Bearer
Heroine Anne Trammel #3
Grand Inner Gatekeeper
Heroine Yvonne Duhart #1
Grand Outer Gatekeeper
Heroine Melinda Chappell #1
Grand C.C.F.C.
Heroine Geraldine Durroh #4
Grand Attorney
Chester Christie #4
Grand Photographer South
Knight V. J. Thomas #3
Grand Photographer North
Heroine Debra Miller #2
Grand Historian
Barbara King #3
Grand Reporter (North)
Knight Richard Johnson #2
Grand Reporter (South)
Heroine M. Francine Washington #3
Grand Nurse
Heroine Michelle Turner-Reese #1
Grand Nurse
Heroine A. Michelle Merritt #5
Grand Assistant Secretary
Heroine Tanya Elam-Lee #1
Grand Assistant Secretary
Heroine Lucille Sherrill #2
2021- 2022 HOJ GRAND COMMITTEES (pdf)
Download Prince White Court #1 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Most Ancient Matron, Heroine Linda Williams
Most Worthy Joshua, Knight Raymond Jeter
Cuyahoga Court #2 (Cleveland, Ohio)
Most Ancient Matron, Heroine Renee Simmons
Most Worthy Joshua, Knight Darrell Patterson
Burning Bush Court #3 (Dayton, Ohio)
Most Ancient Matron, Heroine Beverly Draper
Most Worthy Joshua, Knight William Benyard
Rollin F. Kelley Sr. Court #4 (Columbus, Ohio)
Most Ancient Matron, Heroine Vivian Hawkins
Most Worthy Joshua, Knight Rodney Q. Blount
El Zerubbabel Court #5 (Akron, Ohio)
Most Ancient Matron, Heroine Michelle Merritt
Most Worthy Joshua, Knight Harvey Walker
Ruth Court #6 (Toledo, Ohio)
Most Ancient Matron, Heroine Janece Wooley
Most Worthy Joshua, Knight Clarence Jones
Floyd C. Churchwell Court #8 (Sandusky, Ohio)
Most Ancient Matron, Heroine Idajeanne R. Brown
Most Worthy Joshua, Knight Ted Brown
Masonic history informs us that the Order of Heroines of Jericho is believed to be as old as ancient craft Masonry. Historically there is evidence in Ohio in the early part of the 20th century. In the proceedings of 1908 there were six Courts listed, as being inexistence, in Ohio namely Vashti Court No. 1 in Cincinnati, Heroine Court No. 2 in Nelsonville, Ruth Court No. 5 in Toledo, Sarah Court No. 6 in Cambridge, Esther Court #9 in Zanesville, and Valley Court No. 23 in Rendville. The Grand Court consisted of Courts in Pennsylvania and Ohio. There more modern era of Heroines of Jericho in Ohio began in 1971.
At the 103rd Grand Convocation of the Most Excellent Prince Hall Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, Most Excellent Grand High Priest Paul L. Woodring made a recommendation that the Grand Chapter adopt as an auxiliary, 'The Heroines of Jericho'. This matter was brought to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio and Grand Master Samuel Brogdon Jr. granted permission for the Order of Heroines of Jericho to be organized. In October 1971, Most Excellent Grand High Priest Michael R. Wilson appointed Past Grand High Priest Wooding, Grand Coordinator for the Heroines of Jericho. Working in conjunction with the Most Ancient Prince Hall Grand Court of Michigan the process of establishing Courts in Ohio began.
The first club organized was Prince White in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 1212, 1971. This court was inaugurated on January 14th1973 as Prince White Court No. 8 operating under the jurisdiction of Michigan, with Heroine Soprhonia Ellis as Most Ancient Matron and Knight Nathaniel Reip as Most Worthy Joshua.
Cuyahoga club was organized in Cleveland, Ohio on February 27th, 1972. This court was inaugurated on February 18th, 1973 as Cuyahoga Court No. 9, which also operated under the jurisdiction of Michigan with Heroine Donester Barksdale serving as Most Ancient Matron and Knight Donald Alexander as Most Worthy Joshua.
On April 10th, 1972 a club was formed in Dayton, Ohio with Elizabeth Russell serving as President and Harold Moon 1st Vice President. On October 1st they were granted a dispensation to operate as Burning Bush UD under the jurisdiction of Michigan.
July 9th, 1972 a club, named "Club 77: was organized in Akron, Ohio, and on April 1st, 1973 this club became El Zerubabble Court UD, also operating under the jurisdiction of Michigan.
On the 24th day of February 1974, the Most Ancient Prince Hall Grand Court of Michigan journeyed to the Fort Hayes Hotel in Columbus, Ohio, were Burning Bush No. 10 (Heroine Elizabeth Russell, Most Ancient Matron and Knight Harold Moon, Most Worthy Joshua), Rollin F. Kelley Court No. 11 (Heroine Alice V. Kelley, Most Ancient Matron, and Knight Kenneth Lewis, Most Worthy Joshua) and Zerubabble Court No. 12 (Heroines Florean McGadney, Most Ancient Matron and Knight Leonard Robertson Sr., Most Worthy Joshua) were constituted. Heroine Birdie Stallworth, Most Ancient Grand Matron and Knight Leon Gay, Most Worthy Grand Joshua were presiding.
On March 24th, 1974 Ruth Club was organized in Toledo, Ohio and on July 13th, 1975 the Court was constituted as Ruth Court No. 13 with Gladys Mitchell presiding as Most Ancient Matron and Knight William Long as Most Worthy Joshua. They also began their work under the jurisdiction of Michigan.
The first meeting to discuss the formation of a Grand Court in the state of Ohio was held on September 14th, 1974. On Sunday, September 21st the Grand Court of Michigan, under the leadership of Elizabeth Morse, Most Ancient Grand Matron and Charles Whitfield, Most Worthy Grand Joshua journeyed to Toledo, Ohio to Constitute and Inaugurate the Most Ancient Prince Hall Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho in and for the state of Ohio.
At this time MW Brother Robert L. Alston was presiding as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio, Companion Jesse L. Russell was presiding as Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the ME Grand Chapter of Ohio Royal Arch Masons, Sister Alice V. Kelley was serving as Grand Worthy Matron of the Amaranth Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star - State of Ohio.
The Charter Courts of the Most Ancient Prince Hall Grand Court of Ohio were designated:
Prince White Court #1
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cuyahoga Court #2
Cleveland, Ohio
Burning Bush Court #3
Dayton, Ohio
Rollin F. Kelley Sr. Court #4
Columbus, Ohio
El Zerubbabel Court #5
Akron, Ohio
Ruth Court #6
Toledo, Ohio
The following officers were installed:
Most Ancient Grand Matron
Donester G. Barksdale
Most Worthy Grand Joshua
Kenneth E. Lewis
Vice Ancient Grand Matron
Martha Thompson
Deputy Grand Joshua
Leonard Robertson Sr.
Grand Treasurer
Eugene Morton
Grand Secretary
Jacqueline Young
Grand Senior Attendant
Elizabeth Russell
Grand Junior Attendant
Alice V. Kelley
Grand Chaplain
Donald Alexander
1st Grand Court Director
William Long (special election 9/20/1975)
2nd Grand Court Director
Major Hamilton
3rd Grand Court Director
Edward Towell Jr.
APPOINTED:
Northeast Ark Bearer
Gladys Mitchell
Northwest Ark Bearer
Cora L. Lounds
Southeast Ark Bearer
Southwest Ark Bearer
Mable Chandler
Inner Gate Keeper
Creaggan Hearld
Outer Gate Keeper
Daisy Lewis
Grand Lecturer, Northern
Jacqueline Young
Grand Lecturer, Southern
Daisy L. Lewis
Grand Organist
Eugenia Wilson
Assistant Grand Organist
Sue Day
Assistant Grand Secretary
Beatrice Peterson
On March 13th a club was formed in Youngstown, Ohio, Excelsior Court UD was established on May 2nd, 1976 (this was the first court established by the Grand Court of Ohio, Donester Barksdale, Most Ancient Grand Matron and Kenneth Lewis, Most Worthy Grand Joshua). September 27th, 1977 Excelsior Court No. 7 at Youngstown, Ohio was constituted and inauguarted. Jane Shipp was installed as Most Ancient Matron and Prostelle Thomas as Most Worthy Joshua. Most Ancient Grand Matron Elizabeth Russell and Most Worthy Grand Joshua Donald Alexander were presiding.
Floyd C. Churchwell Court No. 8, was the last court to be constituted. They were duly constituted on December 3rd, 1988 with Heroine Francine Newell being installed as Most Ancient Matron and Knight Lawson Wood as Most Worthy Joshua. Most Ancient Grand Matron was Heroine Fern C. Ragland and Most Worthy Grand Joshua was Knight Nathaniel Olden.
Past Grand Officers of the Most Ancient Prince Hall Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho are as follows:
DATE
MAGM
MWGJ
Grand Secretary
1975
Donester Barksdale, #2
Kenneth E. Lewis, #4
Jacqueline Young, #2
1976
Donester Barksdale, #2
Kenneth E. Lewis, #4
1976-77
Martha Thompson #1
Leonard Robertson Sr., #5
1977-78
Elizabeth Russell, #3
Donald Alexander, #2
Donester Barksdale, #2
1978-80
Alice V. Kelley, #4
Major Hamilton, #1
Donester Barksdale
1980-81
Florean McGadney, #5
Foster Stringer, #2
Donester Barksdale
1981-82
Jacqueline Young, #2
Edward Towell Jr., #3
Donester Barksdale
1982-83
Daisy L. Lewis, #4
Theodore Jackson, #2
Donester Barksdale
1983-84
Oakley Hopkins #6
Donester Barksdale
1984-85
Karen Boyd, #6
John McGadney, #5
Donester Barksdale
1985-86
Catherine Bray, #1
William Horton, #3
Donester Barksdale
1986-87
Myllicent Russel, #7
Curtis C. Carter, #4
Donester Barksdale
1987-88
Charles Mitchell, #6
Helen Cotton, #6
1988-89
Fern Ragland, #3
Nathaniel Olden, #2
Helen Cotton
1989-90
Minnie Jackson, #1
Frederick Kelley, #4
Helen Cotton
1990-91
Ruth Travis
Frank Gindraw, #5
Helen Cotton
1991-93
Booker T. Webster, #3
Helen Cotton
1993-95
Stewart Smith, #1
Helen Cotton
1995-97
Embie R. Bostic, #2
Helen Cotton
1997-98
Betty Butler, #3
John A. James, #4
Helen Cotton
1998-99
Francine Newell, #8
George King, #3
Helen Cotton
1999-00
Hazel Webster, #3
Charles Eaves #5
Helen Cotton
2000-2001
Emerson Ballard, #6
Helen Cotton
2001-2002
Geraldine Durroh, #4
Joseph Toliver, #3
Helen Cotton
For outstanding contributions to the order and their efforts in laying the ground work for the establishment of the Grand Court of Ohio the degree of Honorary Past Most Ancient Grand Matron and Honorary Past Most Worthy Grand Joshua was bestowed upon the following members:
Past Most Ancient Grand Matrons:
Past Most Ancient Worthy Grand Joshuas:
Bernice Neal, #3
Paul Woodring Sr., #2
Amanda Transue, #3
Michael R. Wilson, #3
Gladys Mitchell #6
Jesse L. Russell, #3
Lillian Robinson, #1
Robert B. Oglesby, #2
Eugene Moron, #4
The Grand Court of Ohio has been privileged to have two of its officers ascend to the highest office in the General Grand Conference of Heroines of Jericho. Knight Foster Stringer served as General Grand Conference Most Worthy Grand Joshua (1991-93) and Heroine Arlene Bolden (2001-2002) serving as General Grand Conference Most Ancient Grand Matron.
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