As the Texas Division UDC President Gina Clark Smith says, “Southern Sisters Standing Shoulder to Shoulder, United, Determined, Committed”…. and certainly that is the case for the amazing ladies of the Rebel Joan Of Arc 2721 Chapter, of the United Daughters of the Confederacy! The Motto of Past Texas Division President Louann Rubel was “Celebrate the Spirit of the Southern Family”, which again couldn’t be more true for the Rebel Belles!
RJOA President JENNY LEHR lead her Chapter Sisters in Period Dress for this special occasion to the “Confederate Memorial Plaza” Statue and Confederate Brick walkway where members of the Rebel Joan Of Arc have purchased Bricks with their Confederate Ancestors Soldier Names. RJOA LAURA McCRACKEN honored her Ancestor: Adolph Jumonville – Louisiana Infantry. RJOA Honorary Associate Member RON McCRACKEN, who is also a Life Member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, honored his Confederate Ancestor: Jesse Sullivan of the Mississippi Infantry.
RJOA ANITA STEVENS honored her Confederate Ancestor: PVT Martin Davenport Williams, Co. E, 7th TX Calvary – Descendant: Anita L. Thorne.
When I interviewed RJOA ANITA THORNE STEVENS she commented that when she found out about the opportunity to memorialize her ancestor at the Confederate Park in Anderson, she thought it would be a unique way to honor him and support the park with a donation. ANITA said this was her first visit to the Park since the Memorial Brick was laid. ANITA continued to say, “It was a special moment as I stood there, gazing at the engraved brick, as the bagpiper played “Amazing Grace”, and I wondered, “How would my Great-Great-GrandFather feel to be honored this way?”
ANITA THORNE STEVENS said: “I chose to make my donation under my maiden name “Thorne” to honor the Thorne/Williams marriage, the generation path to my Confederate Ancestor” for the United Daughters of the Confederacy.”
Should one want to honor their “honorable proved Confederate Ancestor” at the Confederate Memorial Plaza in Anderson, Texas, there is a “Brick Order Form” that can be acquired and filled out with accompanying check donation. The Park is maintained and supported by donations and tax deductible. The Bricks are $100. Donations and restricted to Confederate Veterans or Confederate Civil Servants, and fit on three lines. For information and Order Form, contact SCV Grimes County Grays Commander Jody Ballard at jballard927@gmail.com.
When all the RJOA Ladies, and RJOA Honorary Associate Member Gentleman:
DOUG COLLINGS, also a Son of the Confederate Veterans, gathered around the beautiful statue of the strong Confederate Soldier, it was done in great pride and respect. The Statue represents the Confederate Soldier of Company G, of the 4th Texas Volunteer Infantry. The Rebel Belles are all featured in their Period Dress from Town Dresses, Tea Dresses, Home Dresses and Work attire. ELAINE COLLINGS is also proudly wearing for education and history her authentic 1851 Navy Colt, and personalized Rebel Joan Of Arc Knife, hand made by RON McCRACKEN, “The Texas Knife Guy”.
The Rebel Joan Of Arc have just started their Annual Fund Raiser or a Custom Carving Set with Custom Leather Sheath, handmade by RON McCRACKEN, of Montgomery, TX. The Damascus Steel Carving Set is made from 5160, 15N20, Ni200 folded for 416 layer Damascus. The handles are stabilized White Oak. The Custom Sheath is designed to hold both the Fork and Knife separately. The Drawing will be announced on April 12, 2026. The estimated value is $750. for this 501 3c Chapter Fund Raiser.
The donation is $10. each ticket or 6 Tickets for $50.
For Information to donate for ticket/s, Contact:
LAURA McCRACKEN: mccracken@consolidated.net, OR
ELAINE COLLINGS: ehcollings@gmail.com
Additionally for “APRIL IS CONFEDERATE HISTORY MONTH”, the Rebel Joan Of Arc members are supporting the SCV: Major General Patrick Cleburne’s 7th Texas Infantry Camp 2182, on April 26, at the Willis Cemetery, for Marking the Graves of the Texas Confederate Soldiers buried there. Much preparation has gone into their Ceremony Presentation by 1st Lieutenant Commander: Buddy Gurganus and his team!
~~HURRAH FOR THE RESPECTFUL REMEMBRANCE OF OUR HERITAGE, AND CONFEDERATE HISTORY MONTH~~!!!
Submitted by RJOA Chairman of Public Relations:
Elaine Collings, ehcollings@gmail.com
Photo by Jenny Lehr.
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