Our Past Grand Matron, sister Joyce E. Black was honored at Ellbrook Chapter with an official Grand Visitation by the current Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, Bonnie Youngblood, on Thursday, February 2, 2006 Present at the meeting were 143 members including the Worthy Grand Matron, a General Grand Chapter Committee Member, 3 Past Grand Matrons, 2 past Grand Patrons, 5 Grand Officers, the Deputy Grand Matron of Distrct 3, 7 Grand Representatives,10 Worthy Matrons, 6 Worthy Patrons. 43 members of Ellbrook Chapter were there along with 100 total visitors. An 8th Grand Representative was commissioned at the meeting, Jeanne Lillo, Grand Representative to California, bringing the total Grand Representatives present to 8.
The following history of Joyce's 60 years in the O.E.S. was read by the Worthy Patron on a night that was called a "mountain top experience" by our Worthy Grand Matron, Sister Bonnie Youngblood.
Sister Joyce Black was initiated into Ellbrook Chapter on September 19, 1946, along with Constance May Alsmeyer, Elsie Alsmeyer, Florence King, and Nora Merrill. The Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron that term were Florence Holan and Fred Weber. There were 115 members and 18 visitors present. Receipts for that evening included $3.00 for dues and $15.00 for a petition. Sunshine that evening amounted to $8.77.
Sister Joyce served as Hostess in 1952 for Elizabeth Merrick and Gavin Swink. In 1955 Joyce served as Secretary for Helen and John Wiley and also in 1956 for Ida Wick and John Merriner. In 1957 Joyce began her journey through the line as Associate Conductress for Edna Rohde. In 1958 she served as Conductress for Phyllis Lindsey. In 1959, she served as Associate Matron for Clarion Kuba.
Sister Joyce served Ellbrook Chapter as Worthy Matron in 1960, with her beloved husband Ross Black as her Patron. Sister Joyce’s Installation took place on December 3, 1959. There were at least 189 members and 101 visitors present. Visitors included the Grand Organist, Robert Klippinger; Deputy Grand Matron Marjorie Violanti; and the following Grand Representatives: Arizona, Marjorie Nemeth; Puerto Rico, Martha Speter, and Louisiana, Ellbrook’s own Sister Helen Wiley, who also served as the Installing Officer. The Chapter room was decorated with yellow popcorn mums and white carnations and Sister Joyce’s motto for the year was "The Magic of Prayer." Soloist Helene Davis sung "My Task," "My God and I," "If I could tell you," and "No man is an Island." Two notable Star Points that year included Ceil Kopecky as Adah and Betty Hauser as Martha. Ellbrook’s auxiliaries, including Senior Auxiliary, Junior Stars, Estrellitas, gave Chapter gifts totaling over $900. These auxiliaries continue to provide financial support to the Chapter and have very active memberships.
Joyce’s Inspection was held on March 3, 1960. Worthy Grand Matron Dorothy Weick was the Inspecting Officer. There were 48 visitors and 97 visitors present, including the Right Worthy Grand Trustee of the General Grand Chapter, Sister Marguerite Kennerdell. In her remarks, the WGM found that Ellbrook Chapter’s Ritualistic work was "truly inspiring" and noted that it "exemplified every phase of the work of our Order in a most commendable manner." The Inspecting Officer further remarked to Sister Joyce that "yours is an outstanding Chapter and a real blessing to the Order."
Sister Joyce received her first Grand Appointment as Grand Representative to Kentucky, and through her travels Eastern Star members all over the state learned what a special Sister our Joyce was, so much so that when Associate Grand Matron Alice Ryder was choosing her Grand corps of Officers for her WGM year in 1967, she asked Joyce to be her Grand Warder. Joyce said yes, and her journey towards Worthy Grand Matron began.
Joyce served the Grand Chapter in 1971 as Worthy Grand Matron with Brother Robert South as her Worthy Grand Patron. Those in attendance at meetings all over the state recall Sister Joyce and her officers wearing beautiful red dresses trimmed in gold. She was first presented in Ellbrook Chapter as WGM during the last part of the 1970 term, when Selma Long was the Worthy Matron. Joyce continued to visit her beloved Ellbrook Chapter during the 1971 term, which was led by Worthy Matron Harriet Henz, who had served as Joyce’s Warder in 1960. Joyce’s signature song was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," a tune we still hear in the Chapter room whenever our Sister is present. It was during this very special year that our Sister Joyce became acquainted with a first time Worthy Matron from Day Chapter in District 4: this year’s Worthy Grand Matron, Sister Bonnie Youngblood. The friendship they forged has lasted throughout the years and is truly one of loving kindness.
Our Sister Joyce has been a loving supporter not only of Ellbrook Chapter but of all her Sisters and Brothers in District 3 for sixty years. Her guidance, insight and experience is invaluable to each one of us.