Children of Pioneer
The “Children of Pioneers” was organized Sunday afternoon, March 27, 1938, at the Methodist Church by Esther Belle Wheeler. 26 persons, whose parents came to Marceline Township 40 or more years before, attended the meeting, thus becoming charter members. Officers were president, Claude Dail; vice-president, R. M. Wrenn; recording secretary, Mrs. Ruby Wolfe; corresponding secretary, Miss Anna Connelly; assisting corresponding secretary, Richard Schutte; treasurer, Mrs. Ethel Porter Dexter; reporter, Mrs. Olive Crystal McNeil; pianist, Miss Fern Wolfe and song leader, Mrs. Ruth Atwell Mercer. At the time of the Golden Jubilee, September 8, 9, 10, 1938, there were close to 200 members. The Fifth Commandment was chosen as the motto of the new organization. Their oval shaped pins bore the emblem of an early Santa Fe engine, name of organization and date 1888. Mr. Bledso, president of the Santa Fe; Mr. Lehman, gen. manager of Eastern Lines; Mr. C. L. Mason, Superintendent of the Missouri Division; Walt Disney and S. J. Ray, former residents, were named honorary members and each given a pin. Due to lack of incentive, the meetings were discontinued, but with the coming of the Diamond Jubilee, interest has been revived and headquarters will be in the City Hall during the celebration.
Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
Beta Sigma Phi, an international organization founded at Abilene, Kansas, in 1931 by Walter W. Ross, is dedicated to hundreds of thousands of young women throughout the world, who compose the membership of some four thousand active chapters. It has gained recognition around the world as a non-academic and non-sectarian, social, cultural and civic organization. Marceline is proud to have had four active chapters; namely, Delta Nu, Nu Phi Mu, Junior Miss, and Exemplars. Its history in Marceline dates back to 1948 when the first local chapter, Delta Nu, was formed as a friendly venture by Beta Sigma Phi Chapter of Brookfield, Missouri. It provided a fine cultural program, several annual social events, spring and fall formal installation ceremonies, style shows, March of Dimes drives, and other civic interests. An annual event of importance was the April 30th Founder’s Day celebration. The charter members were Shirlea Fletcher Barnes, Harlene Moore Stanley, Mary Betty Moore Penniston, Norma Pearl Santus Hawkins, Rosalind Malone, Mary Jean Cochran, Shirlea Schloemer, Frances Zurcher Washam, Frances Munyon White, Hortense Darr, Lucille Sternitzky McGinnis, Camilla Cameron Snider, Wanda Wampler Wooten, Shirley Othic, Cathryn Owens, Deoma Mendenhall Schnoor, Jean Lee Sportsman Hoskins, Nerma Kienast Noll, and Jo Ann Miller Kelly. Fleeta Rodgers was the first sponsor and served in that capacity through the thirteen years. Directors serving were Marcelle Green, Becky Walsworth, Dorothy Boudreaux, and Thelma Cruze.