MSSDAR Leadership 2019-2022

Hellen Hicks Polk
Regent

Joined Mary Stuart Chapter, Tupelo, in 1979 as a Junior; Transferred to Hic-A-Sha-Ba-Ha Chapter, Starkville, in 1985

Past MSSDAR First Vice Regent, Past MSSDAR Organizing Secretary, Past Hic-A-Sha-Ba-Ha Chapter Regent (two terms),MSSDAR Board of Management Finance Committee, Rosalie Governing Board Budget and Finance Committee, Past MSSDAR American History State Chair,  Past Rosalie Governing Board Gardens Co-Chairman, NSDAR State Regents Club, NSDAR State Vice Regents Club – Past President, NSDAR Museum Correspondent Docent, MSSDAR Chapter Regents Association, MSSDAR State Officers’ Club, MSSDAR State Chairmen’s Association, MSSDAR Cameo Society and New Horizons Graduate

Education: BS, Master’s, EdS – Home Economics / Child Development, Extension Education, and Educational Leadership

Professional Career: Retired educator and school administrator of 31 years

Family: Husband – Carlton Polk, one son and daughter-in-law, one grandson

The State Regent performs the duties required of her by the National Society; has general supervision over the work of the Society in this state; presides at the meetings of the State Conference, of the State Board of Management, and of the Executive Committee; appoints a parliamentarian subject to the approval of the State Board, all standing committees and all special committees not otherwise provided for by the Conference.

 

Priscilla Allen Harper
First Vice Regent

Joined Yazoo Chapter, Yazoo City, 2006

Past MSSDAR Organizing Secretary, Past Yazoo Chapter Regent, Past Yazoo Chapter Chaplain, Yazoo Chapter Secretary

Education:  BS and Master’s Business Education

Professional Career:  Retired Educator of 28 years

Family: Husband Robert E. Harper, one son

The State First Vice Regent assumes the duties of the State Regent if the Regent is unable to perform them and assists the State Regent as requested. She assists the District Directors in coordinating plans for the District Meetings and Regents’ Evening at State Conference.

 

Laurie Daltroff Triplette
Second Vice Regent 

Joined David Reese Chapter, Oxford, in 2010.

Past MSSDAR Hills District Director, Past MSSDAR State DAR Scholarships Chair, MSSDAR Cameo Society President 2019-2020, past David Reese Regent, Vice Regent; and Registrar three terms, 2016-2021

Education: B.A., English (American Lit and Communications), M.A., Art and Arts Management, accredited senior appraiser of fine arts, 1985-present

Professional Career: Journalist and public relations specialist, free-lance food, art and feature writer; retired fine arts advisor and appraiser of 36 years

Family: Husband – Jeff Triplette, one daughter and son-in-law, one son and daughter-in-law

The State Second Vice Regent assumes the duties of the State Regent if neither the State Regent nor the State First Vice Regent is able to perform them. She edits and publishes the Mississippi State DAR News subject to approval of the Regent. She is the Mississippi Chairman for the MSSDAR sponsored or co-sponsored social event held at Continental Congress.

 

Amelia Katherine Langford
Chaplin 

Joined DAR as a Junior Member 1994 in Old Robinson Road Chapter. 

Past Vice-Regent, Regent, Chapter Chairmanships, and Honorary Chapter Regent of Old Robinson Road Chapter. Designed the MS State Page Club Pin. State Page Chairman, American Indians Chairman, Conservation Chairman, American History Chairman, Personal Page to State Regent and visiting President General, State Historian, MSSDAR Chorus Director. Paged at Continental Congress, Personal Page to the Platform Committee, Platform Committee, National Vice Chairman’s Association, Heritage Club, National Vice Chairman of Cultural Events and Traditions of the American Heritage Committee, Southeastern Divisional Vice Chairman of Historic Preservation, and National Vice Chair of Congress Music- All American Chorus Director

Education: Bachelor of Arts Speech/English from Belhaven College 1983; Master of Arts from Mississippi State University 1991 in Spanish; Licensures in Education/ State of MS in Speech, English, Spanish; Studied Vocal Performance for twelve plus years; Studied abroad in Spain and Costa Rica.

Profession: Retired teacher with 27 and a half years to the State of MS

The State Chaplain opens all meetings of the State Society with Scripture and prayer, and conducts any other services which occasions demand. She conducts at each annual State Conference a Memorial Service for members who have passed away during the year. She sends letters of sympathy to families of deceased members upon receiving information from Chapter Chaplain

Sarah Bell Harris
Recording Secretary

Joined DAR, LaSalle Chapter/Corinth in 1982.  Current member of the Mary Stuart Chapter/Tupelo.  Past MSSDAR American History Chair, Cameo Society officer, Past Vice Regent, Regent and Honorary Regent of Mary Stuart Chapter and C.A.R. advisor.

Education:  MUW and the University of Mississippi

Professional:  Executive secretary for the Chancellor, University of Mississippi and for CEO of a mill and industrial supply company.  Two terms president Pilot Club.  Served 9 years on the Corinth Separate School District Board of Trustees, last 3 years as president.  Explorer Bible Study Teacher, BSA unit leader, charter member Lee County master Gardeners, Salvation Army Auxiliary, religious and gardening columnist  Sixth generation Mississippian.

Family  Husband (SAR) Jim Harris, DAR daughter Holly Wroten (son-in-law), SAR son John Harris (daughter-in-law), 7 grand-children (two career military) and 5 great-grand-children.

The State Recording Secretary keeps a correct record of the proceedings of all meetings of the State Conference, of the State Board of Management, and of the Executive Committee. After State Board of Management meetings a copy of the minutes shall be sent to the State Regent. She compiles and publishes, with the approval of the State Regent, the MSSDAR Yearbook containing the proceedings of the annual Conference.

 

Shana Dae Fondren
Corresponding Secretary

Joined Old Choctaw County Chapter, Eupora, in 2005 as a Junior.

MSSDAR VIS-Chairman, Past MSSDAR State Junior of the Year, Past MSSDAR Lineage Research Chairman, Past Old Choctaw County Chapter, Regent, Treasurer and Registrar

Education: B.A., Classics (Millsaps College), Juris Doctorate (University of Mississippi)

Professional Career:  Member of the Mississippi Bar since 2002.

Family:  Husband: Ellis Hay.  Parents: John and Sheila Fondren.

The State Corresponding Secretary sends out notices of meetings of the State Conference and of the State Board of Management, and conducts such correspondence as the State Regent, the State Board of Management, and the State Executive Committee may direct. She is responsible for stocking and selling material of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

 

Elizabeth (Beth) Rhinehart Herring
Organizing Secretary

Joined Chickasawhay Chapter, Waynesboro, in 1977 as a Junior

Past Chickasawhay Chapter Regent (three terms)

Education:  BS, Master’s, EdS, PhD – Gifted Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and Educational Leadership

Professional Career:  Retired educator and school administrator of 38 years

Family:  Husband – Russell Herring

The State Organizing Secretary has supervision over the promotion and organization of new chapters, working in consultation with the State Regent and State Registrar, and under the direction of the Organizing Secretary General of the National Society. She works with existing chapters to maintain membership and increase active participation in the objectives of the State and National Societies.

 

Deborah (Debbie) Frances Cannon
Treasurer

Joined Natchez Chapter, Natchez in 1991, Transferred to Nacogdoches Chapter, Nacogdoches, TX in 2000, Transferred to Annandale Chapter, Madison in 2006.

Past MSSDAR Heartland District Director, Past Annandale Chapter Historian, Past Annandale Chapter Regent (two terms)

Continental Congress House Committee (Tiers Sections S-V) 2016-2018, Continental Congress Section Vice Chairman (Tiers Sections S-V) 2018-2019.

Education:  BS, Agricultural Science-Home Economics /Fashion Merchandising

Professional Career:  Outside Sales Representative for Gas Equipment Company covering Mississippi, Alabama, and West Tennessee.  GEC is a wholesale distributor for propane, refine fuels, welding gas, and cryogenic equipment.  Have worked in the industry for 39 years.

The State Treasurer has charge of the funds and securities of the State Society. She directs the work of accounting and data processing and disburses funds only on the order of the State Conference, the State Board of Management, or the State Regent. She submits annually to the State Conference a Financial Statement and Compilation Report of Receipts and Disbursements for the year. The Treasurer shall be bonded by the State Society in such amount as shall be determined by the State Board.

Patricia (Pat) Emens Anderson
Registrar

Joined Rebecca Cravat Chapter in 2014.  Past Rebecca Cravat Chapter Registrar (two terms),  MSSDAR Cameo Society, America 250! Membership Task Force volunteer.

Education:  BA Secondary Education – Latin, English and History.  Additional hours for Elementary Education.  University of South Carolina.

Volunteer Opportunities:  P.E.O. Sisterhood MS State President (two terms); P.E.O. STAR Scholarship – Pilot Project Committee member and then Chairman of recognized project.  Several national officer positions with Pi Beta Phi Fraternity.

Professional:  Educator in North Carolina, South Carolina and Mississippi. Real Estate Broker. 
Administrative Assistant to two senior law partners. Stenographer with the FBI.
 

Family:  Husband – Jon Anderson,
Son – Stephen Anderson and daughter-in-law Mandi.Two grandchildren.
Daughter – Lauren Anderson. Joined Rebecca Cravat as a Junior member.

The State Registrar keeps membership lists and files of chapters; assists applicants for membership in towns where there are no chapters; assists chapter Registrars in verifying lineage papers; reports the membership of the State Society to the State Conference; cooperates with the State Regent and the State Organizing Secretary in the formation of new chapters.

 

Rachel Cuming Tate
Historian

Joined Mississippi Delta Chapter, in 1979 as a Junior. MSSDAR Outstanding Junior 1989 Mississippi Delta Chapter First Vice-Regent and Registrar, Past Regent, Historian, Librarian, Treasurer, Page.  Past MSSDAR Librarian, Constitution Week Chairman, State Scrapbook Chairman, Member State Officers Club, Chapter Regents Club, Page Club. Juniors Club. Cameo Society:  President, Vice-President, Chaplain, Secretary. Friends of Rosalie, 2010 Club              NSDAR:  Sustaining Supporter, Heritage Club, 1890 Giving Circle, Outstanding Junior Members Club, Friends of the Library, Corridor Hostess, New Horizons Graduate

Education: BSE, Social Studies, MLS

Professional Career: Retired educator and librarian 30 years

Family:  Husband – Gregory Cole

The State Historian furnishes to the Historian General the information from the state for her annual report. She maintains a file of grave records reported to the Historian General and a file of graves marked by chapters. She maintains a record of the marking of the Historic Spots by the State Society or chapters. She promotes the study of American History and historical research in relation to the American Revolution. She is responsible for four (4) sets of the three (3) yearbooks of the Administration for binding: one set each for (1) Rosalie, (2) the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, (3) the MSSDAR Genealogical Library housed in the Scoper-Love Carriage House, located at the MSSDAR-owned Rosalie Mansion in Natchez, and (4) the National Society.

 

Leslie Davidson Bruning
Librarian

Joined Gayosa Chapter, Kennett, Missouri, in 1982; transferred to William Dunbar Chapter, Natchez, in 2003

Past State Registrar, Past Literacy Promotion State Chairman, Past State Conference Registration Chairman, Past William Dunbar Chapter Regent

Education:  BA Duke University; MA Institute of Fine Art, NYU; art history

Marriage: H. F. Bruning Jr., divorced

The State Librarian collects, as far as possible, such books and papers for the National Society as may be designated by the Librarian General. She may solicit gifts for the Library and select books to be bought with such donations. She has supervision over the MSSDAR Genealogical Library housed in the Scoper-Love Carriage House, located at the MSSDAR-owned Rosalie Mansion in Natchez.

 

Montine Young Bond
Curator

Joined Major Matthew McConnell Chapter in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1975, served as DAR Good Citizen Chairman, recording Secretary.

Transferred to Yazoo Chapter, Yazoo City, Mississippi 1982

Past chapter chairman DAR Good Citizen for 12 years. Chapter Recording Secretary, Chapter Historian, Constitution Week Chairman 9 years, Chapter Regent, two terms

Past MSSDAR State Chaplain

Education:  MSCW and Ole Miss – elementary education major

Business:  retired kindergarten teacher 25 years

Family:  Husband – Dr.Edward Bond, deceased.  2 children – deceased daughter daughter,  son and daughter-in-law, 3 grandchildren. 

The State Curator compiles an inventory of the contents of Rosalie by the end of the second year of each administration. Detailed duties of this officer are given in the Procedure Manual of the Rosalie Governing Board.

Mary Francis Willard
Rosalie Governing Board Chair

Joined Natchez Chapter, Natchez, MS 2005
 
Past MSSDAR Curator, Past MSSDAR Chaplain, Member All-American Chorus -3 years, Rosalie Governing Board 11 years.  Chapter Regent(two terms), Chapter Vice Regent, Chapter Historian, 
 
Education: Mississippi Univeristy for Women and University of Southern Mississippi: BS Library Science 
 
Professional Career: Children’s Librarian Judge Armstrong Public Library 6 years, School Librarian Trinity Episcopal Day School 17 years, Church Secretary for 12 years.
 
Family: Husband Wallace Willard, one daughter and son in law,  one son; 2 grandsons and one granddaughter.
 
The Rosalie Governing Board Chair is appointed by the State Regent-elect subject to approval of the State Board. By virtue of this chairmanship, she is an ex-officio member of the State Board and shall report to the Board at the regular meetings, to the State Conference, and shall keep the State Regent fully informed of all Rosalie business. She directs the affairs of Rosalie acting in the capacity of the Chairman of the Rosalie Governing Board. Other specific duties are set out in the Procedure Manual of the Rosalie Governing Board.

 

Mary Ann Hess
Parliamentarian

Joined Belvidere Chapter, Greenville, in 1996 as a Junior; Transferred to Nahoula Chapter, Laurel, in 2000

Past MSSDAR Recording Secretary, Past MSSDAR Corresponding Secretary, Past Nahoula Chapter Regent, Chapter Regents Association – Past President, Cameo Society – Vice President, Paged at 3 Continental Congresses and 8 State Conferences

Education: AA – Business Management; BBA, MBA – Business Management

Professional Career: City Clerk/Finance Director – City of Laurel

Parliamentary Procedure Experience:  Member of the National Association of Parliamentarians since 1984; Mississippi Association of Parliamentarians – Past State Chairman

Family: Mother – Reba Hess; one brother, sister-in-law, and nephew

The State Regent appoints the State Parliamentarian, who serves during her term. Her duty is to advise the State Regent and other officers, committees, and members on matters of parliamentary procedure.