From: Carol Ann Roberson, WGM[caroberson57@netzero.net]
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Subject: Mena Chapter Building Fund
Many have asked where to send funds
toward the rebuilding of the Lodge in Mena.
Mena Chapter #243 has set up a building fund
and monies can be sent to the Chapter Secretary at:
Sybil A. Allen
1800 Reeves Street
Mena, AR 71953-3530
Phone: 479.394.1726
From: Carol Ann Roberson, WGM[caroberson57@netzero.net]
Date: Friday, April 24, 2009
Subject: Mena Chapter Meeting
We are happy to announce that Mena Chapter
had their first meeting since the tornado.
The meeting was held at the Hatfield Lodge.
From: Carol Ann Roberson, WGM[caroberson57@netzero.net]
Date: Friday, April 24, 2009
Subject: Mary Elizabeth Parker
(Mena victim) Was not able to have the surgery on the 20th.
Please keep her in your prayers.
Carol
From: Carol Ann Roberson, WGM[caroberson57@netzero.net]
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2009 7:57 AM
Subject: Mary Elizabeth Parker
(Mena victim) is out of ICU and had knee surgery last Monday.
She is to have back surgery on the 20th.
Please keep her in your prayers.
Carol
Reported by: Carol Ann Roberson, Worthy Grand Matron
Via Phone: Saturday, April 18, 2009 10:19 AM
A memorial service for Sister Anna Cress
will be held at 2:00 pm today, (Saturday), (April 18).
Talked with Sister Minnie Auston and she said a building fund has been
started and donations can be sent to Mena Chapter Secretary, Sister Sybil Allen.
Mena Chapter will be meeting at Hatfield now.
That's all we now at this time.
Carol Ann
From: Carol Ann Roberson [caroberson57@netzero.net]
Posted: Saturday, April 18, 2009 7:57 AM
Subject: Update on Elizabeth Parker
Mary Elizabeth Parker (Mena victim) is out of ICU
and had knee surgery last Monday.
She is to have back surgery on the 20th.
Please keep her in your prayers.
Carol
The Mason Lodge in Mena was destroyed last night in the tornado that moved through that area.
The Sister Bobbie Hodges, DGL was having her official visit at the Mena chapter when the tornado hit.
The members heard sirens, but were hit immediately.
Several members have injuries and Sister Ana Cress, PM of the chapter lost her life.
The chapter is completely destroyed.
Brother Earl Hodges, PGP, was trapped under a beam and was rescued with minor injuries,
Brother Joe Jeffers, PGP of Texas has a broken hand.
Sister Elizabeth Parker is in Sparks hospital in Fort Smith with injuries.
Brother Jack Peebles was not at the meeting but worked with the local Sherriff's office on the rescue efforts.
All the Mena members are in need of our prayers.
We will keep the site update as we receive further information.
The following was an Associate Press release I pulled from Google this morning:
1 who died Mena storm was at lodge meeting when roof collapsed
Associated Press - April 10, 2009 9:24 AM ET LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -
The Mena tornado's destruction hit Line Street the hardest. At the Dallas Masonic Lodge, the Order of the Eastern Star was having a meeting last night when the storm came through. The 19 people inside only heard the tornado siren sound and say they had no time to take cover when the storm hit. Thurman Allen, 79, of Mena said a woman at the meeting was killed when the roof of the building fell in. He said rescuers had to cut the roof away to recover her body. Authorities have not released names of the dead. Allen said that as the tornado hit the lodge, debris hit him in the head and knocked him to the ground. His wife, sitting nearby in a chair, was thrown to the floor. The storm knocked over the lodge's cinder block wall, bringing down wooden roof joists, insulation and shingles over the people gathered for the meeting.