Grand Dames
Since 1971 The Rhododendron Garden Club has honored a "Grand Dame" of the Cherry River Festival. She attends festivities, rides in the parades, and is honored for her outstanding community service. Below are the names of the former Grand Dames who have served.
1971 | Mabel Hinkle | 1997 | Mackie Taylor |
1972 | Bessie Tincher | 1998 | Sonya Chapman |
1973 | Ada Poling | 1999 | Ann Spencer |
1974 | Pearl Buck | 2000 | Susie Carter |
1975 | Myrtle Brooks | 2001 | Patti Price |
1976 | Virginia Echols | 2002 | Betty Bennette |
1977 | Marguerite Little | 2003 | Sally Gwinn |
1978 | Virginia Mansfield | 2004 | Sherry Chapman |
1979 | Becky Callaghan | 2005 | Gail Diaz |
1980 | Mary Crutchfield | 2006 | Kay Coffman |
1981 | Myrtle Spencer | 2007 | Rita Pieri |
1982 | Lola Lusk | 2008 | Joan Fitzpatrick |
1983 | Dorothy Caire | 2009 | Aggie Coles |
1984 | Edith Jones | 2010 | Verlene Coffman |
1985 | Elizabeth Deitz | 2011 | Jane McMichael |
1986 | Audra McClung | 2012 | Carol Marsh |
1987 | Midge Brown | 2013 | Lynn Williams |
1988 | Ruth Brunner | 2014 | Alice Bailey |
1989 | Ruth Hodovan | 2015 | Judy Davis |
1990 | Marie White | 2016 | Rozena Hobart |
1991 | Betty Spencer | 2017 | Judy Davis |
1992 | Virginia Butler | 2018 | Carma Lorenson |
1993 | Reva Dillon | 2019 | Barb Taylor |
1994 | Mary Fraley | ||
1995 | Pauline Boone | ||
1996 | Carlyn Scarber |