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