Chief Piomingo Chapter, NSDAR

03/15/2026

Chief Piomingo members had a great evening at the Declaration of Independence Dinner on Saturday. Chief Piomingo and River City Chapters, SAR, MOWW, and ESU USA combined efforts to celebrate America 250. Nancy Smith played piano, Fairy Waters and Debbie Parker led attendees in the National Anthem and songs of the military branches. A program given by Patrick Henry (aka, Russ White,SAR) told the story of “Give me liberty, or give me death.”

Marjorie Green gave a prayer of Thanksgiving and greeted attendees at the registration desk. And Fairy Waters was emcee, creative artist, program developer, and pure genius! Fairy, aided by members of the Commemorative Events Committee did a great job.

03/15/2026

SAR Liberty Tree Dedicated

On March 13, 2026, 14 members of River City, Chief Piomingo, and Watauga chapters attended a Liberty Tree dedication in Pioneer Park, Atoka, TN by Isaac Shelby Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. It was a beautiful day, albeit cool and quite windy, to remember the early beginnings of our country’s stirrings for independence. The program checked off all the boxes for a very successful event. From the beautiful singing of our National Anthem by high school student Kate Donahoo, to Atoka’s Mayor Barry Akin, proclaiming March 13, 2026, as Liberty Tree Day, the ceremony was fun, meaningful, and very well attended. Members of SAR, DAR, and citizens of Atoka listened to SAR State Chair America 250 Committee and Past Chapter President, Dr. Rick Treharne, tell the story of the Liberty Tree with low tech slides (pictures) and a manual laser pointer (finger). Dr. Treharne ended the ceremony by pouring water from a Revolutionary War canteen on the young tree.

03/15/2026

Chapter members toured the Mallory Neely House on Saturday guided by fellow chapter member and house docent, Jill Cross. The beautiful mansion reflects the golden age of extreme wealth in the mid 1800s in Memphis. The house is a preservation rather than a restoration with over 90% of the furnishings being original to the house. Everyone loved the tour, the furnishings, and the stories delivered by Jill.

So, what will our next adventure be? Please send suggestions to me!

03/11/2026

The Road to Independence-Session 2 at the Collierville Library explored The Boston Tea Party. Marjorie Green shared the story of the Robinson Chest and showed a real brick of tea. Participants enjoyed yummy tea desserts donated by Across the Board Catering. They also made a Tea Chest of their own. Many thanks to Diane Henry, Jennifer Boren, Marjorie Green, and Across the Board Catering!

02/16/2026

12/08/2025

Women in American History Award
Marguerite Clarene Pinkston Russell

Chief Piomingo Chapter’s Historian, Monica Cox, proudly presented the Women in American History Award to Clarene Pinkston Russell at the chapter’s meeting on December 4, 2025.

The Daughters of the American Revolution honor women who have made a contribution or a difference in their communities. Marguerite Clarene Pinkston Russell made a difference in Collierville, TN. As Collierville Town Historian, she was the author of Collierville, Tennessee Her People and Neighbors, a History of Collierville.

Clarene served as the first chairman of the Collierville Town Beautiful Commission, President of the 20th Century Club, Contemporary Club, and Home Demonstration Club. She chaired the Collierville Bicentennial Committee in 1976. She served on the Historical Zoning Commission, Zoning Appeals Commission, and the Collierville Planning Commission; Tennessee Historical Commission and the Tennessee Consumer Protection Commission. In addition, Clarene was a member of NSDAR Watauga Chapter and Descendants of Early Settlers of Shelby County. Clarene died on May 13, 2022.

Clarene suggested to the mayor that Collierville should have a history written. When it didn’t work out for someone else to do it, she decided to do the work herself. It took about 10 years to do the research. She wrote the entire history in long hand, later hiring someone to type the book. It was published in 1994.

Collierville, Tennessee Her People and Neighbors, a History of Collierville, includes photos of Collierville through the years, stories of yellow fever sweeping through the town, tales of railroad life and details of the Battle of Collierville during the Civil War. A large appendix includes biographical sketches of families and individuals who built the town, records from Bibles and cemeteries, including Magnolia Cemetery, and much more.

Clarene’s daughter, Kathi Reisz of Dalton, GA, accepted the award via Zoom on behalf of her mother.

12/06/2025

At our December meeting, Chief Piomingo members Carla Maitland and Debra Nimtz were presented with the Henry Knox Medal by Mark Norris, President of the Isaac Shelby Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.
The Henry Knox Medal is awarded for an individual’s outstanding contribution to a SAR Chapter’s activities. The Isaac Shelby Chapter is actively engaged in Operation Ancestor Search (OAS) which is a free national genealogy training program for Veterans, their families, and the medical and installation staff responsible for their care. OAS provides participants with the knowledge and tools that allow them to conduct their own genealogy research while they are under care through military hospitals, medical centers and Veteran nursing care facilities across the country.

At the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers Medical Center in Memphis, members of the Isaac Shelby Chapter have been conducting these training sessions for Veterans who are paired with a genealogist in learning research skills to build self-confidence, self-efficacy, and personal agency. In 2025, the Isaac Shelby Chapter conducted three, 8-week classes through the administration of the VA’s Therapy Department. Carla and Debra were two of their genealogists who, utilizing their expertise, have successfully provided such training to our Veterans.

Congratulations Carla and Debra

11/12/2025

Please consider supporting Wreaths Across America this Veterans Day! Chief Piomingo's Wreaths Across America web page is: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TN0201 - Remembrance wreaths will be provided in Dec 2025 for West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

Wreaths Across America ("WAA") coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies every December to "Remember, Honor, and Teach" about the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. Please check out this page to learn how you can help by sponsoring Veterans Remembrance Wreaths or by joining us on Decembe...

10/12/2025

Chief Piomingo had a wonderful Day of Service at Magnolia Cemetery yesterday. We had a great number of members willing to roll up their sleeves and grab a rake! Thanks to Shelia Powell, Martha Hughes, Debra Nimtz, Mary Alice Brock, Wendy Alexander, Monica Cox, Laurel Niday, Nancy Smith, Betsy Sexton, Victoria Johnson, Debbie Parker and David Sexton. Not pictured is the photographer, Jahna Smith. 

05/24/2025

They Gave Their Tomorrows For Our Todays ~ Memorial Day, 26 May 2025, is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering and honoring people who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
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"Let’s replace ‘Happy Memorial Day’ with ‘We Will Remember’" - American Gold Star Mothers, National (Official)
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05/17/2025

On , the DAR proudly salutes the brave men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces.

It is especially meaningful that this day falls in the heart of , a time dedicated to honoring those who protect our freedoms.

The DAR has a long-standing tradition of supporting our military community—not only through words, but through meaningful action.

We are especially proud to partner with the Military Women's Memorial to preserve and share the powerful stories of women who have served our nation with honor and distinction. Together, we are committed to ensuring their legacy endures for generations to come.

To all who serve: thank you. Your courage, commitment, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

05/15/2025

Know the difference:

Know the difference.