The Sarah Maples Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met for the National Prayer Day, May 7, at the park in Baywood Estates to hold a memorial service for past members of the Sarah Maples Chapter. There have been 22 members who have died, which includes most of the organizing members of the Sarah Maples Chapter. Iris Lockey was the first member to be recognized. She was an organizing member of the chapter for 26 years. Her ancestor was Sarah Maples, the namesake of the chapter, who rendered aide to the Army of the American Revolution in North Carolina by feeding the troops. Iris died on January 8, 1990. The last was Helen Bennett who died on April 19, 2014.
Chaplain, Priscilla Berry organized the event and rang a bell after each name was read. The service included readings, music, and scripture. Members shared fond memories of each name read before closing with a prayer and a song by Alan Jackson “I’ll Fly Away.” Each departed member was honored by a donated flower from Walmart in Gun Barrel. Those 22 flowers were planted at the Veterans Memorial Garden in Mabank the next day.