The 64th Annual Session of the Grand Court of Tennessee Order of the Amaranth was recently held at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg.

Several members of local Sunrise Court No. 20 were able to attend the Court. Grand Royal Matron Amy Jones presided over the “Smoky Mountain Memories” session. Several states were represented.

Distinguished guests included Supreme Royal Matron Martha Weidinger and Supreme Royal Patron William J. Hass. Grand Royal Matrons and Patrons from many states were also present.

The main charity for Amaranth is the Amaranth Diabetic Foundation. They also participate in many community projects. Jones presented a check to the Supreme Royal Matron for more than $13,000 for their Diabetic project.

The Order of the Amaranth is a Masonic-affiliated organization for Masons and their ladies. It was founded in America around 1873. Members are urged to show, by example, the “Golden Rule.”

On the session’s last day, new officers were installed. Brenda Campbell and Randal Totty were installed as the 2026 Grand Royal Matron and Patron of Tennessee.

Several members of Sunrise Court No. 20 were elected or appointed as Grand officers for 2026. Those include Donna Winstead as Grand Associate Matron, Robert “Butch” Carmichael as Grand Associated Patron, Lois Overbay as Grand Crown Bearer, Dianne Madsen as Grand Fraternal Correspondent, Donna Jo Jones as Grand Conductress, Kelly Pickering as Commissioner of Appeals, Betty Carmichael as Grand Faith Officer, Cindy Brooks as Grand Standard Bearer and Kathleen Lockhart as Grand Representative New Jersey and Arkansas.