The QUEEN OF THE SOUTH is a complimentary segment of the Order of the Eastern Star degree. The Queen of the South degree is designed to complement the members who have previously received the five degrees of the Order of the Eastern Star, by giving them an intimate bond and a token of recognition whereby they may know Masons and be known to them.

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Daughter Dorothy Riley complimented the Order of the Eastern Star as International’s Associate to Daughter Pernella Tubbs for many years. During the year 1967, Illustrious Dr. William V. Banks, 33˚ founder and Supreme President (deceased) separated the degrees and appointed Daughter Dorothy Riley to establish a Queen of the South Department. 

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Princess Dorothy Riley traveled from state to state appointing and electing Grand Queen Bathsheba’s and in 1972 the Supreme Queen of the South Department was chartered and the work began bylaws, rituals, guidelines, executive boards and committees were enacted. 

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Princess Riley needed time to promote plans and programs to the membership. She was allotted 6:00 a.m. sessions at the Supreme Convention for this purpose. Some members complained ~”too early”, but they kept coming, and come they did! This department grew, grew and flourished. Presently we have Palaces in twenty-eight states, governed by six National Districts.

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From the early bird two-hour session Monday-Friday at the Supreme Convention, the request for a National Convention for the Queen of the South Department was granted by our Supreme President, Illustrious Dr. George Mathews, 33˚. 

History making began January 5, 1995 at the Castlegate Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia and continued as follows; 

1996 Tennessee          1999 New York          2002 Alabama  

1997 New Jersey        2000 California          2003 New Jersey  

1998 Illinois                 2001 Florida              2004 New York (returned to Supreme)

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Well eight national conventions later, some members were still complaining: “too close to the holidays, weather too inclement to travel, hard to get flights/etc.,” but, we keep on going, going, gone! We are now back with the Supreme Convention on Thursday. We thank God for the faithful; however, if each of us will be the wind beneath the Queen of the South Department’s wings we all can soar to higher plains. 

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The Most Sovereign Supreme Dorothy Riley Queen of the South Department is the supreme palace for International F & AM Masons and all members of the Queen of the south belong to this palace. Princess Barbara Garrett, Supreme Queen Bathsheba is the current leader of the supreme palace.  

 

Dorothy Riley Grand Queen of the South Palace of Florida

Chartered June 4, 1975

By Dr. William V. Banks, Supreme Grand Master

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The Dorothy Riley Grand Queen of the South Palace is the Florida Grand Palace of International Masons and Order of The Eastern Star, which operates under The Most Sovereign Supreme Dorothy Riley Queen of the South Department. This grand palace serves as the governing body of the local QOS palaces in Florida. We teach charity service to all mankind and we try to induce an ethical way of life within our membership.

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Grand King Solomon Bobbie Williams and Princess Inez Johnson, Grand Queen Bathsheba were the first officers in the Dorothy Riley Grand Queen of the South Palace of Florida.  Throughout the years others have served and shared of their time and talent with the department. Those leaders in order of service include; King Solomon Robert Kates and Princess Jean Waller. King Solomon Timothy Sinclair  and Princess Ida Williams Holmes. King Solomon Bobby Price and Princess Selphenia Hudson-Shields. King Solomon Bobby Price and Princess Anna Noldon-Green. King Solomon James Green and Princess Anna Noldon-Green. King Solomon Coy Adams and Princess Shonda Benjamin. King Solomon Coy Adams and Princess Anna Noldon-Green. These frontrunners of the organization led the way to allow the opportunity for the new generation to take the lead in King Solomon Michael Davis and Princess Chuvala Snell-McFarlane, who were elected August 14, 2021.