Beta Sigma Phi names queen

(Front row, L-R): Susan Grimsley, Queen Veryl Garland Cockey, Jo Mock; (second row) Pat Holzknecht, Peggy Widner, Mary Nell Rentz; (third row) Barbara Stafford, Mary Rentz, Iva Tabb, Shirley Holt; (fourth row) Hilda Grow, Jan Grimsley, Lola Godfrey, Jo Davis; (back row) Tina Grimsley, Barbie Womble, Ann Stewart, and Linda Helms

Beta

The Xi Omicron Epsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi is proud to announce that Veryl Cockey has been named the 2008 Valentine Queen. A Valentine celebration was held at the Tarrer Inn on Thursday, February 7, with the following members in attendance: Veryl Cockey, Jo Davis, Lola Godfrey, Jan Grimsley, Susan Grimsley, Tina Grimsley, Hilda Grow, Shirley Holt, Pat Holzknecht, Linda Helms, Betty Miller, Jo Mock, Mary Nell Rentz, Mary Y. Rentz, Barbara Stafford, Ann Stewart, Iva Tabb, Peggy Widner and Barbie Womble.

Members gathered in the lovely dining hall for an evening of wonderful fellowship. Iva Tabb, second vice president, welcomed everyone and introduced Veryl Cockey as the 2008 Valentine Queen. Shirley Holt, the 2007 Valentine Queen, had the honor of crowning the new queen and then presented her with a bouquet of long-stemmed yellow roses, the Beta Sigma Phi flower.

After a delicious buffet dinner, Mrs. Tabb offered a special tribute to Queen Veryl. Other sorority sisters followed with beautiful memories of the honoree. The annual celebration was concluded with Mrs. Tabb presenting an appropriate reading entitled, "Celebrate the Stages of Life," from Girlfriend Wisdom by Jody Houghton.

The history of Beta Sigma Phi International in Colquitt dates back to 1967 when the Epsilon Alpha Ritual of Jewels Chapter was chartered. Hilda Grow and the late Mary Johnson are credited with organizing this chapter with 14 charter members. Five of these charter members, Veryl Cockey, Hilda Grow, Jan Grimsley, Mary Y. Rentz and Betty Jo Toole, remain active in the local chapter.

The Epsilon Alpha Chapter elected Mary Y. Rentz as its first Valentine queen in 1968, and the tradition soon became a highlight of the sorority year. In 1994, after many years of talking about forming another chapter of Beta Sigma Phi in Colquitt, the Xi Omicron Epsilon Exemplar chapter was chartered. This chapter crowned its first queen, Charlie Ann Lane, in 1995.

Beta Sigma Phi International is a non-academic sorority with 200,000 members in chapters across the world. The organization was founded in Abilene, Kansas, in 1931 by Walter W. Ross for the social, cultural, and civic enrichment of its members. At the International level, dues from members support various charities. At the local level, Xi Omicron Epsilon members participate in an annual service project. This year's project benefitedthe women residents of Miller Nursing Home.