The Joshua D. Brown Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) celebrated the holiday season with a luncheon at the Riverhill Country Club on December 3.
Guests and members enjoyed a festive buffet and seasonal music performed by cellist Karen Isenhower.
The event also included a silent auction to support the Scholarship Fund and the induction of nine new members: Cindy Brockwell, Debra Sue White, Sherry Watts, Allison Watts, Betty Sales, Diana Medina, Sarah Mc-Connell, Cynthia Kenney Schleyer, and Mary Jo Geisler Ebersole.
The chapter’s first meeting of 2025 will take place on January 27 at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Kerrville, located at 321 Thompson Drive.
Nancy Polk Fields Mc-Larry, a longtime chapter member and president of the Kerrville Genealogical Society, will be the featured speaker. McLarry, a Chickasaw Nation Elder and descendant of Edward Burleson and President James K. Polk, will present on “The Indians of Texas.” At 89, she attributes her longevity to sunshine and zinc.
The DRT observes 14 Honor Days annually to commemorate key events from the Republic of Texas era (1836–1846).
Among them is the Siege of Bexar, remembered on December 9, marking the Texian victory over Mexican forces in San Antonio in 1835. This pivotal battle led to Texian control of the Alamo.
On January 26, the organization honors Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second president of the Republic of Texas and “Father of Education in Texas.”
Lamar’s contributions include establishing funds for public education, designating land for schools and universities, founding the Texas State Library, and designing the Texas State Seal.
The DRT, the oldest women’s patriotic organization in Texas, is committed to preserving and promoting Texas history.
Anyone interested in Texas history or tracing their ancestry to the Republic period is welcome to attend the January meeting.
For more information, contact Judy McVay at 830-537-3742 or via email at judithmcvay8@gmail. com.
From left, new members Sherry Watts and Allison Watts of Medina; Mary Ebersole of San Antonio; Betty Sales of Kerrville, Cindy Brockwell of Boerne, Debra Zerr of Hondo; Diana Medina of Sabinal; Sarah McConnell of Boerne; and Cynthia Schleyer of Boerne. Courtesy Photo
