THE

VALLEY OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND

By: Ill. Kenneth H Sebra, 33°

LOSS OF A BROTHER AND FRIEND–ILLUSTRIOUS ALVIN EUGENE JONES, 33°

Alvin Eugene Jones, of California, MD died unexpectedly May 31st, 2010. He was 83 years old. Mr. Jones is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Jones, daughter Alissa Jones, grand­daughter Jessica Jasper, son Christopher Jones, and his younger sister Garnette Apple­gate. He was born on August 5th, 1926 in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. He graduated from the Universi­ty of Louisville in 1952 with a BS in Civil Engineering and spent most of his life practicing his profession in St. Mary’s County Maryland

Petty Officer Alvin Jones was a proud Naval Veteran. On September 2nd, 1945 he witnessed the Japanese surrender cer­emonies from his ship in Tokyo Bay.

Brother Alvin Jones was an active Freemason for 62 years. He served as Master of Thomas J Shryock Lodge #223, Hol­lywood Maryland in 1982 and served as Worshipful Junior Grand Steward to the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

Illustrious Alvin Jones, 33° was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He was Char­ter member of the Valley of Southern Maryland and was its first secretary. Al John served as Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection in 1991 and as Wise Master of the Chapter of Rose Croix in 1993. He has played many parts in the degree work, both in the Orient of Maryland and in the Valley of Southern Maryland. He held numerous positions including the Personal Rep­resentative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General for the Orient of Maryland.

Noble Alvin Jones was a member of the Boumi Shrine. He was a charter member and the first secretary of the Pa-Po- Peake Shrine Club. He enjoyed helping with the Hospital Pa­per Drive and talking to people about the work of the Shriners Hospital for Children. He was also an Ambassador to the Po­tentate of Boumi Shrine.

Alvin Eugene Jones was buried with full Navy Honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, August 5th, 2010. Many Brothers, friends and family members honored Brother Alvin Jones’ life as a Mason and as a man at a Masonic Me­morial Service held at Thomas J Shryock Lodge on August 6th, 2010

SCOTTISH RITE DEGREES IN A BLUE LODGE–THE OUTPOSTS OF SCOTTISH RITE MASONRY

The Valley of Southern Maryland is a small Scottish Rite Valley compared to most of the Valleys in the United States. It consists of a Lodge of Perfection and a Chapter of Rose Croix. We meet in Thomas J Shryock Lodge Building at Hollywood, MD and confer the degrees in a Blue Lodge setting as they were originally. The 19th through the 32nd degrees are con­ferred in Baltimore at the Scottish Rite Temple.

The classes are small. Every candidate gets to participate in the degree work. It is a very personal experience for each can­didate and each degree team member.

A large percentage of our valley membership gets to partici­pate in the degree work, sometimes in the very next class after they receive the 32nd degree.

Four Masonic organizations share our lodge building; Thomas J. Shryock Blue Lodge #223, Valley of Southern Mary­land Scottish Rite, Julia Halla Chapter #107 of the Eastern Star and Bethel #42 of the Job’s Daughters. These four organizations are fully integrated and work togeth­er supporting each other’s activities. It is not unusual for a person to hold an office in more than one of these or­ganizations.

Many who are active members of the Valley of Southern Maryland would not be able to participate as much as they do if it were not for this outpost of Scottish Rite Masonry. Thank you, Ori­ent of Maryland, for your support and allowing us to be a part of your activities.