By Staff
Special to The Star
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000
Rubye Vance Harrison of Meridian has been honored with a special award by the state and national societies of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Harrison was presented a special Membership Recognition Pin for her research and assistance to current and prospective DAR members during the last three years. The award was presented by State Regent Mrs. Vincent Scoper of Laurel.
Harrison, a member of the Samuel Dale Chapter, DAR, was recently honored by her chapter with a special ceremony and party for her dedication to the society. A chapter member since 1983, she has served as Good Citizen chairman, DAR Scholarship chairman, Transportation and Safety chairman and Chapter By-laws chairman. She currently serves as chapter librarian and chairman of the Membership and Lineage Research Committee.
For more than 10 years, Harrison has been a volunteer for the Lauderdale County Department of Archives and History and has worked more than 1,500 hours to further genealogy research at the archives. She is currently researching the history of Collinsville, which the department plans to publish.
Harrison has volunteered at Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Library, planning public genealogy seminars and teaching private genealogy classes. She organized a book of general information and forms for beginning genealogists and, along with fellow Samuel Dale member Betty Compton, helped Bill Hughes establish the Genealogy Computer Class at Meridian Community College in 1992 the only such group in the state.
Since genealogy research is a vital part of becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Harrison has become an expert in recruiting new members and assisting them with their research. Since 1996, Harrison recruited and helped 11 daughters become members through genealogy research.
Also attending the ceremony were members of the Pushmataha Chapter, DAR, and family members. National President General Mrs. Dale Kelly Love initiated Harrison for the special pin and bar, but was unable to attend the ceremony.