The Rio Medio Chapter of Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) recently conducted a memorial marker ceremony to commemorate the placement of a DRT memorial medallion on the headstone of Gail Irby Blackmon.

On the morning of May 19, DRT members and associate members met at Glenwood Cemetery in Beeville for a ceremony at the gravesite of Mrs. Blackmon, a charter member of the Rio Medio Chapter of DRT. She served as president of the chapter from 1989-1991.

Sandra Jones, DRT Rio Medio Chapter president, opened the ceremony by welcoming family and friends. Chaplain Ann Chambless led the attendees in The Lord’s Prayer, and then invited comments and tributes from family members and friends. Several family members and numerous friends from the group of 25 expressed their love and admiration for their mother and friend.

Family members in attendance included Blackmon’s sons, David Blackmon of Houston and Robert Blackmon of West Hollywood, Calif.; daughters, Ruth Lippard of Kerrville and Abigail Orchard of Pflugerville; and other extended family members.

The DRT is one of the oldest patriotic women’s organizations in the country composed of women who are direct descendants of the men and women who established the Republic of Texas. The objective of the association is to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas and to encourage historical research into the earliest records of Texas.

Preceding the memorial marker dedication ceremony, DRT members met for their regular business meeting. President Jones installed Ann Chambless as president for 2009-2011 and announced that other officers will be Sandra Jones, first vice president; Mary Ellen Thoms, secretary; and Myrtle Bocquet, treasurer.