Tennessee Society Order of Confederate Rose

Order of the Black Rose

A History of the Order

At the 1998 NC OCR convention in Charlotte, the "Society of the Black Rose" was approved by the members as a part of the state organization.

The goal of the founder Yvonne Brown was to organize a statewide network to help with memorial services, to enlighten the men and ladies to proper persona and to offer services or assist with services locally and statewide and services in other states by invitation. The structure was setup to have a "Keeper of the Rite" who would serve as a contact person and keeper of the services that can be adopted to help the SCV or anyone honoring a Confederate or a Confederate Memorial in their region. She would have a list of the members phone numbers. She would make calls when widows were needed and could be divided into East and West divided regions.

The Black Rose was named in honor of the greatest widow in the Confederacy who risked her personal safety for the Confederate Cause and lost her life trying to help the The Cause, Rose O'Neal Greenhow.

The Society of the Black Rose is a volunteer order to perpetuate the persona of a War Between the States widow at SCV functions, memorial services, grave dedications, etc. It is open to any dues paying member of the Order of Confederate Rose (no additional dues required). This includes women, men and children. There are now Black Rose Societies in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, and Louisiana with other states in the process of organizing. There is a need for this group and the service we can offer. The Black Rose can assist locally as small groups with memorial services or programs, and with other states for special services.

Requirements for Membership in the Society of the Black Rose

* A Black Rose member must be a member of the OCR in your state (either a chapter member or Member-at-Large) to join.

* Members must have a complete period mourning outfit (period appropriate partial mourning is also acceptable).

* There is no membership fee.

Guidelines for the Society of the Black Rose

* Member will receive a membership certificate to the Society of the Black Rose.

* The Society will act under your state society with a coordinator "Keeper of the Rite" as a contact person, when SCV, MOSB, or others have need of mourners for dedications and memorial services.

* The original Society of the Black Rose was formed in North Carolina and now in South Carolina,Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana and more state societies are organizing all the time.

* We now have our own Order of the Black Rose Membership Pin (for all states to use). If you wish to purchase fill out the application above (even if you are a member) so we may have an up dated information. Suzy or Yvonne will have pins at this convention and they are $15.00 each.