Spotlight
Jenny Lind Pettys Scholarship
The Jenny Lind Pettys Scholarship Program was created in 1978 in honor of
the wife of the late Norman Pettys, Past Executive Officer in the Jurisdiction of Georgia.
Mom Pettys was very active in Georgia DeMolay and was very dedicated to helping active
DeMolays continue their education beyond high school.
Over 70 $250 JLP Scholarships
have been given out over the years to assist active DeMolay with the financial
obligations of college or technical school. The funds for the scholarship program
are from fundraising on the part of the State Parents Club, as well as many local
chapter donations and private donations. These donations are tax deductible and can
be made in honor/memory of a loved one.
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Left to right: Mom Jenny Lind Pettys, Dad Norman W. Pettys, Mom Marcia Lance
The History of the Jenny Lind Pettys Scholarship
The Jenny Lind Pettys Scholarship was proposed at the State Mothers’ Club Meeting in Macon
on November 19, 1978 (probably by Joyce Boyd). The proposal stated that a Scholarship Fund be
started for the purpose of aiding qualified active DeMolays to further their education on the
college level at a school of their choice: university, vocational or technical in nature. This
fund was at the same time to honor Jenny Lind Pettys, wife of Dad Norman W. Pettys, then Executive
Officer for the Jurisdiction of Georgia Order of DeMolay, in recognition of her personal
sacrifice, her love and support of Georgia DeMolay and the Mothers’ Clubs as well as to Dad
Pettys who served as Executive Officer for 18 years. The proposal was passed unanimously.
The idea was borrowed from the Texas DeMolay Mothers Auxiliary. A committee chaired by
Marie Thompson of Thomas G. Bankston DeMolay Chapter in Americus developed the governing
rules. Other members of the committee were Marcia Lance of Clayton Chapter, Liz Irby of
Perry Chapter, and Anita Paugh of Augusta Chapter. Both Joyce, Marie and Marcia were Past
Presidents of the State Mothers’ Club. It is currently unknown as to whether Liz and Anita
served in that capacity but they were certainly instrumental in establishing the JLP
Scholarship Fund governing rules. Enthusiasm for the project resulted in early donations
of $500. The first scholarships were awarded at the 1979 Conclave to Ronnie Curl and Charles
Brookshire. Ronnie was State Master Councilor at the time.
The legacy we leave behind in this life is, in my humble opinion, a little bit of our
individual immortality. The truth we impart and the efforts we make to equip our young
people to cope in life in an honorable way is a legacy of which to be proud. Education
is a part of that legacy. Education can be shared but never taken away, for the owner and
one cannot help sharing education once it is gained. It is impossible to keep it all to
yourself. Therefore, education is much like a family tree – it grows and spreads. I am
encouraging each Parents’ Club as well as individuals throughout the state to join in
the effort to raise funds for the JLP Scholarship Fund to honor both Mom and Dad
Pettys – two wonderful people whose contribution was so great that it can never be
measured or adequately described. Wherever they are today, I know they would smile and
thank every contributor whether it be individual or group. Your gift also builds your own
legacy and immortality by passing on education to our young men.
For DeMolay,
Mom Marcia Lance
Past President, Clayton Chapter Mothers’ Club
Past President, State Mothers’ Club
Past Director, State Mothers’ Club
Past Chairman, JLP Scholarship Fund
Article Credit: Debbie Griggers, Marcia Lance, and Rhonda Povlot
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