Our Past Grand Masters
Alfred Wells Lassiter - 1934
Alfred Wells Lassiter was born July 28, 1880 near Murray, Kentucky, the son of Richard Rix and Harriet Anne Lassiter. He married Mabel Matilda Lewis at Humboldt, Tennessee on December 23, 1908 and they had two daughters. He was active in the Methodist ministry from 1911 until his retirement in 1951, having held pastorates at many points throughout the Memphis Conference during his 40 years in the ministry.
He was raised in Sulphur Well Lodge 215, in Henry County, Tennessee on January 18, 1908, and later held membership in Shelby Lodge 576, Dyer Lodge 351, Oakland Lodge 647, New Friendship Lodge 251, Ed Worsham Lodge 505, Grand Junction Lodge 709, Trenton Lodge 86 and O. K. Houck Lodge 707. He served as an officer in several of these Lodges, and was Worshipful Master of Oakland Lodge 647 in 1921-1922 and Grand Junction Lodge 709 in 1929.
He was exalted in Dyer Chapter 175 on March 9, 1917, and later held memberships in Goodwill 144, Brownsville 196, Saulsbury 153, parson 168, and Shiloh 198 at Humboldt. He served as High Priest at Brownsville in 1927. He received the Order of High Priesthood at Nashville on January 25, 1927, and served as its Grand President in 1934.
He was greeted in Fayette Council 188 at Somerville on October 27, 1920, and transferred his membership to Parsons 89 and then to Humboldt 100. He served as Thrice Illustrious Master 89 in 1934. He received the Thrice Illustrious Masters degree in the charter class at Nashville on January 29, 1940. He was knighted in Jackson Commandery 13 at Jackson on June 5, 1925.
He was elected a member of the Masonic Veterans Association on January 30, 1929, and served as its Chaplain from 1931 until March 26, 1958, when he was elected Chaplain emeritus. He received the Easter Star degrees in Louise Chapter 243 at Oakland on April 24, 1922. He served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Council in 1935, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945, and Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery in 1930-1931.
In the Grand Lodge he served as Grand Chaplain in 1928 and 1930, and was elected Junior Grand Warden on January 29, 1931, and advanced each year until February 1, 1934, when he was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Lassiter passed away at his home in Memphis on June 17, 1958. He was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery at Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, and the Grand Lodge was represented at the services by a number of past and present Grand Officers. A number of past and present Grand Officers of the other Masonic Grand Bodies were also in attendance.
He was raised in Sulphur Well Lodge 215, in Henry County, Tennessee on January 18, 1908, and later held membership in Shelby Lodge 576, Dyer Lodge 351, Oakland Lodge 647, New Friendship Lodge 251, Ed Worsham Lodge 505, Grand Junction Lodge 709, Trenton Lodge 86 and O. K. Houck Lodge 707. He served as an officer in several of these Lodges, and was Worshipful Master of Oakland Lodge 647 in 1921-1922 and Grand Junction Lodge 709 in 1929.
He was exalted in Dyer Chapter 175 on March 9, 1917, and later held memberships in Goodwill 144, Brownsville 196, Saulsbury 153, parson 168, and Shiloh 198 at Humboldt. He served as High Priest at Brownsville in 1927. He received the Order of High Priesthood at Nashville on January 25, 1927, and served as its Grand President in 1934.
He was greeted in Fayette Council 188 at Somerville on October 27, 1920, and transferred his membership to Parsons 89 and then to Humboldt 100. He served as Thrice Illustrious Master 89 in 1934. He received the Thrice Illustrious Masters degree in the charter class at Nashville on January 29, 1940. He was knighted in Jackson Commandery 13 at Jackson on June 5, 1925.
He was elected a member of the Masonic Veterans Association on January 30, 1929, and served as its Chaplain from 1931 until March 26, 1958, when he was elected Chaplain emeritus. He received the Easter Star degrees in Louise Chapter 243 at Oakland on April 24, 1922. He served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Council in 1935, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945, and Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery in 1930-1931.
In the Grand Lodge he served as Grand Chaplain in 1928 and 1930, and was elected Junior Grand Warden on January 29, 1931, and advanced each year until February 1, 1934, when he was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Lassiter passed away at his home in Memphis on June 17, 1958. He was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery at Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, and the Grand Lodge was represented at the services by a number of past and present Grand Officers. A number of past and present Grand Officers of the other Masonic Grand Bodies were also in attendance.
Wiley Odell May - 1960
Wiley Odell May was born in West Memphis, Arkansas on December 28, 1905, the son of Jacob Oscar May and Katy Gentry May. He was educated in the public schools of Memphis, Tennessee. He was married to Miss Wilma Hardwick at Memphis on September 12, 1924, and they had five children; Wiley O. Jr., William H., Wilma, Jon R., and Michael D.
May was President-Treasurer of Automatic Heating and Service Co. with headquarters in Memphis until his retirement in May of 1970. He was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church.
Brother May was raised in O. K. Houck Lodge 707 on May 20, 1929, served as Worshipful Master in 1934 and began serving as Secretary in 1938. He was exalted in Penn Chapter 22 on March 31, 1944, was instrumental in the organization of O. K. Houck Chapter in 1958 and served as its Secretary while it operated under dispensation, and became a charter member thereof on March 24, 1959. He was greeted in Eureka Council 6 on October 12, 1944 and was knighted in St. Elmo Commandery 15 on April 27, 1945.
He received the Scottish Rite degrees at Memphis in March 1930, was designated a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in October 1943 and was coroneted a 33° Honorary on October 21, 1949. He served as Wise Master of Calvary Chapter, Rose Croix, in 1948-49 and Venerable Master of the Memphis Lodge of Perfection and Personal Representative for the Valley of Memphis from 1969 until his death on November 7, 1991. He received the Grand Cross on October 18, 1979, the highest individual honor bestowed by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction.
May was initiated into Al Chymia Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., at Memphis on April 21, 1943. He was initiated into the Eastern Star in O. K. Houck Chapter 229 on November 25, 1933. He was a member and Past Sovereign of St. Stephen Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, and also served as Recorder. He was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland and of the Royal Order of Jesters. He was long active in the work of the Order of DeMolay and was the first Senior DeMolay to be elected Grand Master of Tennessee.
In the Grand Lodge he served as a member of the Committee on Dispensation and By-Laws from 1945 to 1954, a member of the Committee on Ways and Means from 1955 to 1957, he was elected Junior Grand Warden and advanced each year until March 24, 1960 he was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Wiley O. May died November 7, 1991 and was buried Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown at Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.
May was President-Treasurer of Automatic Heating and Service Co. with headquarters in Memphis until his retirement in May of 1970. He was a member of Bellevue Baptist Church.
Brother May was raised in O. K. Houck Lodge 707 on May 20, 1929, served as Worshipful Master in 1934 and began serving as Secretary in 1938. He was exalted in Penn Chapter 22 on March 31, 1944, was instrumental in the organization of O. K. Houck Chapter in 1958 and served as its Secretary while it operated under dispensation, and became a charter member thereof on March 24, 1959. He was greeted in Eureka Council 6 on October 12, 1944 and was knighted in St. Elmo Commandery 15 on April 27, 1945.
He received the Scottish Rite degrees at Memphis in March 1930, was designated a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in October 1943 and was coroneted a 33° Honorary on October 21, 1949. He served as Wise Master of Calvary Chapter, Rose Croix, in 1948-49 and Venerable Master of the Memphis Lodge of Perfection and Personal Representative for the Valley of Memphis from 1969 until his death on November 7, 1991. He received the Grand Cross on October 18, 1979, the highest individual honor bestowed by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction.
May was initiated into Al Chymia Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., at Memphis on April 21, 1943. He was initiated into the Eastern Star in O. K. Houck Chapter 229 on November 25, 1933. He was a member and Past Sovereign of St. Stephen Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, and also served as Recorder. He was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland and of the Royal Order of Jesters. He was long active in the work of the Order of DeMolay and was the first Senior DeMolay to be elected Grand Master of Tennessee.
In the Grand Lodge he served as a member of the Committee on Dispensation and By-Laws from 1945 to 1954, a member of the Committee on Ways and Means from 1955 to 1957, he was elected Junior Grand Warden and advanced each year until March 24, 1960 he was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Wiley O. May died November 7, 1991 and was buried Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown at Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.
James Emmit McDaniel - 1984
James Emmit McDaniel was born March 29, 1918 in Shelby County, Tennessee, the son of Emmit D. and Sally
Pearl (Ware) McDaniel. He was educated in the public school system of Memphis. He was married to Iris Marnette Joyner on April 20, 1941 in Memphis and they had one daughter, Joyce Ann. An Army veteran, he was also a Captain in the Army Reserves. He retired from Memphis Light, Gas and Water.
He was raised in Summer Avenue Lodge 729, Memphis, August 19, 1947 and served as Worshipful Master in 1954. He began serving as Secretary in 1961 and continued for 40+ years.
Companion McDaniel was exalted in Memphis Penn Chapter 22 on October 26, 1961. He was greeted in Eureka Council 6 on October 27, 1961. Sir Knight McDaniel was knighted in St. Elmo Commandery 15 on October 28, 1961.
Brother McDaniel received the Scottish Rite degrees in Memphis, on April 22, 1948, was awarded the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor on October 19, 1965 and was coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary on October 29, 1969. He served as Master of Kadosh in 1970-71 and started serving as Director of the Work beginning in 1971.
He received the ceremonies of the A.A.O.N.M.S. in Al Chymia Temple, in Memphis, May 5, 1948. He held the DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor and the Rainbow Grand Cross of Color.
In the Grand Lodge, Brother McDaniel was elected Junior Grand Warden, March 26, 1981 and advanced each year, being elected Most Worshipful Grand Master, March 29, 1984.
James E. McDaniel died November 7, 2015. A Masonic service was held Tuesday, November 10, 2015 with burial following in Memphis Memory Gardens at Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.
Pearl (Ware) McDaniel. He was educated in the public school system of Memphis. He was married to Iris Marnette Joyner on April 20, 1941 in Memphis and they had one daughter, Joyce Ann. An Army veteran, he was also a Captain in the Army Reserves. He retired from Memphis Light, Gas and Water.
He was raised in Summer Avenue Lodge 729, Memphis, August 19, 1947 and served as Worshipful Master in 1954. He began serving as Secretary in 1961 and continued for 40+ years.
Companion McDaniel was exalted in Memphis Penn Chapter 22 on October 26, 1961. He was greeted in Eureka Council 6 on October 27, 1961. Sir Knight McDaniel was knighted in St. Elmo Commandery 15 on October 28, 1961.
Brother McDaniel received the Scottish Rite degrees in Memphis, on April 22, 1948, was awarded the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor on October 19, 1965 and was coroneted a 33° Inspector General Honorary on October 29, 1969. He served as Master of Kadosh in 1970-71 and started serving as Director of the Work beginning in 1971.
He received the ceremonies of the A.A.O.N.M.S. in Al Chymia Temple, in Memphis, May 5, 1948. He held the DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor and the Rainbow Grand Cross of Color.
In the Grand Lodge, Brother McDaniel was elected Junior Grand Warden, March 26, 1981 and advanced each year, being elected Most Worshipful Grand Master, March 29, 1984.
James E. McDaniel died November 7, 2015. A Masonic service was held Tuesday, November 10, 2015 with burial following in Memphis Memory Gardens at Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee.
Jerry Lynn Hanson - 2008
Jerry Lynn Hanson was born to Frazer Douglas and Laverne Yarborough Hanson in Charleston, South Carolina on March 28, 1947. He was educated in the Carter County Public School System - Elizabethton, TN., University of Tennessee, and the University of Memphis. He is a retired Federal Aviation Air Traffic Control Supervisor of 39 years.Brother Hanson married Mary Dianna Sheely on April 19, 1980 and have four children, Timothy Christopher, Bradley Douglas, Amanda Michele, and Shelley Lynn Hanson. They also have one Grand Dog "Sparky". Brother Hanson and Mary are members of New Hope Christian Church in Bartlett, Tennessee.
Brother Hanson was raised a Master Mason on August 23, 1983 and served as Worshipful Master of Germantown Lodge #95 in 1985 thru 1989.Most Worshipful Brother Hanson was elected Junior Grand Warden on March 24, 2005, and advanced each year, being elected Most Worshipful Grand Master, Free and Accepted Masons of Tennessee on March 27, 2008.
Appendant Bodies:
Brother Hanson was raised a Master Mason on August 23, 1983 and served as Worshipful Master of Germantown Lodge #95 in 1985 thru 1989.Most Worshipful Brother Hanson was elected Junior Grand Warden on March 24, 2005, and advanced each year, being elected Most Worshipful Grand Master, Free and Accepted Masons of Tennessee on March 27, 2008.
Appendant Bodies:
- Past Master (Germantown #95 1985 thru 1989)
- Life Member #73, #211, #95
- Director of the Work - Scottish Rite - Life Member
- 33rd Inspector Honorary
- Al Chymia Shrine - Life Member - Hospital Staff
- Life Member Zaman Grotto
- Royal Order of Jesters
- Order of Quetzalcoatl
- Past High Priest #225-Life Member
- Past Illustrious Master #131-Life Member
- Past Commander #39 - Life Member
- Knights Templar Grand Commander's Club
- Order of Knight Commanders
- Order of High Priesthood
- TN Council of Anointed Kings - Order of the Silver Trowel
- International DeMolay Alumni Association
- Life Member Emerald Isle #346 Allied Masonic Degrees
- Life Member Knights of the York Cross of Honor
- Life Member Tralee Council #41 Knight Masons USA
- Masonic Societas Rosiccuciana in Civitatibus Foederatis
- Quator Coronati Lodge #2076
- Red Cross of Constantine
- Tennessee Lodge of Research
- Scottish Rite Research Society
- Tall Cedars of Lebanon
- Life Member - West Tenn. York Rite College #141
- West TN Past Masters Association
- Royal Order of Fleas and Yellow Dog (Ruff-Ruff-Ruff)