Jerry M. Underwood, PGM 1998 – 1999

Brother Underwood was born October 21, 1946, in Etowah Co., Alabama to Harold Wesley and Annie Katherine Gilbert Underwood. He was reared in and around Hokes Bluff and Gadsden, Alabama and attended public schools in those cities. Bro. Underwood entered Civil Service with the Department of the Army at the Anniston Army Depot in September, 1966. He furthered his education with the Dept. of the Army and held numerous and varied positions during his career. Over half of his career was spent in various levels of management. Bro. Underwood took voluntary early retirement as a Production Management Specialist November 2, 1995, and was elected into the Alabama Grand Lodge line just 14 days later. For many years he and his wife Linda have been active members of Lakeview Baptist Church in Southside, Alabama, where they presently reside. They have two sons, Perry and Allen. Allen is married and he and his wife Dawn presented the Underwood’s with their first grandchild, Jerry Naylor in June of 1998.

Bro. Underwood began his Masonic career by petitioning Glencoe Masonic Lodge #846 at Glencoe, Alabama, in July, 1974 and was raised a Master Mason on 26 August 1974. He served his lodge as Worshipful Master in June of 1976 and as Secretary from June 1992 until June 1998. His first Grand Lodge appointment was Assistant District Lecturer of District 8a in November, 1976. Since that time he served as Grand Lodge lecturer for five years. He served on the Grand Lodge Committee on Work for seven years and as Chairman of that Committee in 1993. He was appointed a member of the Grand Lodge Entertainment Committee in 1985. He served the Grand Lodge as Senior Grand Deacon in 1979-80 and as Grand Marshall in 1983-84. Bro. Underwood was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Alabama in November, 1995 and progressed through the Grand Line to the honor of being chosen by his peers to serve as Grand Master of Masons for the State of Alabama in November 1998.

Bro. Underwood has been a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Birmingham, Alabama since May of 1977. He became a member of the York Rite Bodies in Gadsden, Alabama in April 1986. He is also a charter member of the Emrys W. John York Rite College #179 of Birmingham, Alabama. He became a member of Zamora Shrine Temple in Birmingham, Alabama in June, 1981, and belongs to the Knights of Mecca Unit.

Bro. Underwood holds membership in the Past Masters Club, The Square and Compass Club of Etowah County Alabama. He is presently serving as Associate Patron of Glencoe Chapter #466 Order of the Eastern Star. He also holds membership in the Philalethes Society, the National Sojourners, Inc. Chapter #365 and Southern California Research Lodge #1005.

Bro. Underwood holds the honor of being unanimously elected by the 63 Grand Masters of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America to serve as Chairman of that august body in 1999. The Grand Masters of North America elected him to this position at the 1998 Conference held in Philadelphia, PA.

Steve Brownfield, PGM 1997-1998

Steve J. Brownfield, was born near Scottsboro, Alabama on September 28, 1952, to Luther and Ruth Brownfield. He graduated from Stevenson High School in May, 1971, and married his high-school sweetheart, Sharon, in June, 1972. They have resided in Stevenson, Alabama since their marriage, and they have two daughters, Nicole, a sophomore at the University of Alabama at Huntsville, and Stephanie, a freshman at Northeast State Junior College.

Steve’s recreational interest include golfing, boating, and motorcycling. Although his busy schedule does not permit much time for recreation, he occasionally manages to “squeeze in” eighteen holes at one of the nearby golf courses and to participate in local charity golf tournaments. His great love, other than Masonry, is the Honda GL 1500 Gold Wing SE which he enjoys riding during the warm weather months.

Steve worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority and for ALFA Insurance Company before opening his own business, U.S. Industries, Inc., in 1991. His company provides services
to textile companies throughout the Southeast.

Steve began his Masonic career when he was initiated on November 4, 1976. He was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft on December 3, 1976. Shortly thereafter, on December 17, 1976, he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. He is a perpetual life member of Bolivar Lodge No. 127 in Stevenson, AL, and Walter R. Bogart Lodge No. 882 in Hollywood, AL. He received his certificate of proficiency in 1977 and was elected Worshipful Master of Bolivar Lodge in 1979.

He is a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Huntsville, the Cahaba Shrine Temple, York Rite, and OES Chapter No. 435. Steve holds membership in the Dekalb-Jackson Square and Compass Club and the Northwest Alabama Proficiency Club.

His appointed positions have included serving for two years on the By-laws Committee, twelve years as the Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, seven years as District Lecturer, five years on the Committee on Work, and one year as the Chairman of the Committee on Work. Steve was elected Junior Grand Warden in November, 1994, Senior Grand Warden in November, 1995 and Deputy Grand Master in November, 1996. On November 19, 1997 he was elected to the station of Most Worshipful Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Alabama.

Our Grand Master is an honorary member of Littleville Lodge No. 881. He has also been given honorary membership in the Grand Lodges of Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He is an honorary life member of the National Sojourners, and he holds the degree of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor in the Scottish Rite.

The Most Worshipful Grand Master has been an energetic leader in the fraternity for many years. Under his leadership, many urgent and complex tasks have been accomplished by the fraternity. These accomplishments are a source of great pride to Steve, but he realizes, as do we all, that there is much more work to accomplish as the fraternity approaches the new millennium.
[EXCERPT FROM THE GL OF AL PROCEDINGS]

Larry W. Wortham, PGM 1995-1996

Brother Larry W. Wortham was born in Roanoke, Alabama, in Randolph County on, April 9, 1951. He is the son of L. C. and Barnese Wortham. He finished school at Randolph Co. High School in 1969. He married Diane Moore on June 6, 1969. They have two sons, Wesley Wortham of Wedowee and Daniel Wortham of Wedowee; one granddaughter, Morgan Lasha Wortham. Brother Wortham is a member of Iduma Congregational Methodist Church, where he serves as Secretary and Treasurer.

Brother Wortham was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1976. He served as Master of Sawyer Lodge No. 93 for two terms. He served as Assistant District Lecturer, District 11, for one year and was then appointed District Lecturer. He continued as District Lecturer until his appointed to Committee on Work for Group 4. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1992 and progressed through the Grand Line to serve as Grand Master 1995-1996.

He is employed with Benefield Funeral Home in Wedowee, Alabama.

Willard Ray Fuller, PGM 1993-1994

Brother Willard Ray Fuller was born January 20, 1940 to the Rev. Percy Smith and Mary Essie Fuller. Brother Fuller attended DeKalb County Public School and was graduated in 1957. He continued his education at Snead State Junior College and later attended the Technical School of Alamance where he received a degree in Industrial Supervision. He is married to the former Nancy Privett of Stevenson. They have three children; Brent, Patrick and Heather; and two Grandchildren, Chad and Corey. Willard and Nancy are members of The First Baptist Church of Fyffe.

Brother Fuller was Initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason March 27,1979; passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft April 10, 1979; and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason May 30, 1979.

He received the Grand Lodge Proficiency Certificate in 1981 and was appointed Assistant District Lecturer by Grand Master Hermon Taylor in 1982. Brother Fuller served the Office of Senior Grand Deacon in 1983 under Grand Master Jack Smith. Appointed to the Committee on Work in 1984 by Grand Master Harris Henderson, he served as a member of that committee until 1989, at which time he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Work by Grand Master David L. Shirey. Elected to the Office of Junior Grand Warden in November 1990, he has progressed through the Offices of Senior Grand Warden and Deputy Grand Master. On November 17, 1993 Brother Fuller was elected to the Office of Grand Master of Masons of the State of Alabama.

Most Worshipful Brother Fuller is employed by Kappler USA in Rainsville, Alabama.

Robert L. Jones, PGM 1992-1993

Robert L. Jones, the son of Claude and Dessie Jones, was born August 11, 1928, in Franklin County, Alabama. He attended the Franklin County and Russellville City Schools. Following his Graduation from Russellville High School in 1948, Brother Jones joined the United Sates Navy. Honorably discharged from the Navy, he began a career in Public Works. Brother Jones served twelve years with the Gas Board of Russellville, six years with the Electric Board and was employed by Ford Motor Company at the time of his retirement in 1989. He served on the City Council of Russellville for seven years, during which time he completed a course in City Management from the University of Alabama.

Robert was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Russellville Lodge No. 371 in October 1970 and has served his Lodge as Worshipful Master two years. Distinguishing himself as District Lecturer of District Number 4 for four years, he later served on the Grand Lodge Committee on Work for six years, one of which he served as Chairman.

Elected to the office of Junior Grand Warden in November 1989, he has progressed through the line to his present office of Grand Master of Masons, a York Rite Mason, a Scottish Rite Mason-KCCH, and a Shriner.

He met, courted and married Miss Cassie McCarley in 1950. Robert and Cassie have one Son, one Daughter and seven Grandchildren. An active member of North Russellville Baptist Church, Robert has served on the Board of Deacons for thirty-one years and is presently their Chairman.

Robert is truly a man who has served his Country, his Community, his Family, his God and his Masonry.

Warren Malcolm Killingsworth, PGM 1991-1992

Brother Warren Malcolm Killingsworth was born in Dothan, Alabama May 24, 1930, the second of three sons, to Philip B. and Martha Choran Killingsworth. He attended public schools in Dothan and graduated in 1948. Malcolm was married to Helen Lewis January 12, 1951.

Corporal Warren M. Killingsworth was activated with the 31st Infantry Division January 16, 1951 and was honorably discharged from the United States Army September 9, 1952. He was employed by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Oct. 24, 1950 as a yard switchman and retired from CSX Transportation as a yard foreman May 29, 1991.

The following is a list of his Masonic affiliations and dates:
Initiated in Pythagoras Lodge No. 659 by Wayne Millholland, Feb. 23, 1971. Passed in Pythagoras Lodge No. 659 by Aubrey Earl Simpler, March 9, 1971. Raised in Pythagoras Lodge
No. 659 by Hermon Taylor, March 23, 1971. Recited Master Mason proficiency April 13, 1971.  Received York Rite degrees in Jackson St. Temple Montgomery, Aug. 28, 1971. Initiated into
Alcazar Shrine Temple, Phenix City, Sept. 4, 1971. Received 4th thru 32° AASR Dothan, March 5, 1972. High Priest Dothan Chapter No. 113 R.A.M., 1974-75. Charter Member Alabama York
Rite College No. 51, 1974. Anointed High Priesthood, Feb 24, 1975. Venerable Master Dothan Lodge of Perfection, 1975. Illustrious Master Dothan Council No. 68, R.&S.M., 1975-76. Order of The Silver Trowel, Feb. 23, 1976. Eminent Commander Dothan Commandery No. 25 Knights Templar, 1976-77. Wise Master Dothan Chapter of Rose Croix, 1976. District Lecturer 28th District, Nov. 17, 1976 to Nov. 21, 1979. Master of Kadosh Dothan Consistory, 1977. Worshipful Master Pythagoras Lodge No. 659, 1977-78. Royal Order Of Scotland in New Orleans, LA, Oct. 1, 1977. Investiture of Knight Commander Court of Honor Dothan, Dec. 10, 1977. Commander Dothan Council of Kadosh AASR, 1978. Knight Crusader Of The Cross, Feb. 25, 1980. Knight of The York Cross of Honour in Woodland Temple, July 12, 1980. Member, Templar Jurisprudence Committee, Grand Commandery, 1979-80. Member Committee On Work Grand Lodge Of Alabama, Nov. 21, 1979 to Nov. 23, 1988. Chairman Committee On Work 1981-82. Chairman Committee On Work, Grand York Rite Bodies of AL 1983-84. Coroneted 33° AASR in Birmingham, AL, Dec. 10, 1983. Red Cross of Constantine, St. Bernard Conclave, Mobile, Jan. 4, 1986. Grand Master of The First Veil, Grand: Chapter R.A.M., Feb. 23, 1987. Currently serving as Grand Captain of The Host, Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Alabama. Received degrees in Vulcan Chapter No. 22 Knight Masons, Mobile, Nov. 12, 1988. Elected Junior Grand Warden—Grand Lodge Of Alabama, Nov. 23, 1988. Elected Senior Grand Warden—Grand Lodge of Alabama, Nov. 22, 1989. Elected Deputy Grand Master—Grand Lodge Of Alabama, Nov. 21, 1990. Elected Grand Master Of Masons in Alabama, Nov. 20, 1991.

Malcolm and Helen attend Piney Grove United Methodist Church where he is currently serving on the Board of Trustees.

E. Wayne Lucas, PGM 1990-1991

At the closing session of the 170th Annual Communication of the M.W. Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of Alabama on November 21, 1990 Brother E. Wayne Lucas was elevated to the highest office Masonry can bestow upon a brother, that of Grand Master of Masons of Alabama.

Brother Lucas was born in Shelby County Alabama on July 3, 1944, the son of James T. and Sarah H. Lucas. He was educated in the Shelby County Public School System. He graduated from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama in 1963. He furthered his education by attending the University of Montevallo and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Brother Lucas began his start in Masonry when he was initiated an Entered Apprentice on July 23, 1968, Passed to the degree of Fellowcraft, August 13, 1968, and Raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on September 10, 1968 in Corinthian Lodge No. 462, Alabaster, Alabama. He went on to serve his Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1973-1974. Also served as Secretary for seven years. He received his Grand Lodge Certificate of Proficiency on August 24, 1973. In 1977 he was appointed District Lecturer by M.W. Brother Robert C. Coley in District No. 24, and in 1978 Assistant District Lecturer of District No. 12, by M.W. Brother G. S. Borden, where he served until November 1980 when he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Work by M.W. Brother James F. Glasgow. Following this year he returned to serve as Lecturer until he was Elected Junior Grand Warden in 1987.

Brother Lucas is a member of Birmingham Scottish Rite, Birmingham Metro York Rite, Zamora Shrine Temple, Knights of Mecca Shrine Unit, Alabaster Chapter No. 476 O.E.S. and Court No. 1 Order of the Amaranth at Birmingham. He holds Honorary memberships in Hueytown Lodge No. 843 and the Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of Florida. He is also Grand Representative of Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Florida.

He is a member of Elliottsville Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he is an Ordained Elder, and has served as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member and Youth Director.

He also served 12 years as an elected City Council Member for his home town of Alabaster.

Brother Lucas is married to Gloria Willis Lucas of Columbiana, Alabama and has two sons, Michael and Jason, and one daughter Kristy. He has worked for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department for the past seventeen years. Gloria is Deputy Clerk for the Shelby County Commission.

J. C. Brady, PGM 1989-1990

Brother Brady was born May 4, 1919 in Randolph County, Alabama. He was graduated from Randolph County High School in 1937. He served in the Field Artillery of the U.S. Army and is a member of the American Legion. After 39 years service as a Chief Inspector in Quality Control he was retired from Allied Chemical and Celotex Corporation.

Brother Brady is married to Retha Nix Brady and is the father of three sons and one daughter.

He is Methodist and holds membership in the following: Fairfield Masonic, Past Master; Birmingham Metro York Rite and K.Y.C.H.; Valley of Birmingham Scottish Rite and K.C.C.H; Fairfield Scottish Rite Club, Past President; Past Patron, Belle Ash Chapter O.E.S.; Past President, Fairfield Lions Club; member Red Cross of Constantine; White Shrine of Jerusalem; Knight Masons, and Zamora Shrine Temple.

Brother Brady is a faithful and energetic worker in Masonry and is destined to be an Outstanding leader of the Craft.

David L. Shirey, PGM 1988-1989

Brother Shirey began his Masonic career by being initiated in Fyffe Lodge #697 on May 11, 1979, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on May 25, 1979 and raised to the degree of Master Mason on May 31, 1979. He received his Certificate of Proficiency on the Ritual in March, 1981. He served his Lodge as Master during the 1981-82 Masonic year. He began serving the Grand Lodge when he was appointed Assistant District Lecturer of District #7 in 1981. He served as District Lecturer in 1982 and was appointed as a member of the Committee on Work the same year. In 1983 Brother Shirey served as Chairman of the Committee on Work. In 1984 he was appointed again to the Committee on Work for Group 1. In November 1985 Brother Shirey was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Alabama and has advanced through the Grand Lodge Chairs to be elected Most Worshipful Grand Master at the November 1988 Grand Lodge Session.

Brother Shirey is a member of the Huntsville Scottish Rite Bodies, the DeKalb-Jackson York Rite Bodies, Cahaba Shrine Temple, Royal Order of Scotland, Rainsville Chapter Order of Eastern Star, and the DeKalb-Jackson Square and Compass Club.

Brother Shirey was born the son of Cecil G. Shirey and Lillie Mitchell Shirey on September 13, 1948 in DeKalb County, Alabama. He attended public schools in DeKalb County and graduated from Plainview High School in 1966. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy from 1967 to 1970. After fulfilling his military obligation he returned to Alabama and began his college studies at Northeast State where he graduated with honors.

Brother Shirey and his wife, the former Carolyn Sue Hays of Rainsville, are the parents of a daughter, Christa. They reside in Rainsville, where Brother Shirey is employed as Vice President of Manufacturing of Grenoble Mills, Inc. His wife Sue is a computer operator with Farmers Telephone Cooperative in Rainsville.

Floyd Hambrick, Jr., PGM 1987-1988

At the final session of the 167th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alabama, Brother Floyd Hambrick, Jr. was installed as Grand Master, on Wednesday, November 18, 1987.

Brother Hambrick is a member of Scottsboro Lodge No. 359, Scottsboro, Alabama. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice September 22, 1962 in Holly Grove Lodge No. 323, Princeton, Alabama, and was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, October 13/1962. He served as Worshipful Master of Holly Grove Lodge No. 323 in 1966 and 1967. After serving in the U.S. Army, he transferred to Scottsboro Lodge No. 359, Scottsboro, Alabama, June 12, 1971. He received his Grand Lodge Certificate of Proficiency in 1971 and was appointed District Lecturer by Grand Master Wilbur O. Harden in 1977. He was appointed to serve as a member of the Committee on Work by Grand Master James F. Glasgow and served as Chairman of the Committee in 1982.

Brother Hambrick is a member of the North West Alabama Proficiency Club; Valley of Huntsville Scottish Rite Bodies and is a 32° KCCH; Fort Payne York Rite Bodies; Jackson County Shrine Club; Noble of Cahaba Shrine Temple, where he served as Chairman of the Blue Lodge Degree Team; a member of Scottsboro Chapter No. 202, Order of the Eastern Star, Jackson and DeKalb Square and Compass Club as Secretary; and Chairman of DeMolay Advisory Council, Jackson County Chapter.

He is married to the former Carmen Janice Haney, of Valley Head, Alabama. They have four children and three grand children, and presently resides at Route 2, Section, Alabama. A native of Jackson County, he was born October 4, 1940, at Trenton, Alabama. He attended Jackson County Schools and graduated in 1959 from Princeton High School, Princeton, Alabama. He is currently employed at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.