Jennings is called the "Cradle of Louisiana Oil" and is located in Jefferson Davis Parish in the "Fleur de Lis State of Louisiana," also called the "Bayou State," Sportsman's Paradise," "Pelican State." The community was named for Jennings McComb, railroad engineer.

Live Oak Chapter's first official meeting was held April 16, 1980 at the home of Mrs. W. B. Donald, Jr., in Jennings.

During the noon hour, the organizing regent, Mrs. W.T. Cagnon, Jr., contacted the National DAR Assembly in Washington, D.C. She was informed that Live Oak Chapter was officially a chapter of DAR and that there were 15 acceptable members. Attakapas Chapter of Franklin was the sponsoring chapter. Mrs. Wallace A. LaFleur was the organizing secretary who installed the new officers.

The first officers were Mrs. W.T. Cagnon, Jr., regent; Mrs. H. Lisso Lawrence, vice regent; Mrs. Gilbert A. Lyon, Jr., secretary; Mrs. Pat Vinson-Hoffpauir, treasurer and Mrs. William K. Tuthill, registrar. Members who have served as chapter regents are Elizabeth Cagnon, Gail Fusilier, Mary Sue Lyon, Gwen McMillin, Mona Clay and current regent, Melba Bagwell.

The name "Live Oak" is very symbolic, a tree for all seasons, withstands many storms, a thing of beauty, strength, and gracefulness. This remains the goal of Live Oak Chapter, that through the years the chapter may withstand all the storms and troubles that are encountered and will be strong, as all strive to serve "God, Home, and Country."

I Saw in Louisiana a Live-Oak Growing

by Walt Whitman

I saw in Louisiana a live-oak growing, All alone stood it and the moss hung down from the branches, Without any companion it grew there uttering joyous leaves of dark green, And its look, rude, unbending, lusty, made me think of myself, But I wondered how it could utter joyous leaves standing alone there without its friend near, for I knew I could not, And I broke off a twig with a certain number of leaves upon it, and twined around it a little moss, And brought it away, and I have placed it in sight, in my room, It is not needed to remind me as of my own dear friends, (For I believe lately I think of little else than of them,) Yet it remains to me a curious token, it makes me think of manly love; For all that, and though the live-oak glistens there in Louisiana solitary in a wide flat space, Uttering joyous leaves all its life without a friend a lover near, I know very well I could not.

 

The Live Oak Society

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