Grand Master

It was like a dream when it was first hinted that our small community would have among its fellows the Grand Master of the Great State of Kentucky. To have known Brother George Bibb all these years and be chosen to write these simple words about him is very humbling and yet very gratifying. "Down to earth; never too big to know, never too little to help" is a motto used by many banks, yet it is so true with Brother Bibb. When the purple of our fraternity was placed upon his shoulders, it was never so confining that he could not feel well dressed with the common covering of our degree and it is so obvious when you are in his company. Faithfulness to the lodge and to the brethren is foremost in his heart and mind. What an example he has set for those who would follow, but isn't that what a Mason is supposed to be? An example; strong in character; well placed in the building; to add to the whole; waiting for the Stone which was rejected to be placed at the corner. Certainly, George, your lovely wife, Shirley, ever the gracious hostess, and your charming daughters, always expressing true friendliness, have enhanced your life as well as ours. You deserve the flowers, now for the facts. Grand Master J. George Bibb was born in Louisville, Kentucky April 22,1940. He is the son of Jesse E. Bibb and Mary Elizabeth (Addams) Bibb and is the only child. Brother Bibb was educated in Louisville at Portland Christian School during the first ten years of his education. After the death of his mother at age fourteen, Brother Bibb and his father moved to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky where he graduated in 1958 from Benham High School in Benham, Kentucky. He furthered his education by attending Southeast Christian College in Winchester, Kentucky. Grantham School of Electronics also provided knowledge in the field of broadcast electronics. On July 29, 1959, Brother Bibb married Shirley E. Estes in Jonesboro, Virginia and later became the proud parents of three girls; Paula Elizabeth Stevens of Lexington, Kentucky and twins Sandra D. Bibb of Wise, Virginia and Susan D. Burton of Partridge, Kentucky. They have two grandsons, Michael and Brandon Burton. Brother Bibb has been an active member of the Churches of Christ in the Louisville area since his youth. He has for many years been a member of the Christian Church of Cumberland, Kentucky where he has served as an Elder for several years. Brother Bibb is the President/Owner of WCPM-AM and WSEH-FM in Cumberland, Kentucky where he began his career in 1957. He has also worked at WWKY-AM formerly in Winchester, Kentucky as well as WNVLAM in Nicholasville, Kentucky, but always returning to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky which he has considered as home having developed, at an early age, a love for the mountains and its people. MASONIC RECORD OF JESSE GEORGE BIBB Fields Lodge No. 832 Brother Bibb was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on November 26, 1977, passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft January 28, 1978, and raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason on February 25,1978. He was elected to serve as Master in 1981. Grand Lodge of Kentucky F.& A.M. Brother Bibb served the Grand Lodge of Kentucky as follows: Assistant Grand Tiler 1985-1986 District Deputy Grand Master of District Forty 1987-1988 Committee on Masonic Education 1990-1991 Convened a Task Force on Masonic Renewal for Grand Master William G. Hinton 1992 Grand Representative Occidental De Columbia, South America 1993 Director of the Masonic Homes in Kentucky beginning in 1991, through the merger of the Homes, and continuing through 1995 Grand Junior Warden 1991-1992 Grand Senior Warden 1992-1993 Deputy Grand Master 1993-1994 Grand Master 1994-1995 Scottish Rite Life member of Indra Consistory, Covington, Kentucky where he received the Thirty Second Degree in November, 1990 Royal Order of Scotland August, 1992 York Rite Royal Arch Mason June, 1979 in Benham Chapter 170, Benham, Kentucky. Served as High Priest 1984-1985 Royal and Select Master, October, 1982 in Harlan Council 91, Harlan, Kentucky. Served as Illustrious Master 1987-1988 Received the Super Excellent Master degree January, 1987 Commandery Knights Templar November, 1982 in Duffield Commandery 42, Harlan, Kentucky. Served as Commander 1986 Holy Order of High Priesthood Order of the Silver Trowel Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor September, 1986 Charter Member Highland York Rite College 134 1988 Knight of the York Cross of Honour, Kentucky Priory 25, September, 1992 Grand York Rite Bodies of Kentucky R.A.M. Deputy Grand High Priest area 8-B 1990-1991 • R.&S.M. representative of the Grand Council of New York near the Grand Council of Kentucky March, 1993 • Kt. Templar Committee on Credentials 1990-1991 Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine • Oleika Temple, Lexington, Kentucky September 1985 • Oleika Past Masters Unit • Harlan County Shrine Club Other Masonic Affiliations • Life Membership Society of Past Masters of Central Kentucky January 1991 • National Sojourners, Daniel Boone Chapter 512, by virtue of office 1992 • Grand Council of Kentucky, Honorary Degree of "Ish-Sodi" September, 1993 • Proudly holds Honorary Memberships in a number of lodges in Kentucky Brother Bibb has always been active in his community. He is a Past President and Secretary of the former Tri-City Jaycees, a member of the Lions Club, a present member of the Board of Directors of the Tri-City Chamber of Commerce and was twice president of the Board of Cumberland Housing Authority of Cumberland, Kentucky. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Camp Blanton Trust, Inc. which is a former Boy Scout/ 4-H camp which is now used for many local youth activities. He has served the City of Cumberland on many committees through the years and is a Kentucky Colonel. The poet has said, "If there's a heaven upon the earth, a fellow knows it when he's been away from home a week, then gets back again." Welcome back, George. We think we know a little of what its been like on your travels. So, get all your ducks in a row and come on home. Thanks for a job well done.