This is on the MacPeek Raub grave
This is more specifically symbolic of a Past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. OES is the female counterpart to the freemasons. The center letters "FATAL" refers to a double meaning of an oath taken by a member when a degree is bestowed on her: the first the word Fatal -- it would be fatal to the character of a lady if she disclosed any of the secrets of the order, the other is an acronym for Fairest Among Ten-thousand Altogether Lovely.
"Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography"Keister, Douglas. 2004. Gibbs Smith, Pub. PP 194-95.
This is more specifically symbolic of a Past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. OES is the female counterpart to the freemasons. The center letters "FATAL" refers to a double meaning of an oath taken by a member when a degree is bestowed on her: the first the word Fatal -- it would be fatal to the character of a lady if she disclosed any of the secrets of the order, the other is an acronym for Fairest Among Ten-thousand Altogether Lovely.
"Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography"Keister, Douglas. 2004. Gibbs Smith, Pub. PP 194-95.