Marvin Eugene Leachman, PGM 1986-1987

Marvin Eugene Leachman, more popularly known as “Cotton”, was born in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, on February 15, 1928, the son of our late Brother James Fredrick and Ollie Mae Leachman. He was educated in the Birmingham Public Schools and later moved to Prichard, Alabama. In February, 1983, after more than thirty years of service with the Prichard Fire Department, he retired with the rank of Captain. He is, currently, self-employed as a painting and house-washing contractor. In July, 1946, Brother “Cotton” was married to the former Earline Goins, and they are the parents of five children and eight grandchildren. At the present time, they reside in the Eight Mile community and are very active in the Shady Pines Baptist Church of Whistler. He serves the Church as its Minister of Music.Brother Leachman began his Masonic career in Bowen Lodge No. 240, a little more than thirty years ago. He was initiated an Entered Apprentice on August 16, 1956; passed to the Degree

of Fellowcraft on August 30, 1956; and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on September 20, 1956. He served Bowen Lodge as its Worshipful Master in 1961-1962, and has continually served as Secretary from 1964 to the present time.Brother “Cotton” received the Grand Lodge Certificate of Proficiency in 1958, and began his service to the Grand Lodge in 1962, when Grand Master Penson R. Graham appointed him as Assistant District Lecturer in District 32. After further years’ service as District Lecturer in District 32 and Member of the Committee on Suspensions, Expulsions and Appeals, he was appointed as Group 7 Member of the Committee on Work in November, 1975, and served continuously on that Committee until his election as Junior Grand Warden in November, 1983. He served as Chairman of the Committee on Work in 1977-1978.

Brother Leachman was regularly advanced through the Grand Lodge Line and, on November 19, 1986, was elevated to the exalted office of Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Alabama.

Brother Leachman received the Scottish Rite Degrees in the Mobile Scottish Rite Bodies in October, 1963; and was honored by the Supreme Council with the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in October, 1975. He received the Degrees and Orders of the Mobile York Rite Bodies in July, 1958; and was installed a Knight Companion of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1979. He is, presently, serving as Prelate of St. Bernard Conclave in Mobile. He is a member of the Royal Order of Scotland and a Noble of ABBA Shrine Temple.

He has not limited his activities entirely to Masonry. He is a member of Carrie Woodson Chapter No. 569, Order of the Eastern Star. He is a Past Patron of Bowen Chapter No. 275, OES. In 1971, he served the Grand OES Chapter of Alabama as its Grand Sentinel.

Brother “Cotton” acknowledges camping and fishing as his favorite hobbies.