Sheldon Little
On April 7, 2009 a beloved Past Master of Fulton Lodge No. 216, F. &A.M. Sheldon Little passed away at his home in Woodstock. He was 75 years old and an active member of Fulton Lodge for almost 41 years.
Sheldon was born on September 23, 1933. He attended Georgia Tech graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Sheldon was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Fulton Lodge on May 1, 1968. He served as Master in 1975 but his election to the East started on a sad note as the beloved secretary of Fulton Lodge, Mendle Boorstin, P.M., who so many Masters had relied upon for 37 years, passed away two days after Sheldon was installed. Undeterred, Sheldon made it clear to his officers from the very beginning that he intended to have an exemplary year with the objective of winning the Grand Master’s Cup which Fulton Lodge had won three times since it inception twenty‐five years before. Sheldon put his officers and the brethren to labor in and outside of the Lodge room with a carefully considered plan that was executed with the precision and vigor for which Sheldon became know through the fraternity. Openings, closing, and all degree work were flawless. Lodge programs were excellent and entertaining. Sheldon re‐energized the Child Welfare Fund which reached out to the community by donating a portable EKG machine to the Henrietta Egelston Hospital for Children. The Fellowcraft was published quarterly with Sheldon having taken many of the pictures. The ladies night and the annual dinner dance were attended by 200 people or more. During his year as Master Sheldon updated and republished the book of Masonic lectures developed by Sidney Parks, P.M. in 1953 as an instructional guide to lodge officers and lecturers (updated again
by Sheldon in 1999 and now in its fifth printing). The goal set by Sheldon for 1975 was achieved when Grand Master Harris Bollock announced at the 1975 Grand Lodge sessions that Fulton Lodge had won the Grand Master’s Cup.
Sheldon could have rested on the laurels he had brought to Fulton Lodge in 1975 but he did not. Sheldon continued to work. As a lecturer he was sought out by other lodges to perform the Staircase lecture and as well as the Letter G which he regularly gave in Fulton Lodge. He presented the Staircase Lecture over 300 times. He served as Treasurer, Director of Work and an instructor for Fulton Lodge and was elected by his brethren to serve as Senior
Warden for a second time in 2006. Many of the brethren got their first introduction to Fulton Lodge and the Atlanta Masonic Center by attending the candidate orientation sessions conduct by Sheldon. He expanded upon the book of Masonic Lectures by developing and writing a detailed explanation of the floor work so important to all Masonic lodges.
Sheldon Little became active in the Fifth Masonic District eventually becoming Master and serving as Secretary for over twenty
years. He participated in Grand Lodge activities including serving on committees, bringing the Grand Lodge online with its first website, and serving as recording secretary at Grand Lodge sessions. Sheldon served as a member of the Grand Lodge General Welfare Committee at the time of his passing. In 1996 Sheldon was awarded the Grand Lodge Distinguish Service Medal.
Sheldon was also an active member of Scottish Rite. In addition to his participation in many degrees he held a number of Scottish Rite offices. He was the treasurer for the Scottish Rite for a number of years and a long time member of the executive committee. For many years Sheldon was an active member of the Traitor cast, playing the part of Benedict Arnold, as
well as serving as the assistant director. Sheldon took great pleasure in serving on the Scottish Rite Child Care Committee which approved funding for children in need at the Scottish Rite Hospital. Although members were only expected to attend committee meetings every few months, Sheldon attended the meetings at the hospital every month. Fulton Lodge honored Sheldon during its 150th anniversary celebration by making a donation in his honor to the Scottish Rite’s Preservation Trust. After his retirement from Zep Manufacturing Sheldon worked daily as a member of the staff in the Scottish Rite business office. He was honored by Scottish Rite with his white cap symbolic of a 33o Mason, an Inspector General Honorary. Sheldon recently completed the Scottish Rite Master Craftsman Course.
Although Sheldon attended lodge regularly he was not just a Mason on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Sheldon lived and breathed Freemasonry and Fulton Lodge in particular. Sheldon could not sit on the sidelines and watch as others performed the work he loved incorrectly or without the vigor he expected. His passion required that he correct or instruct his brethren when he failed to see the perfection he demanded of himself. He did so not because of ego or a desire to show what he knew but out of a love for Masonry and the desire that Fulton Lodge, and all lodges, perform the ritual exactly as it has been passed down and as intended. Sheldon worked tirelessly to do things the right way and had no patience for anything less.
Although Sheldon was presented with a life membership in Fulton Lodge after his year in the East, which relieved him of the obligation to pay dues, Sheldon paid an amount equal to twenty‐one year’s dues to become a perpetual member of Fulton Lodge when the Grand Lodge of Georgia started that program. Perpetual membership means that Fulton Lodge not only received dues from the Grand Lodge for Sheldon each year that he was not obligated to pay but his thoughtfulness will continue to support Fulton Lodge as the Grand Lodge will continue to pay an amount equal to his dues to Fulton Lodge each year in perpetuity.
Sheldon leaves a legacy of which any Mason would be proud and of which Fulton Lodge is extremely proud. Carrying on the tradition of hard work and dedication taught to him by the brethren of Fulton Lodge who came before him, Sheldon sought
to pass that same tradition on to those brethren that followed him with the same high standards upon which he received it. Sheldon accomplished that which Masonry always seeks to accomplish; he made good men better. Sheldon left Fulton Lodge, Georgia Masonry and brethren he touched better than he found them.
Well done our good and faithful brother, well done.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to W.B. Mike Kessler for this contribution.
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