Award for Long and Distinguished Service
Each year the Texas Mayflower Society anxiously anticipates presentation of the
Annual Award for Long and Distinguished Service.
This award recognizes a member whose dedication, leadership, and faithful service have made a lasting and meaningful impact upon the Texas Society.
2026 Texas Mayflower Society Annual Award Recipient
Judie Rew Allen
We honor Judie Allen, a woman whose record of service reflects not only commitment and ability, but also a deep and abiding devotion to the work and mission of our Texas Mayflower Society.
Judie Allen has served the Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants in numerous capacities over many years, giving generously of her time, her knowledge, and her talents. Her leadership has strengthened this Society at both the Colony and State levels, and her example has inspired many along the way.
Among her many offices, Judie served as Governor of the Texas Society from 2019 to 2021, leading with grace and steadiness during the difficult and unprecedented days of the coronavirus pandemic. At a time when connection and continuity were especially important, she helped ensure that the work of our Society not only continued, but remained vibrant and meaningful.
During her term as Governor, Judie produced and promoted memorable 2020 Commemoration projects, including Gone to Texas: How Mayflower Descendants Got to Texas, as well as educational YouTube presentations about the Plimoth Pilgrims. Through these efforts, she helped preserve our history, deepen appreciation for our Pilgrim ancestors, and share that story with others in creative and lasting ways.
Her service to the Texas Society has also included terms as Recording Secretary from 2015 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2019, Board of Assistants Representative, Bylaws Chair for multiple administrations, and Nominating Committee Chair for multiple administrations. She has also served as Deputy Governor General and Assistant Deputy Governor General, representing Texas at meetings of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.
At the Colony level, Judie has likewise served with distinction. She has been a devoted member of the Corpus Christi Colony, serving as Governor, Elder, and in other capacities, while also sharing her knowledge through presentations to both the Colony and to school groups. Her willingness to educate, encourage, and assist others has been a gift to all who have worked alongside her.
Those who nominated Judie spoke not only of the offices she has held, but of the spirit in which she has served. They described her as tireless, knowledgeable, generous, and unfailingly dedicated. They noted that she regularly attends meetings with exceptional devotion, that she has represented Texas Mayflower well, and that she is always willing to help fellow members with her knowledge and experience. One nominator wrote that she truly embodies what Texas Mayflower members should aspire to be.
And those who know Judie would surely agree with another observation shared in her nomination — that her beautiful smile is her signature look. It is a fitting description of someone whose service has been marked not only by diligence and leadership, but also by warmth, kindness, and grace.
Judie, your years of faithful service have enriched the Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants in countless ways. Your leadership has guided us, your efforts have strengthened us, and your example has encouraged us. For all that you have done — and for the manner in which you have done it — we are deeply grateful.
We honor Julie Allen as the 2026 Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants Award for Long & Distinguished Service.
2025 Texas Mayflower Society Annual Award Recipient
Mike Byrne
It is a great honor to recognize a truly exceptional
individual whose dedication, passion, and unwavering
commitment to our society have made a lasting
impact on the Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants.
That person is Mike Byrne, a man whose contributions
to our organization are nothing short of remarkable.
Mike’s involvement with the Society began in 2009, and since then, he has been a cornerstone of our efforts, always willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed. He joined the San Antonio Colony and quickly became an invaluable member, sharing his deep knowledge of history and his passion for our mission. Not only has Mike been a dedicated speaker and a guide at the Alamo, but he has also served as the Colony’s BOA representative, a role he continues to fill with enthusiasm and care.
Throughout his years of service, Mike has held numerous significant positions at both the Colony and State levels. His leadership roles include serving as Captain, Corresponding Secretary, and holding committee positions in various capacities. Notably, he served as San Antonio Colony Governor from 2013 to 2015, and his contributions as Chair of the Nominations Committee, Finance Committee, and many other roles are nothing short of exemplary. He has been a reliable, steady presence, always stepping up when the Society has needed him most.
One of Mike’s greatest achievements, which exemplifies his dedication to our Society, is the tremendous effort he put into organizing and planning the 2022 Texas State Meeting in San Antonio. This was a monumental task that required not only arranging venues, meals, and accommodations for all attendees, but also coordinating a variety of activities that showcased the rich history of San Antonio. From the River Walk barge ride to the tours of the San Antonio Missions, Mike’s meticulous planning and tireless work made this event a resounding success.
And if that wasn’t enough, Mike has once again shown his remarkable dedication by taking on the monumental task of planning both the 2025 Texas State Meeting and the 2025 General Board of Assistants (GBOA) meeting, which will both be held in San Antonio. These events are expected to bring together hundreds of people from across the country, and Mike has been at the helm, ensuring that every detail is thoughtfully organized and executed. He has done this all without the help of others and with a level of commitment that few could match.
Mike’s service to the Texas Society is not limited to event planning. He has been an invaluable mentor and advisor to many of us, always offering his guidance, experience, and insight. Whether serving as a speaker, contributing to the finance committee, or stepping into leadership positions, Mike has been a constant source of support for the entire organization. His selflessness and dedication to our mission are unparalleled, and his contributions over the years have shaped the success of the Texas Society.
Today, we are here to recognize Mike Byrne not only for the many years of service he has given, but also for the incredible work he has done in the past year alone. His continued contributions, leadership, and tireless work on behalf of the Society make him the perfect recipient of the 2025 Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants Award for Long & Distinguished Service.
Mike, your work and dedication to our Society have truly made a difference. You have given us not just your time, but your heart, and we are deeply grateful for everything you have done. This award is well-deserved, and we are all incredibly fortunate to have you as a member of our community.
2024 Texas Mayflower Society Annual Award Recipient
Sheryl Schilling
At the colony level, Sheryl has served as historian, maintaining an extensive scrapbook of photographs and documents for the Houston Colony and also takes great care to capture the essence of each event, ensuring that its significance is preserved for future generations.
She has shown exceptional organizational skills, unwavering commitment to documenting History and is always working in the background at every meeting, making sure events run smoothly.
Sheryl has designed and made Tri-folds for use at State and Colony meetings and has assisted the with educational projects for the Houston Colony.
At the State level, she has served as both Assistant Historian and Co-Historian and also as a BOA Representative.
She is currently serving the State as Digital Archivist and travels to the UTSA storage site to survey and record items belonging to the Texas Mayflower Society. Her expertise in digitizing and safeguarding historical records is invaluable. Some of the digitized scrapbooks can be viewed on the TXSOMD website. Last year, she retrieved the Texas Mayflower Charter that was in a broken frame; had it remounted and framed with archival glass so that it may be preserved and enjoyed for years to come.
It is my pleasure as awards committee chair to present the award for Long and Distinguished Service to Sheryl Schilling. Congratulations, Sheryl! Thank you for your service and dedication to the Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants.
2023 Texas Mayflower Society Annual Award Recipient
Sandy Sauers
Sandy has dedicated her time and expertise to various facets of honoring our Pilgrim ancestors. She has served the Houston Colony in many capacities. In past years Sandy Sauer served as Texas Mayflower Society Publications Chair. She is currently serving the State Society as Texas Education Chair.
Sandy has created and distributed Museum Boxes to schools. She has spent summers updating and preparing these boxes for upcoming school years. Sandy has added lesson plans, updated books, maps, charts and purchased colony toys to be added. She has displayed mini–Museum Boxes at BOA and State meetings. A photograph was published in the Mayflower Quarterly magazine which resulted in inquires from other member societies. Sandy has shared lesson plans and details to all who inquired.
Using material from GSMD, Sandy recently put together a booklet containing a brief biography of all Mayflower Pilgrims with descendants. It is concise and portable, making a great reference guide for our members and others who may have an interest in Mayflower ancestry.
Congratulations, Sandy! Thank you for your service and dedication to the Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants.
2022 Texas Mayflower Society Annual Award Recipient
Lisa Pennington
Lisa Pennington was announced as the recipient of this esteemed award during the banquet of the April 1-2, 2022, state meeting in San Antonio. An avid genealogist and historian, Lisa Pennigton has served as Counsellor and Elder in the Texas Mayflower Society. As a Houston Colony member, she was Governor, Treasurer and Captain. For the Isaac Allerton Society, Lisa served as Governor, Deputy Governor, and Assistant. As GSMD Member-at-Large-West, she spoke to many Member Societies in the western part of the United States. In 2019, Lisa initiated the series of popular monthly virtual lectures for The Mayflower Society, hosting one of the lectures, while continuing to research and present many interesting PowerPoint presentations for the past few years. Lisa serves on the board of the historic Mayflower Society Meetinghouse in Plymouth and currently serves The Mayflower Society as Counsellor General.
The Texas Mayflower Society appreciates her and dedication and service to our societies.
2021 Texas Mayflower Society Annual Award Recipient
Eizabeth Heise
The 2021 recipient was Elizabeth Heise who resides in Brownsville and she is a member of the Corpus Christi colony. On the state level, she has served as Co-Historian since 2017. She has not only served, but she has implemented many programs that have streamlined the application and supplemental progress both at the Texas and the national level. She has assisted over 200 members in joining our society. She has also provided guidance and programs on DNA for our society as well as for other genealogy societies. In addition, this year she has worked endless hours to set up a membership database that members can access on our website. On the national GSMD level, she is currently serving on the bylaws committee.
2020 Texas Mayflower Society Annual Award Recipient
Peggy Marsh
The 2020 recipient was Peggy Marsh who resides in Sugar Land and she is a member of the Houston colony. On the state level, she has served as Publications Chairman, State Recording Secretary, Junior Committee Chairman, a member of the Public Relations Committee, and Co-Chairman for the 2020 Planning Committee. As Junior Committee Chairman, she developed age-appropriate curriculum, she distributed newsletters, she suggested a way to simplify junior membership, she helped draft a bylaws amendment concerning their membership and she encouraged each Texas colony to locate their own junior chairman. As a member of the Public Relations Committee, she created interesting and catchy news releases for public service announcements during 2020. As a Co-Chairman for the 2020 Planning Committee, she helped organize the float and participants for the Tyler Rose Parade and she helped organize an event held at Washington on the Brazos. On the national GSMD level, she worked on the Junior Committee where she made educational flash drives that are a great resource used to improve all state junior programs. In the Houston colony, she launched their junior program by organizing their meetings and activities.
Texas Society of Mayflower Descendents
Annual Awards
2005 • Barbara Williams
2006 • Lola Haden McDaniel
2007 • Deborah Werner
2008 • Ross Shipman
2009 • Pat Howard
2010 • No Recipient
2011 • Bart Henson
2012 • William Newcomb
2012 • Donald Prey
2013 • Susan Ashbaugh
2013 • Carol Burnaman
2014 • Betty Corcoran
2014 • Mike Nichols
2015 • Charles Prince
2015 • Michael Byrne
2016 • Prarie Counce
2017 • Leah Davis
2018 • Linda Hill
2019 • Pat Nichols
2020 • Peggy Marsh
2021 • Elizabeth Heise
2022 • Lisa Pennington
2023 • Sandy Sauers
2024 • Sheryl Schilling
2025 • Mike Byrne
2026 • Judie Allen