FishHawk Resident Has Eye on Crown

Around Winthrop Town Centre, Deborah Williams reigns when it comes to chocolate. But now the owner of Bellafia Chocolate Boutique has her eye on another crown.

She's raising funds to be named Florida queen of the Order of Eastern Star Jerusalem Grand Chapter.

Each April the Jerusalem Grand Chapter PHA holds a grand session in Jacksonville where men and women from around the state conduct business and participate in chapter activities including a fashion show.

This year Williams has been nominated by her Eastern Star chapter, which meets at the Landmark Masonic Lodge in Tampa, to run for queen.

The winner is chosen based on how much money she can raise for charity.

The Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal organization that both men and women can join. It was established in 1850 by Rob Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, who had been an official with the Freemasons. The organization is based on the Bible but is open to all people who believe in God.

There are approximately10,000 chapters in 20 countries and about 500,000 members.

"There are two different orders, and ours is the Prince Hall Affiliated order," said Williams. "The PHA order is very ritualistic and all the women wear white dresses."

While growing up in Pittsburg, Williams remembers seeing women in all white headed to chapter meetings.

"I'd see these women in their white regalia wearing these funny hats, and I always wondered about them," she said. "But the elders never shared any information with us about the order. My father was a member of the Masons and all I knew was they did a lot for the community."

It wasn't until she was in the military, stationed in Korea, that some members of her church approached her about joining the Order of the Eastern Star.

"I prayed about it and then decided to join," she said. "My heart is to help others as much as I can and this is an organization that wants to do the same."

Williams continued her affiliation with the Eastern Star after retiring from the Army after 27 years at the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2005.

"I was preparing to be deployed to Iraq when the doctors discovered I had bunions on my feet and needed surgery," she said. "After that, I couldn't wear combat boots anymore."

During her recovery, she gained weight and decided to join the Jenny Craig Weight Loss Center, which enabled her to lose 70 pounds. She eventually became a consultant for Jenny Craig, counseling other women about weight loss.

"While I was working as a consultant, my clients used to tell me how they cheated on their diets and I realized that 85 to 90 percent of us are chocoholics. It occurred to me that chocolate is big business."

Williams opened her chocolate boutique in Winthrop Town Centre Aug. 3, 2006, and said she's never looked back.

"My Jenny Craig clients still come to see me periodically," she said. As for herself, she's managed to keep the weight off despite working day in and out in a chocolate boutique.

"With Jenny Craig's help, I now know what I can have and what I can't," she said. "I sample the products but eat chocolate in moderation. And I work out three times a week at Curves."

Now she's using chocolate to help her reign as Florida queen by raffling off baskets of chocolate.

"My chapter nominated me to run for queen and, in order to win, you have to raise the most money," Williams said. "Last year's queen raised $2,400 so I set a goal of $3,000."

In addition to selling raffle tickets for the chocolate baskets, valued at $100, Williams is inviting friends and colleagues to "stay-at-home teas"  on April 3.

"I'm sending out donation cards with tea bags and a self-addressed stamped envelope, inviting people to have some tea on me in exchange for a donation," she said.

"It's been fun," said Williams. "In high school I was never a prom or homecoming queen. I was too busy playing the flute and piccolo in the marching band and orchestra. So this is my first time campaigning to be queen. We've only had one other queen in our chapter so I think it's time to bring the crown back home."

To purchase raffle tickets, drop by Williams' shop at 6028 Winthrop Town Centre Ave., Riverview. The winning ticket will be picked April 6.