Edythe Daffin

White

Edythe Daffin White, age 91, was born February 17, 1927 in Jackson, Al to the parentage of the late Joseph Lindsey Daffin, Sr. and the late Annie Elizabeth Coates Daffin. She was the seventh of eight children born. She departed this life August 10, 2018 at Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, AL.

Religious – A life-long, faithful, and dedicated member of Saint Union Missionary Baptist Church where she served as church clerk, matron counselor, assistant teacher of adult and senior classes, and sang in the choir. Ms. White served as president of the Free Mission Baptist District Women Department for numerous years, music director of the Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress, and was a dedicated field worker for the Southwest Baptist District Association.

She received her education in the Clarke County School System; she attended Jackson Elementary School, and later graduated Harper High School as Salutatorian and Vice-president of her class. She furthered her education at Alabama State University where she received her bachelor of science degree and masters of education. At Alabama State, she was a member of Epsilon Beta Chapter of Zeta Phi Sorority, Inc.; elected Miss Senior Class, and traveled State-wide and throughout the United States as a featured soloist with the Alabama State University Choir. After graduate school, she studied at Tuskegee University, Auburn University, and the University of Alabama.

Ms. White was employed by the Clarke County Board of Education where she taught at Christian Valley School in Rockville for three years; Clarke County Colored High School on Depot Road for several years, and at Harper High School. She taught remedial reading and math at Jackson High School. She served as vice-president of the Clarke County Education Association and two terms as president and financial secretary. Ms. White was the first Adult Basic Education (ABE) teacher in Clarke County. She retired in 1989 after 39 years as an educator.

In 1985, she was the first black woman to qualify, run, and be elected on the Jackson City Council. During her two terms, she represented District 1 in an exemplary manner and served on various committees and boards. She was instrumental in changing the voting process in the City of Jackson to voting in districts opposed to voting city-wide council seats.

Civic and Community Services – a founding member of the Depot Reunion Committee, past member of Order of The Eastern Star, Heroines of Jericho, Alabama Association of Women's Clubs and Youth Affiliates; president of the Women's Progressive Federated Club, Inc., whose motto was, "Lifting As We Climb".

Orator and Singer – Ms. White was a much sought after speaker for many civic and church events, as well as using her vocal gift and talent evidenced in being the featured soloist at weddings, church services and community programs.

In 1985, the Jackson Area Mass Choir named her as their first "Black Citizen of the Year" and later celebrated her as "Woman Of The Year". In 1989, Ms. White was named Zeta's Woman Of The Year". She also received numerous educational and civic awards - - - Clarke County Teacher of the Year, Community Action Award, Meritorious Award by Prichard Zetas, Dravitan Federated Club's Human Service Award.

Travel – among her most favorite things to do was travel. She graced the continents of West and South Africa along with Sisters of Zeta Phi Beta and Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma; she especially loved Liberia; she's visited Mexico, Oprah's Harpo Television Studio in Chicago, IL, and attended three presidential inaugurations: President Bill Clinton and both inaugurations of President Barak Obama.

It is an understatement that Ms. White touched the lives of many people with her smile, trademark sense of humor, kindness and generosity.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Willie Daffin, Joseph Daffin, Jr., and Johnny Daffin; three sisters, Carrie Daffin Campbell, Hattie Daffin Williams, and Lela Mae Sampson; and her daughter, Charlette Daffin Matthews.

She was unconditionally devoted to her family and friends and will forever be remembered in the hearts of her loving and devoted family; son, Marlin White, Sr. of Huntsville, AL; treasured by her two grandchildren, Marlin White, Jr. of Jeffersonville, IN and Krystie (Preston) Chisolm of Fort Worth, TX; one great-grandson, Juelz White; great-granddaughters, Kayton and Parker Chisolm; one sister, Carolyn "Bebe" Daffin Oliver of Mobile, AL; five nephews; one devoted, Lewelyn Oliver of Atlanta, GA; 16 nieces; four devoted, Dorothy Bennett, Faye (Garry) Beckham, Lela James of Jackson, AL, and Joan Bowe of Dayton, OH; sister-in-law, Claudette Daffin of Mobile, AL; god-children, Candyce Colston, Chaundra Colston, Cherri Colston Ranz, Celess Colston, Thaddeus Douglas, Chelsia Douglas, and Linda Armstead Jones, and a host of other relatives and friends; devoted friends, Louise Vaughn, Mary Lee Bettis, Dellie T. Sullivan, Harriette Douglas, Vevelyn "Queenie" Gilchrist, Mary Ford, Elaine Stinnett, Hattie Gibby, and her angel, Veronica McConico.

Viewing Friday, August 17, 2018, 4-6pm at Andrews Funeral Home, Jackson, AL; viewing Saturday, August 18, 2018, 10am until the 11am service at Mt. Olive #2 Missionary Baptist Church, 105 Griffin Street, Jackson, AL 36545; Dr. Stevenson E. Tullis, pastor; Dr. James M. Howard, Sr., eulogist. Following burial ceremony in Woodlawn Cemetery, the family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church.