Mrs. Dorothy Whitfield, 86, remembered as a 'local treasure'
By: Mike Sampogna
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer

Dorothy Whitfield's Daughter, Jo-Evelyn Morris of Marietta said her mother was a 'local treasure' to the city of Austell. Mrs. Whitfield taught first grade at Austell Elementary School for 35 years before retiring in 1980.

"She taught two generations of children in Austell," fellow church member and retired director of Cobb Department of Family and Children Services Ruth Williams said.

"She was a wonderful part of the community. She had an impact on parents as well as children."
Dorothy Milford Whitfield, 86, of Austell died Wednesday, Oct 4, 2000.

"For so many children, she was their introduction to school," Ms. Morris said. "She taught hundreds of children to read. Reading was her thing." Mrs. Whitfield also loved history, and loved teaching it to young people. "She loved to teach about U. S. presidents," Mrs. Morris said.

In her retirement, Mrs. Whitfield traveled extensively, fueling her hunger for learning.
"Whenever we would vacation together, we would go to museums," Ms. Morris said. "I would want to go through the places quickly, but she would stop and read every word on every exhibit, especial when it came to history."

And Mrs. Whitfield always made an effort to look extra special for her student. "She loved to wear beautiful clothes," Ms. Morris said. "She would wear gorgeous clothes to school and lots of pretty jewelry." "She looked like a fashion plate. It helped with the children because she looked so pretty they would put her on a pedestal and treat her like a queen," she said.

Ms Williams visited Mrs. Whitfield every two weeks for the past three years as part of an outreach program at First Baptist Church in Austell.
"She had grace and style," Ms. Williams said. "She was loving and caring for students in school. We all loved her, and still do."

Mrs. Whitfield and her husband, Hubert, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last May.

Services will be 3:30 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Austell with the Rev. Johnny Foster officiating. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery.

Survivors include her husband, Hubert E. Whitfield; one son, Stanley Whitfield of Hiram; one daughter, Ms. Morris of Marietta; one brother, Robert T. Whitfield of Ball Ground (?); three grandchildren; and nephews and nieces.

Contributions may be made to Cobb Landmark and Historical Society, 145 Denmead Street, Marietta, GA. 30060 or Austell First Baptist Church, 5991 Love Street SE, Austell, GA 30168.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Roy Davis Funeral Home in Austell.

Source: Marietta Daily Journal (GA)
Pub Date: Thursday, 5 Oct 2000