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MRS. MARY E. WHITE DARBY
Mary E. White Darby, a “True Rattler” of Florida A&M University, has trnsitioned. She passed away on Monday, February 15, 2021, at Tampa General Hospital.
As a longtime Hillsbor- ough County resident, Mary E. White Darby was born in Polk County. Mary was a key member in her community and continued to be an active member with activities in her family’s Mulberry/Polk
County communities. She was very close to her niece, Karen, who stated the plans for the services are incomplete at the time of going to press.
She attended the public schools of Polk County and graduated from J. R. E. Lee High School, where she main- tained an active status in her class reunions. Mary gradu- ate from FAMU in the College of Education in the Class of 1956 with a Bachelor of Sci- ence Degree, and received her Master’s Degree in 1972.
She enjoyed teaching. She was a dedicated teacher in the Hillsborough County Public Schools. Mrs. Darby retired from Claywell Elementary School after 32 years of com- mitment to moving students to the next level for academic success in Hillsborough County Public School system.
Mrs. Darby served for
more than 60 years at Mt. Carmel AME Church, where she was an active, faithful and dedicated member until her hospitalization and subse- quent passing. Additionally, she attended church confer- ences, workshops and meet- ings. She worked diligently in the basement of the church for many years on many projects of spiritual and community in- terest, including FAMU Tampa Chapter Alumni monthly meetings. She chaired countless activities at the church and made sure she was supported by volunteering you to work with her.
Mary Darby worked under several Presidents of the Tampa Chapter and was highly engaged with more than eleven (11) Presidents be- fore she decided to serve. Mary was known all over the country, state and in
Tampa/Hillsborough County as “Mrs. Orange and Green,” as well as “Mrs. Rattler Mem- bership Chair.” Tampa Chap- ter has been in the top five chapters under numerous Na- tional Presidents because of the works of Mary White Darby, Tampa FAMU Alumni Chapter Membership Chair.
After attending local, state, region and national meetings and conferences on FAMU campus and all over the United States and abroad, Mary decided to throw her hat in the ring and run for Chapter President. She was successful until she selected to hand the gavel to President Jackie Hearns. Mary had a new idea because of what she had seen occurring in the chapter. She had an idea of how she could assist in a dif- ferent way.
In 1997, Mary White
Darby organized the then Re- tired Rattler Trailblazers and served as President. For nearly twenty (20) years. The Retired Rattlers under Mary’s leader- ship met once at month at the Golden Corral in Temple Ter- race and moved to the Open Café upon their opening. She used this venture to support FAMU and the Tampa Chap- ter, educate members with guest speakers on a pleather of subjects. Over four years, Mary and the Retired Rattlers delivered $24,450 for scholar- ships to students.
As of today, service details are incomplete; however, the family has requested that in- stead of flowers, please con- tribute to the Mary White Darby Tampa Retired FAMU Alumni Scholar- ship. Mail donations to P.O.Box 11503, Tampa, FL 33680-1503.
A True Rattler Has Transitioned
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY PAGE 11-A