Daphne Rebecca Woodfin

Daphne Rebecca Woodfin nee Hayles was the last of six children born to the late Javon and Albertine Hayles in the quiet district of Cavaliers, St Andrew ,Jamaica on February 9,1942. Her birth was special as she was the only twin to be born in the family. Unfortunately, her twin brother, who was sick at birth, dieda few monthslater. She enjoyedtime spent with her family, however, her life changed drastically; at the tender age of eight herfamily circle was broken when her fatherwho was the breadwinner of the family succumbed to his illness on February 21,1950. AuntieDaphne obtained her education at the Cavaliers Elementary school.Unfortunately, she was unable to attend school beyond 6th grade due to economic hardship. She showed interest in learning the skills of dress making . Her interest materialized when she got the opportunity to learn free hand dressmaking with herlate cousin, Evelyn Castle. She eventually earned her livelihood as a freelanceseamstress while in Jamaica. She migrated to Canada in 1969. After living there for some time, she moved to the USA, where she lived with one of her brothers for several years. While living in New York, she continued to work for her livelihood as a child giver and domestic helper.Sheeventually got married, but it later ended in a divorce. She moved to Georgia where she continued to fend for herself, working in a pastry shop along with other odd jobs. She finally settled in Texas. Here, she continued to work for a living, at times working two or morejobs to make ends meet-She worked as a custodian, then later, in Foods and Nutrition as a member of the schools' cafeteria staff in Mesquite Independent school District. She also worked part time as aCertified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in a nursing home, as well as private care, in addition to domestic helper jobs. She metthe love of herlife - the late J. D. Woodfin, whom she eventually married on January 20,1990. They lived together until November, 2002, when he answered the Master’s call to depart this life to be with the Lord. There was a void that material things could not fill, and she knew what the missing link was.It wasRev 3: 20 which said,” Behold I stand at door and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”She eventually opened the door of her heart and let Jesus Christ into her life. She publicly made her profession of faith known andwas baptized prior to becoming a member of Macedonia Baptist Church on February 2,1992. According to her Pastor, she faithfully served the Lord in several ministries over the years. Her passion was visiting and winning souls for Jesus Christ. She loved and enjoyed working in the bus ministry for many years, picking up children and bringing them to Sunday School and Church. Aunt Daphne also served in the church’s homeless ministry in downtown Dallas, working with the women and their children.For years she taught Sunday School, and when she could no longer physically work in a ministry, she remained a faithful prayer warrior. She struggled with ill health for many years, and this led to her being hospitalized on several occasions. On one such occasion, she was sent from the hospital to the nursing home for rehabilitation. As her health continued to deteriorate,she could be heard saying “ Oh Jesus, help me.” The song by Sandra Brooks sums up herstruggles in the twilight of her life: “The road is rough, going gets tough , but I’ve decided to make Jesus my choice.” This was one of the songs she listened to over and over as a testimony of her struggles a few days prior to her departure from this life. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, soAuntie Daphnefinally answered the Lord’s callto be present with himon February 22,2020. She is survived by oneolder sister, Gladys Berry (Jamaica); one older brother, Joseph Hayles (Florida), 3 sisters -in- law: 15 nieces-8 of whom are still living in Jamaica; 12 nephews-8 of whomare also still living in Jamaica; grand nephews and nieces; great grand nieces and nephews; other families and friends, too numerous to name. Auntie Daphne, sleep on and take your rest, because on that day when the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and the dead in Christ shall rise , I believe you will rise again in a glorified body to celebrate with the Lord eternally.