Erin graduated from Ocala High School in 1948 and enjoyed going back to visit with her classmates during their annual reunions. She was married to Ronald Eugene “Gene” Whitfield on November 9, 1949. After he went to Heaven in July of 2004, she often said she was still married to him in her heart. Erin retired in 1995 from the Duval County School Board where she had worked as a school secretary and completed her career at Lakeshore Middle School. She was proud of the military careers of her husband and 3 of her sons; often bragging that collectively they served 92 years in the Navy. Erin and Gene spent many years camping together with friends and fishing in Lake Kerr. Erin loved to read and was the librarian for a small book club of special friends. She enjoyed word search puzzles – especially if they were built around scripture. As a mother, she wanted to be involved in the lives of her children. She served as a Cub Scout leader and GA leader. Every year, when her children were young, she would bake a birthday cake for Jesus and would have neighborhood children over for a party. Erin enjoyed cross-stitching and lovingly made close to 100 ornaments for family, close friends and caregivers every year for Christmas. She wanted her home to feel open to the friends of all of her children and was known as “Grandma” to many of their friends. Erin was a mother to many but her baby sister of 12 years was her first “practice child”. She loved being with her family, serving her community and church and sharing Christ with others. Erin leaves behind a legacy of love shared by her family and many life-long friends. She was loved and will be missed; now she is with the one who she loved and missed.
Erin was preceded in death by her parents, John R. Vaughn and Erin L. Vaughn; her sister Wilma J. Vaughn; her husband, Ronald E. Whitfield and granddaughter Sydney R. Morrow. She is survived by her children: David Whitfield, John (De) Whitfield, Paul (Judith) Whitfield, Rick (Pam) Whitfield; Jeanne (Rick) Collins, Angela (Jim) Dale, Jennifer Hart-Moran; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren and her sister, Jeanne (Wayne) Young.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lakeshore Baptist Church or The American Lung Association.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 21, 2020 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm for a visitation at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205. Funeral Services will begin at 2:00 pm with a graveside service immediately following. Due to Covid-19 there is a limitation of 35 guests for the visitation and funeral service and 50 guests for graveside service. For all of those who are unable to attend due to social distancing guidelines, please leave words of comfort and condolences for the family on our online guest register at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com
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