Agnes Mckniff Driskell

Agnes McKniff Driskell, 93, born in Burnley, England on February 1, 1918 went to be with Jesus and all the saints on October 22, 2011 from complications due to Alzheimer's. She came to Atlanta, GA in 1946 to marry Ira H. Driskell of Paulding County, GA whom she met at an USO dance during World War II. She was a Sergeant in the Royal Air Force and Ira was a Technician 5th class in the U.S. Army Air Corps. She soon became active in the Catholic Church in Atlanta. In 1956 she was one of the founders for the Atlanta Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (AACCW), president from 1971-1973. In the late 1960s and early 1970s she went to March Of Dimes meetings on infant mortality in GA and got AACCW involved. In April 1970 Better Infant Births (BIB) was formed as a coalition sponsored by the National Foundation of March Of Dimes Metro Atlanta Chapter. The four original organizations were AACCW, B'nai B'rith women, Glenwood Jaycettes, and the Service Guild. Agnes was president of BIB 1972-1974. Her main focus was for women to have healthy babies. She would go to PTAs, middle and high school assemblies with other women, doctors and nurses to help educate parents and teens on nutrition, health, and abstinence. She would help make up layettes for women who went to the local clinics for their prenatal care and lobbied with Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies at the State Legislature for maternal, infant and child healthcare. For six years (1970s-1980s) Agnes chaired the task force on teen pregnancy with the DeKalb County Teen Services Committee for the DeKalb Health Department. Agnes also volunteered for Women in Community Service, Friends of the Library program in DeKalb County, and DeKalb County League of Women Voters. She was awarded the ll Alive Award as "One Who Cares" in 1985 for her work in BIB, honored in 1988 by the YWCA Greater Atlanta DeKalb branch in the "Women Who Have Made A Difference" program for her work on the teenage pregnancy task force, honored in 1991 by the National Association of Counties for her volunteer work in DeKalb County and recognized in a special presentation of "County Points of Light" from President George H. W. Bush. Agnes was a devout woman of faith, always made sure she had time for prayer and to instill a love for God in her family. She saw what needed to be done and accomplished it. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Ira H. Driskell. She is survived by her sister, Winefride Applewhite, and husband, Rodney, her two daughters, Therese Driskell Downs and Jean Driskell, two grandsons, James Meeks and Shannon Meeks, four great grandchildren, Brandon, Alexus, Kaylee and Shristi, and many nieces and nephews. The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Decatur, concelebrated by Msgr. Henry Gracz and Fr. Bryan Small. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 28, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the Rosary at 7:30 p.m. at AS. Turner and Sons Funeral Home, Decatur. In lieu of flowers, please bring a layette item for BIB.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033