Daphne D.S. ''Dede'' Jeffers

Daphne D.S. "Dede" Jeffers died in Atlanta, Georgia on December 5, 2024 after a long illness. She was 87.

Dede was born on January 15, 1937 in Huntington, West Virginia to J. C. and Elinore D.H. Sheets. A descendant of Edmund Jennings Randolph on her mother's side, Dede made her debut at the Commonwealth Club in Richmond, VA in 1955, and she graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1959 where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.

She is preceded in death by her husbands George M. J. Lyon, Jr.; John Yates Smythe; and, Dan G. Jeffers.

She is survived by her children Elinore Carrington "Carri" Lyon, Laura Dannenberg Lyon Quinn (David), G. Marshall Lyon, III (Tabitha); stepdaughters Jacqueline Smythe Wray and Janet Smythe Troutman (Doug); stepson Mark Jeffers (Debbie); grandchildren Rebecca and Susannah Quinn and Jack and Luke Lyon; and, her niece and dear friend Natalie "Tali" Olmi.

Dede was a phenomenal athlete-at age 12, while vacationing with her parents at The Greenbrier, she was recruited to train for the US Olympic swimming team (an offer her parents politely declined). She was captain of the synchronized swimming team at William & Mary and exercised nearly every day of her life.

She was also an avid outdoorsperson and gardener. For many years, she was a camper and then a counselor at Camp Alleghany in White Sulphur Springs, WV, and she shared her love of nature with her children and grandchildren.

Dede was an indefatigable volunteer and board member who was always available to do whatever needed to be done. From teaching children English as a second language in Boston, MA in the early 1960s to working as a Head Start volunteer in Washington, DC; and from helping to run Duke University's International House to serving as a hospice volunteer in Huntington, WV, Dede was truly a giver. In addition to her volunteer and board work, she also provided financial assistance to many civic and charitable organizations and individuals during her lifetime.

Dede was a devoted mother and grandmother, a wonderful friend and an extremely loving and caring person. Her great joys were her grandchildren and her strong faith. Her life was centered in a faith and integrity that was, and will continue to be, an inspiration for all her family.

The family would like to thank the extraordinary caregivers at Pruitt Place in Atlanta for their loving and compassionate care.

A memorial service is being planned for Summer 2025 in Huntington, WV.