Haviland Dunaphant

Haviland Dunaphant, age 99, of Atlanta, Georgia passed away on July 30, 2024.

Haviland was born in Crowell, Ga on November 19, 1924, to Paul and Grace McDaniel. She had two sisters, Eleanor, and Helen. The McDaniels later moved to Reynolds, Georgia where the girls grew up and went to school. Haviland graduated from Reynolds High School.

Haviland attended Emory University School of Nursing and graduated in 1946. She served as an Army Cadet Nurse for 6 months towards the end of WWII. She studied public health nursing at Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee. She worked as a public health nurse in Dalton, Georgia for three years. She worked with TB patients in the Lawson Veterans Hospital in Chamblee, Georgia for three years. Haviland worked as a private duty nurse for Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia for thirty-five years. She often went home with patients to continue their care. She nursed many affluent patients during her time at Piedmont. Robert Shaw, conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra was one. She also worked for the Shepherds, founders of The Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta, Georgia, nursing and caring for James Shepherd after his body surfing accident in 1973. Haviland also worked as a camp nurse many summers when her children attended. She also took care of family members during her life, her mother, her mother-in-law, her son- in- law's mother and her husband who suffered from Alzheimer's.

Haviland was born with a heart defect, tachycardia, which challenged her health and well-being but being the tough, determined person she was, managed to keep it under control and very seldom complained. She was also diagnosed with breast cancer at age 50 and endured a double mastectomy and two years of chemotherapy. She continued to work at Piedmont Hospital during this time.

In 1950, Haviland married David W. Dunaphant, a WWII veteran. They were married in The Little Chapel at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church where they were members for many years. After 55 years of marriage, David passed away in January of 2005. They had three children, David, Jr. (Bill), Eleanor and Cindy. Three grandchildren, Jerry Davis (1975 -2024), Shawn Davis and Avery Sabo. One great granddaughter, Kylie Davis.

Haviland's favorite pastime was reading. She read numerous novels, magazines, and periodicals. She loved going to bookstores and attended several book signing events with her daughters. She also enjoyed writing. She filled multiple notebooks with her composition of family history, her early life growing up during the depression, her years as a nurse, and events that were significant to her during her life. These writings will be treasured by her family for years to come.

In 2013, her long-time home near Emory University was badly damaged due to a storm that left her house unlivable. Shortly after, she moved to Wesley Woods Towers, a senior living facility on Clifton Road in Atlanta, Georgia. She sold her property and remained at Wesley Woods until 2022. After losing her ability to walk on her own and having several falls, she moved to Budd Terrace Nursing Home where she stayed until she passed away on July 30, 2024.

Haviland was a diligent dedicated nurse, daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a strong determined woman and pushed through all the challenges she faced in her life. She touched many lives during her time on this Earth.

Rest well, Mama. Be at peace and pain free. You deserve it!

Memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at 2:30 pm at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church. The service will be held in The Little Chapel located in the Church School Building. The address is 1634 N Decatur Rd. Atlanta, Georgia.