Nita Pyfrom Vereen, 87, passed away peacefully at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 19, 2019 with her daughter and son by her side at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla. Her cause of death was Alzheimer’s disease.
Jaunita Aileen Pyfrom was born in Miami, Fla. on January 23, 1932 to Albert Cecil Pyfrom and Roechelle Brooks Pyfrom. She grew up in Coral Gables and Opa-locka, Fla. One of her treasured childhood memories was of playing in her front yard each morning, often waving to “an elderly gentleman” who lived down the road and walked past her home during the winter months. She said he would smile and return her greeting. Asking her mother if she knew the man’s name, her mother replied, “Why, that’s Robert Frost. He’s a famous writer!” Perhaps this sparked her lifelong interest in the arts and literature. She became an avid reader.
A graduate of Miami Jackson High School, Nita attended Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tenn. and was a member of the Calliopean Society, a literary and debating society. She continued her studies at the University of Miami majoring in English and psychology and worked as part of the school’s administrative staff. She also was a member of the Chi Omega sorority.
Throughout her life, Nita was loving and compassionate – a person of strong and abiding Christian faith. Indeed, she met her future husband, Donald Eugene Davidson, at the Central Baptist Church in Miami. They were married there on April 17, 1954. Living in Jacksonville, Fla., where Don worked as treasurer and general manager of Lynch-Davidson Motors, Nita was involved in charity work, and both were active members of Riverside Baptist Church while raising their three children – Douglas, Leigh Ann, and Steven.
In those early years, Nita and Don enjoyed traveling for business and pleasure, attending many Ford dealership events, and enjoying University of Florida Gator football games. Nita made lifelong friends during her years in Jacksonville and those friendships sustained her after Don’s early death from ALS in 1968.
It was through mutual friends that she met Eugene M. Vereen Jr. They married in 1981 and resided in Gene’s hometown of Moultrie, Ga. for 27 years until his death in 2008. Nita loved her life in Moultrie with Gene, his family, and many dear friends. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Moultrie and had a special interest in the Colquitt County Arts Center. Bridge and Book Club were also meaningful and brought her great joy. Beginning in late-2014, Nita lived in Fernandina Beach, Fla. for the remainder of her life with her daughter and son-in-law. The family is grateful for all her gifted caregivers during this time – most notably Kathy Morin.
Nita was preceded in death by the father of her children, Don Davidson; their youngest son, Steven Thomas Davidson; her husband, Eugene M. Vereen Jr.; and his youngest son, John Cary Vereen.
Nita is survived by her children, Douglas Davidson (Lisanne) and Leigh Ann Adler (John), and her two grandchildren, Donald Davidson (Kalianne) and James Davidson. There was also a special part in her life for Gene’s children, E. Michael Vereen III (Jennifer), John Cary Vereen (Azalee), Ellen Vereen Rumble (Theo), and Joan Vereen Wilson (Richard), and their many wonderful children and families whom she adored.
A private burial ceremony, officiated by Reverend Hugh Ward of Moultrie, Ga., will be held at 1 p.m. January 18, 2020 at Oaklawn Cemetery, located at 4801 San Jose Blvd. in Jacksonville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care at 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257 or online at CommunityHospice.com/give.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors
