Eugenia Grace Gaffin LaFontaine, 88

Born on Aug. 27, 1918 in Warren County, she was a retired educator and received her B.S. degree from Tennessee College for Women in Murfreesboro in 1942 and her M.A. degree from George Peabody College in Nashville in 1957. She taught elementary school in McMinnville for nine years, but then moved to Florida where she taught in Englewood, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. She touched the lives of many children and kept her love of teaching throughout her teaching tenure. She retired in 1968 and a few years later returned to McMinnville and lived here until her death. She was a member of McMinnville First Baptist Church.

The daughter of the late Walter Clark Gaffin, Sr. and Lucy Dodson Gaffin, she was preceded in death by her husband John LaFontaine; sisters, Jennie McDaniel and Catherine Lynn; and brothers, Luke Gaffin and Walter Clark (Red) Gaffin, Jr.

Survivors include her sister-in-law, Mary Katherine Gaffin of Viola and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A graveside service was held Saturday at Riverside Cemetery. Rev. Bill Martin officiated. Interment followed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the W.C. (Red) Gaffin, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Viola Branch of First National Bank. Online condolences may be made to www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com.

McMinnville Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.