Daphne Dabney Terrill
As Greek mythology tells it, the nymph Daphne pleaded with her father to bless her with deliverance from the relentless pursuit of Apollo. Thus, she was transformed into a laurel tree–the Greek origin of “Daphne”–symbolizing achievement, victory, and eternal life. On Dec. 24, 2025, per her namesake, Daphne Dabney Terrill was transformed into a heavenly laurel tree and granted deliverance from the figurative Apollo that consumed her earthly being.
Born in Gulfport as the youngest of three children to the late James Conway Dabney and the late Agnes Barnett Dabney, Daphne epitomized her mythological lore. Early on in life, she discovered her insatiable passion for dance, particularly ballet; and she encompassed the most beautiful parts of her Southern heritage, displaying grace, poise, vitality, etiquette, charisma, and love. Even in her later days, you could catch her walking from room to room with a phone book on her head to keep her posture correct.
Daphne went on to thrive at Ole Miss and even held the office as Kappa Kappa Gamma social chair. After two years, and despite her dedication to all things Kappa and Ole Miss, she transferred to Memphis State to pursue her desired major. As fate would have it, that move led her to finding her Apollo antithesis. On Aug. 16, 1969, back in Gulfport and just one day before Category 5 Hurricane Camille devastated the Mississippi coastline, she married her forever flyboy, USAF LT Donald Robert Terrill. From that day forward, together they were their own natural force.
Eventually, Daphne managed to earn her bachelor’s degree in health information sciences and later went on to earn her master’s degree, all while being a devoted military spouse and mother. While frequent relocation became routine, in a lifestyle that has too often broken even the best, she embraced the adventures of wherever they landed and always found her purpose in that particular space. She leaves behind an endless legacy, to include (but most definitely not limited to) teaching English to Farsi speaking women in Iran, participating as a member of a USO dance troop in the Philippines, volunteering as team mom for her children’s numerous activities, and being the social butterfly at any event. The grass never stood a chance at growing under her feet.
While she always prioritized everyone over herself, she managed to curate a meaningful and successful career in the field of medical records administration. She dedicated decades of her story to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla., where she quickly advanced into the role of medical records director, all while making it a mandatory practice to spend nearly every Friday with her mother. From that accomplishment, she went on to Healthcare First USA, where she was an advocate in healthcare awareness and education within the underprivileged communities of St. Louis. Outside of working hours, Daphne always found a way to continue with her love of dance–jazzercise, adult ballet and tap, ballroom dancing, line dancing; however, once she took a Zumba class, it was an instant addiction. Upon retirement, when she wasn’t traveling the world, she earned her Zumba Instructor Certification, knowing that she had a mission to infect as many people as possible; and it’s safe to say, she was virally successful, even conducting online classes during COVID and seated classes during her illness.
While Daphne and Don initially retired up in the breathtaking mountains of Cashiers, N.C., they recently found their way back to the South, settling in Crystal Springs, spending her final days surrounded by close family while deeply rooted in a past that she treasured. To know her was to absolutely love her. She preferred hugs over handshakes, black licorice over red, malts over milkshakes, homemade costumes over store-bought. She would never be caught without lipstick, sunglasses, hand cream, Altoids, Kleenex, and a few packets of Sweet N Low in her purse. She loved hard, unconditionally, and without abandon. She was also known to start many a line dance, literally anywhere she felt.
Beautifully and peacefully, Daphne is survived by her husband, Donald Robert Terrill, of Crystal Springs; her son, Justin Alexander Terrill (sp. Kristin), of Sunset Hills, Mo.; grandsons, Jackson and Cooper, granddaughter, Katie Beth; her daughter, Allison Dabney Terrill, of Oceanside, Clif.; grandson, Tyler, granddaughter, Abigail, and great-grandson, Kingston; her sister, Cynthia Dabney Stevens (sp. Jack), of Memphis, Tenn.; her brother, James Conway Dabney II, of Clearwater, Fla.; also, with boundless love, a myriad of family including her niece, nephews, cousins, and so many beyond who, along with countless friends, completed her world.
May we all dance like no one is watching, knowing that Daphne will be leading the count in her forever after.
In lieu of flowers, at your will, please make a donation to The Shriner’s organization at loveshriners.org.
The visitation and service will be held at 3 and 5 p.m. respectively on Dec. 29 at Stringer Funeral Home in Crystal Springs. The burial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 30 at Oxford Memorial Cemetery in Oxford.
