On July 31, Daphne lost one of its most distinguished citizens, Ulysee Sexton Thompson. She lived a long life and she lived it well, serving as an inspiration to all who knew her.

My life was blessed, as she worked for my family for many years. She gave me my first real glimpse of a world outside of my own, by bringing with her each and every day her own essence of true dignity and a noble countenance. She worked hard, she loved us, and she let us love her. Meanwhile she cared for her family and for countless others with selfless dedication.

During the ‘60s, while the rest of the country was embroiled in racial conflict, Daphne must have seemed other-worldly. Not that we had no conflicts of our own — we did — as I am sure many will attest. As a child, however, my own definitions of race were quietly unfolding. My father, Glen Jordan, by his daily example, taught me about fairness and the inherent dignity of the individual. And Mrs. Ulysee Thompson, with her nobility of spirit and her abiding grace, taught me about unconditional love, something that transcends the color of one’s skin.

Mrs. Ulysee never talked about racism; in fact, I never heard one negative word from her lips. Instead she lived a pure life and in this way she taught others about fairness, forgiveness and a faith that had a force of its own: it pulled us toward her like gravity, kept us on course, and gave our direction meaning.

When she died last week at the age of 92, she left behind a legacy that will endure. I know that I speak for others when I say that because of her my life is transformed: she truly is the heroine of my heart.