Editor:

Davida Hastie’s death is a loss to all Baldwin County. She demonstrated her love of the history of this county many times in many ways during her long lifetime. When it came to the history of North Baldwin County and Stockton, she was the go-to person whom we all called on to fill in the historical gaps.

A collector of published and unpublished material about this area, she was quick to share any information she had and just as quick to tell you if your question did not have a ready, factual answer. A person of great integrity, she would not stoop to supplement historical fact with historical fiction no matter what a great story it would have made.

Only a matter of days ago, I called Davida to ask what she knew about the original home and descendants of one of the early settlers of the original town of Blakeley. She promised to search her records. A few days after that, on Feb. 26, she appeared unexpectedly at the Blakeley Park office with copies for us of what information she had.

About that time Fred Nation dropped in and the three of us had a marvelous visit ending with plans to look into reprinting the popular book on native plants written by Fred and published by the Baldwin County Historical Society under Davida’s guidance. She offered to call the printer of the book and start the ball rolling toward reprinting. Her mind was sharp as could be, her interest in the various phases of the history of this county undiminished despite her age and, it now appears, possible health problems.

The only possible concession to aging she made that day was to bring me some other materials about an historical project she had been working on for many years and on which she asked for my help in the future. Be assured that I will follow through as she wished.

Although she was what some might call an “amateur historian,” Davida Hastie’s objective study, life-long collection of historic materials, integrity of research and deep love of her county and especially of all things Stockton put some more schooled “scholars” to shame.

We appreciate the blessings of the life of Davida Hastie. She was a fine, honest woman who looked for historical fact, shared it when she found it and refused to make it up when she did not. We join with her family and other friends in mourning her loss.

Director

Historic Blakeley State Park