Life Story for Arnett Kenneth Waddell
Arnett Kenneth Waddell was born July 23, 1932, to Mr. and Mrs. Willie and Mabel Brown Waddell, Sr., in Jacksonville, Florida, the third of four children. He was nurtured in a loving home and he attended Mt. Olive AME Church with his family, where he accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord at the age of 13. He was baptized and participated in the youth activities of the church.
As a teen, Arnett became more involved in sports activities. He was educated in the Duval County School System, and was a standout as a tackle for the (Old) Stanton Senior High Blue Devils. Arnett, known by many as Daddy Rabbit, Big Bill or Big Waddell, was selected to participate as player #59 with the City and State Football Champs. Upon graduation, he attended Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA, earning a BS in Science with a minor in Physical Education in 1955. He had also attended Atlanta University for two Summers in 1953 and 1954. Remaining in Atlanta after graduation, Arnett was employed by the Peachtree Golf and Country Club and subsequently the Atlanta Athletic Club. Moving back to Jacksonville, he became employed by ABC as an Ordering Supervisor for the Westside for 15 years . Arnett was connected with the Sigma Phi Beta Fraternity and the Morris Brown Alumni-Jacksonville Chapter. He returned to Mt. Olive Church and served on the Pastor’s Aid Society; the current pastor is Rev. James Cleare.
As his health began to wane and it became difficult for Mr. Waddell to attend Mt. Olive, Pastor Wendell C. Webster of New Fountain Chapel AME Church visited him often in the nursing homes and regularly served him Holy Communion.
Brother Arnett K. Waddell passed away peacefully on January 30, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Waddell, Sr.; wife, Alice Hall Waddell; siblings, Willie Waddell, Jr., Dr. Maurice Waddell and Delores Waddell Terry; and a good friend and companion, Zelma L. Damon.
His memory will be cherished by his nieces, Jackie Brown, Sharon Waddell, Dr, Doris Waddell Gilliam, and Marcia Waddell; nephews, Dr. John and Douglas Waddell; first cousins, Johnnie Mae Hopkins, Eunice Harmon and Rev. Kelly Brown; sister-in-law, Doris Waddell; godson, Albert Evans (Marilyn); devoted cousin, Bruce Harmon; like daughters, Leila Brown and Dominique Mann; Stanton classmates/special friends, Betty Donaldson Prichard and Rev. Charles Scriven; friend and representive, Shirley Jordan; and a host of other relatives and friends.
As a teen, Arnett became more involved in sports activities. He was educated in the Duval County School System, and was a standout as a tackle for the (Old) Stanton Senior High Blue Devils. Arnett, known by many as Daddy Rabbit, Big Bill or Big Waddell, was selected to participate as player #59 with the City and State Football Champs. Upon graduation, he attended Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA, earning a BS in Science with a minor in Physical Education in 1955. He had also attended Atlanta University for two Summers in 1953 and 1954. Remaining in Atlanta after graduation, Arnett was employed by the Peachtree Golf and Country Club and subsequently the Atlanta Athletic Club. Moving back to Jacksonville, he became employed by ABC as an Ordering Supervisor for the Westside for 15 years . Arnett was connected with the Sigma Phi Beta Fraternity and the Morris Brown Alumni-Jacksonville Chapter. He returned to Mt. Olive Church and served on the Pastor’s Aid Society; the current pastor is Rev. James Cleare.
As his health began to wane and it became difficult for Mr. Waddell to attend Mt. Olive, Pastor Wendell C. Webster of New Fountain Chapel AME Church visited him often in the nursing homes and regularly served him Holy Communion.
Brother Arnett K. Waddell passed away peacefully on January 30, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Waddell, Sr.; wife, Alice Hall Waddell; siblings, Willie Waddell, Jr., Dr. Maurice Waddell and Delores Waddell Terry; and a good friend and companion, Zelma L. Damon.
His memory will be cherished by his nieces, Jackie Brown, Sharon Waddell, Dr, Doris Waddell Gilliam, and Marcia Waddell; nephews, Dr. John and Douglas Waddell; first cousins, Johnnie Mae Hopkins, Eunice Harmon and Rev. Kelly Brown; sister-in-law, Doris Waddell; godson, Albert Evans (Marilyn); devoted cousin, Bruce Harmon; like daughters, Leila Brown and Dominique Mann; Stanton classmates/special friends, Betty Donaldson Prichard and Rev. Charles Scriven; friend and representive, Shirley Jordan; and a host of other relatives and friends.