Sept. 4, 1944 – July 5, 2016

NATCHEZ — Services for B. Fredericka Cain Todd, Ph.D., 71, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, July 5, 2016, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church with the Rev. Birdon Mitchell Jr. officiating. 

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of R.E. Tyler Funeral Home in Brookhaven.

Mrs. Todd was born Sept. 4, 1944, in Detroit, but claimed Clarksdale as her home. She was the daughter of Frederick David Cain and Earnestine Robertson Cain.

Mrs. Todd was a graduate of W.A. Higgins High School in Clarksdale. She received a bachelor of science degree in special education from Jackson State University, a master’s of art degree in educational psychology from Tennessee State University and attained 45 hours of advanced study of special education at the University of Southern Mississippi, followed by additional graduate study in higher education at the University of Mississippi. In May 1989, she received a doctor of philosophy degree in educational administration and supervision with cognates in business management from USM. She had one post-doctoral study at the USM and St. John’s University in New York, N.Y.

Mrs. Todd worked in education for a number of years, beginning in special education in the Louisville Public School System in Louisville, Ky., as a remedial reading teacher in Drew Municipal School district in Drew. She worked part-time as a psychology instructor at Natchez College. She was testing team chairman at the Mississippi State Department of Education in Brookhaven. She served as an adjunct instructor of special education at USM in Natchez, adult education teacher at Metropolitan Nashville Public School District, vocational teacher at Goodwill Industries in Nashville and was a post-doctoral student in educational leadership at USM. Her continuing education included National Medical Association (health care administration), Mississippi Department of Education, USM.

Mrs. Todd also served as executive director of the Natchez Rural Health Clinic Inc., and junior college president.

She was the first director of the Office of Special Services at USM in 1975. This was a federally funded program designed to meet the academic, social and cultural needs of students of primarily first-generation college aspirants. She lead this program to distinction status and, it was recognized as a top program in the southeastern United States. She was also the assistant principal at W.H. Jones Eds. She implemented numerous award-winning programs and incentives of high achievement. She was recognized by the Hattiesburg City Council for her exemplary work.

Mrs. Todd was a charter member of the Natchez Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and a charter member of The Natchez Mississippi Chapter of The Links Incorporated.

She enjoyed reading, creative writing, international travel, music and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Survivors include her husband, J.R. Todd Jr., M.D.; two sons, Christopher Breckinridge Todd of Kenner, La., and Frederick David Todd of Natchez; one sister, Deborah Roberson Fielder and husband, Kerry, of Hattiesburg; two grandchildren, Kyaira and Frederick Daniel Todd; one great-grandchild, Kylee Smith; and a number of other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be sent to tylerfuneralhome.com.