AL HR79

James Sherman McFadden was born May 16, 1879, in Beatrice, Alabama, and Amanda Findley was born February 1, 1888, in Campbell, Alabama; the couple was married 68 years and left a legacy including the McFadden Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In the 1930s, James Sherman and Amanda Findley McFadden donated land to the City of Thomasville for a school and park for Black children.

Both were distinguished educators who taught in multiple communities; Amanda taught in Thomasville, Choctaw Corner, and Grove Hill, while James taught in Morvin, Winn, Dixon Mills, and other nearby communities.

They were community activists and faithful members of Williams Temple C.M.E. Church; James served as a Mason and Amanda as an Eastern Star member; they sent five sons to serve during World War II.

The House of Representatives honors and commends James Sherman and Amanda Findley McFadden, with a bust dedicated in their honor at McFadden Park in Thomasville, Alabama in June 2016.