A Life of Community Involvement

Miss Tabitha served as President of the Farmville Literacy Club, was chairman of the health division of the public welfare department of District 15 State Federation of Women’s Clubs, and in March 1939 (in honor of Forestry Week) Miss Tabitha was the chairman of planting trees along the Farmville-Fountain Highway.   In 1940, Miss Tabitha had a wildlife sanctuary established on her farm under the Cooperative Farm Game Program. Also in Sept. 1940, Miss Tabitha organized a Bird Club at her home to teach children about wildlife.  She was on the committee running the Red Cross Sewing Room and in 1942 she was appointed Home Service chairman for the Red Cross assisting veterans and their families.  Miss Tabitha got a Servicemen’s Center opened in Farmville on Dec. 24, 1944. When it was impossible for the hostesses to secure accommodations for the weekend visitors, she opened her home to them. In June 1944, the Benjamin May Chapter of the DAR presented Miss Tabitha the insignia of the National Society in recognition for her splendid service as Director of the Farmville Servicemen’s Center. In July and August of 1945, she was named secretary of the Farmville Woman’s Club and President of the Garden Club. She was a member of the Literary Club and was Chairman for the Literary Club sponsored Tuberculosis Christmas Seal Sale for many years.  In 1947, Ms. Tabitha was elected to the board of directors of the re-organized Pitt County Tuberculosis Association. In Oct. 1948, she was elected secretary-treasurer of the District DAR. At the dedication of the DAR house on Apr. 29, 1949, Ms. Tabitha was named Flag custodian for the celebration. In Jan. 1952, Ms. Tabitha was named to the Council of Church Women Welfare committee. Ms. Tabitha was very active and served as first secretary of the reorganized Pitt County Historical Society in 1952; was a member of the Queen Anne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Colonists in 1953; Daughters of the War of 1812; was on the Bicentennial Committee’s Planning Board; a member of the Eastern Carolina Stamp Club; and was a member of the Farmville Golden Age Club. In 1977, Miss Tabitha was named “Woman of the Year” by the Junior Woman’s Club and June 11, 1977, was called “Miss Tabitha DeVisconti Day” by the Major Benjamin May Chapter of the DAR. Miss Tabitha had a roan horse that her mother used to own, named “Baby.” She had a stable built for her on the grounds of the May house. Baby was more than 30 years old at her death. Miss Tabitha also had a white Eskimo Spitz named “Eski,” who came to live with her at the death of her sister, Sue May Sheppard in 1946. Both pets were buried on the grounds of the James W. May house.