Mrs. Freddye A. Cairo was born in Cherokee County, Jacksonville, Texas to the union of Emmitt Arnwine and Laura Freeman Arnwine on November 5, 1934. She was preceded in death by her parents, Emmitte Arnwine and Laura Freeman Arnwine; brother W. C. Arnwine; sisters Sara A. Clay; Farilla A. McGowan; Emmittee A. Ragsdale; Ruth A. Whitaker; nephews Godfrey Ragsdale and Paul B. Ragsdale as well as her husband Wardell Cairo.
She professed Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Haven Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, Texas. She graduated from Fred Douglass High School in Jacksonville, Texas. Her education was continued at Huston-Tillotson College, Austin,Texas where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree.
On July 9, 1971 she married Wardell Cairo of Austin, Texas and made Austin their home. She became an active member of Joshua Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on September 6, 1996 under the leadership of Reverend Debra Guillory. She faithfully served as Sunday School Superintendent, Church Treasurer and lead Stewardess.
Mrs. Freddye A. Cairo’s professional career extended over 30 years as an educator serving in the Austin Independent School District. She started as an elementary teacher at Palm Elementary and later worked at John H. Reagan High School to help find jobs and place students with special needs. The pride she showed through hard work in church, community, civic, social and professional organizations was evidenced throughher affiliations as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association. Her hobbies were dancing, sewing and listening to good music.
On December 4, 2019 in the evening, Mrs. Freddye A. Cairo took her last breathe and entered into eternal sleep. She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Francene Y. Finnen (Harvey Finnen II), Pflugerville, Texas; Grandson: Harvey Finnen III Austin, Texas; Granddaughter: Franchesska Y. Finnen, Pflugerville, Texas; Great-Grand daughter; Fenise N. Finnen of Pflugerville, Texas; Two sisters: Elmar A. Tilley of Dallas, Texas; Effie A. Clark, Killeen, Texas; one niece: Laurene Ragsdale, Dallas, Texas and a host of other relatives and friends.
