Lafayette Frederick, PhD

/ In Memoriam / By
Hayti Central High School alumnus, Dr. Lafayette Frederick passed away on December 29, 2018, at the age of 95. 
Please keep his wife of 68 years, Mrs. Antoinette Frederick, their three children and numerous grandchildren in your prayers.

His home-going will be held: Saturday January 5, 2019  at 11:00 am on the campus of Tuskegee University at                                  Tuskegee University Chapel                                                                                                                                                                     200 W. Montgomery St.                                                                                                                                                                           Tuskegee, AL 36088   (334)727-8011

Messages and condolences may be sent to:

Peoples Funeral Home                                                                                                                                                                            500 Fonville St.,                                                                                                                                                                                       Tuskegee, AL. 36803     (334)727-0140

Lafayette Frederick, PhD was born March 19, 1923 in Dog Bog, Mississippi.  At the age of one, the family relocated to Southeast Missouri where he grew up from very humble beginnings.  He began his educational journey in the Bootheel of Missouri.

  • He graduated from a one room elementary school in a rural community at the age of 11.
  • He graduated from 10th grade at Hayti Central High School in 1937.
  • He graduated from 12th grade at Washington High School , Caruthersville, MO in 1939.

He continued his educational journey in Alabama at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama at the age of 16.

  • He graduated from Tuskegee Institute with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 1943.
  • He began graduate studies at the University of Hawaii
  • Received a Master of Science Degree in Botany from the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI. in 1950

NOTE:  He was one of the first Blacks to enter the field of botany.

While doing research in Hawaii, his collection and description of the species of a native shrub  was named in his honor: Cyrtandra frederickii

  • He received his PhD in Plant Pathology with a minor in Botany from the Washington State University
  • He did post-doctoral studies at Cornell University; University of Illinois and University of Michigan.

Dr. Frederick was an international renown mycologist, outstanding educator and researcher throughout his career.  Over the years, he  received praise and recognition for his scholarly contributions and dedication to students as well as his contributions in research.  It impossible for me to share with you the numerous professional activities he has been engaged in, the academic and professional positions at prestigious institutions he has held, or to list the many awards and honors he received during his lifetime.

**Submitted by Hazel Townes Dalton

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