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• Daisy Werthan Daisy is a 72-year-old widow and former school teacher when the play begins in 1948 and 97-years-old when the play ends. After getting into a car accident while backing out of her garage, Daisy’s son Boolie decides she is too old to drive.  Despite her old age, however, she maintains her sense of self, which is characterized by her humor and determined will – but at 97, she is softer and more vulnerable (Christensen 3).

• Hoke Colburn Hoke - who is 60 years old at the beginning of the play & 85 years old at the end, isan uneducated, unemployed, African American Christian man and a member of the working class who is hired by Boolie Werthan, Daisy’s son, to work as his mother’s driver after she has her car accident. He is grateful for the job and remains respectful, patient, and tolerant of Daisy’s impertinence andprejudices. At different times throughout the play, Hoke speaks his mind, maintains his dignity and is a self-advocate of his rights. The financial stability gained by being employed by Boolie over the 25- year period allows Hoke to gain greater self-confidence and self- respect 

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• Boolie Werthan Boolie - is Daisy’s son. He is 40-years-old when the play begins in 1948 and 65-years-old at the end of the play (1973). He has inherited his father’s printing company and as years progress it makes him one of the best established, leading businessmen of his community. Boolie becomes increasing aware of how he might be perceived by others in his community, and, as a result, becomes very careful not to be viewed in ways that might have a negative effect on his public image. Boolie is diligent in making sure Daisy is taken care of financially and physically but, at times, is insensitive to her feelings. Like his mother, he exercises the same determination and will, which causes him to sometimes neglect Daisy’s true desires; he falls short of fully understanding her actions. Most times, he humors his mother’s stubborn ways rather than taking the time to understand them.