Betty Dula Obituary, Death – Tunica County Community will definitely miss this leader, Mrs. Betty Jo Dulaney. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. She influenced so many via her efforts with reading and education for all ages in our county. Thank you Mrs. Dulaney for your service.
We’re all extremely saddened by the demise of former Community Foundation Board member, Betty Jo Dulaney. Our greatest sympathy are with her husband, William Dulaney, and family. We’re all extremely saddened by the demise of former Community Foundation Board member, Betty Jo Dulaney. Our greatest sympathy are with her husband, William Dulaney, and family.
Betty Jo was named the Margaret Maddox Woman of the Year at the 2015 Crystal Ball Gala. Betty Jo had 20 years of volunteer service making a difference in enhancing education for individuals and families in Tunica County. Betty Jo helped people learn to read and/or improve their reading skills through her leadership at the Tunica Literary Council, one of United Way’s network agency partners.
She broke away from the traditional concept of a literacy council and expanded the services to kids birth-kindergarten. The Council’s activities include literacy classes, pre-GED and GED skills classes, family literacy workshops, Mother Read/Father Read programs and tutoring at the recreation center for fire and disaster safety, and of course, a week-day child care center.
Because of her efforts with these young people, the 2014 School Readiness exam earned Tunica County the 2nd highest ranking in the state of Mississippi. Wanting to reach even more individuals of Tunica County, Dulaney developed a reading program at the county jail that enrolled 10 people.
She also launched the “Dress for Success” initiative, which helped women chose the right dress when heading for job interviews. The driving force for Betty Jo was to see former pupils who were successful and better their lives.