Georgia M. Dunlap

Mrs. Georgia M. West Dunlap, well-known Jonesboro educator, passed away Saturday morning, November 10th in St. Bernards Regional Medical Center at the age of 94. Mrs. Dunlap was born, December 15, 1917, in Cash to parents, Frank and Addie West. She graduated from Cash High School in 1936 and earned her teaching certificate from what was then Harding College in less than a year.

While teaching, at age 22, she married Pete Dunlap. They had two daughters who survive Mrs. Dunlap: Sharon Porter and husband, Wallace of Jonesboro, and Gail Sowell and husband, Wayne, of West Plains, MO. Mr. Dunlap preceded her in death on November 8th, 1994.

Grandchildren are Jim Turner, Los Angeles, Leigh Ann Morrison, West Plains, MO, Susan Overton, Jonesboro, AR , John Porter, Memphis, TN., Shawnie Sowell Lowther, Thayer, MO, Margi Sowell Cook , St. Louis, and Vicki Sowell Bohnenkamp, Austin TX.,

Great grandchildren are Trista, CJ, and Cole Morrison, Will and Georgia Overton, Talon Lawrence, Logan Lowther, Ben and Andrew Cook, and Bexar Bohnenkamp.

Mrs. Dunlap is also survived by one brother, Jerry West and wife, Anita, of Jonesboro, several nieces and nephews, and a special friend, Elaine Freeman, of St. Bernard Village, Jonesboro.

Georgia’s teaching career began at Cothern, AR, a two room school two miles south of Lake City, when a college degree was not required for one to teach. However, she had 30 hours from her one year of college at Harding Academy and she received her teaching certificate. After attending Harding College for one year, she received her BSE at ASU and in 1955 obtained her MSE degree from the University of Arkansas. Later she extended her education with 45 hours plus.

While at Cothern she met and married Pete Dunlap before ending her three years of service in the two-room school. They moved to Michigan and after the birth of her two daughters returned to Arkansas, where she taught in the Nettleton District for three years before entering the Jonesboro School District.

She began in North School in 1949 teaching first and second grades and in 1959 was asked to serve as principal at North and remained there until 1987. While at North School Mrs. Dunlap was selected as the Outstanding Principal of the Year for the state of Arkansas in 1978-79.

After retiring from North School in 1987, Georgia was not ready to call her education career quits and in the summer met Dr. Jane Jamison who hired her to fill the part time parent teacher coordinator position. This became another fulfilled dream of hers until the age of 90 when she again retired from Jonesboro Public Schools, having 65 years to her credit.

Mrs. Dunlap was very active in several organizations. She was president of the Northeast AR Senior Citizens, Delta Kappa Gamma, Kappa Delta Pi, North School Classics, Arkansas Retired Teachers and a member of the Southwest Church of Christ, having been baptized at an early age. She taught several Sunday School classes and worked in the Better Life Center for a number of years.

Those preceding her in death are her husband, her parents, and three brothers.

She leaves a host of friends, colleagues, and former students.

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at Southwest Church of Christ with Dr. Jimmy Adcox officiating. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be private.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Sharp, John Porter, Cole Morrison, Wayne Sowell, Jim Turner, Jerry West, Dr. Steve Woodruff, Wallace Porter, and the North School Classics.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the church.

Donations may be made to the Children’s Home at Paragould, 5515 Walcott, Paragould, Arkansas, 72450.