Gay Kimbrough Dull

Gay Kimbrough Dull died May 26, 2018, at the age of 88.  Born in Miami, FL,  the daughter of DuPont and Gertrude Kimbrough, she graduated from College Park High School, was awarded her B .S. from Georgia Southern University, a Master’s Degree from Peabody College (now Vanderbilt) and a Library/Science certification from Georgia State University.  Upon graduation from Georgia Southern she was honored for her leadership and service to the college (GSU).  These qualities continued to epitomize her life in whatever endeavor she undertook.  At Peabody she served as president of the nation’s largest chapter of the Association of Childhood Education.  Later she served many years on the Georgia Southern Foundation Board and was the first Trustee to become an Emeritus.  Whether as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, student, volunteer or career person, she always gave her best efforts.

Gay’s teaching career began in the Atlanta Public Schools and continued on to the famous William McGuffey University Laboratory School at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  Her expertise was recognized when she was chosen “Ideal Teacher of Today” in Ohio in 1955.

At Miami University she met her husband, James E. Dull, an assistant Dean of Men, and they were married in 1955.  Two years later they moved to the Georgia Tech campus where Jim was an assistant Dean and in 1964 he became Dean of Students.  There they lived for 31 years, reared two sons, John and David, and became active participants in the Tech community.

Gay served as sponsor of the Dames Club for married student wives for 3 years and Treasurer of the Alpha Xi Delta Building Corporation for forty years with Shirley Mewborn as president.  They were honored by having the new sorority house named The Shirley Newborn/Gay Dull Alpha Xi Delta House. In 2012 Gay was awarded the Order of the Rose for fifty year membership.

Her husband and she had an open door policy and welcomed many students and alumni to their home.  She also served the Georgia Tech Faculty Women’s Club in many capacities, including President and received the Friendship Award in 2011.

In 1991 at Homecoming the GT Alumni Association selected her as an Honorary Alumna and she wore her ring with pride.  In 2005 she and Jim authored a book, “It’s For You” about their experiences of living on campus for 31 years.  It had two printings and was a quick sale with proceeds going to scholarship and student activities.

Following ten years as a full-time mom and home-maker she returned to the Atlanta Public Schools as a Library Media Specialist.  This required a return to college for certification before serving a series of three schools.  A program she developed was chosen as one of twenty-five exemplary programs in the USA.  Her next assignments were Resource Librarian for thirty-two schools in Area Three and later for eighty-two elementary schools city-wide.

Since 1957 she and her family have been members of Peachtree Christian Church, serving in various capacities.  Among other things she led the singing in the Partners Class for twenty years.  However, when she moved to Park Springs Retirement Community in 2008, driving became an issue and she found a church closer by, the Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where she felt happy in her new surroundings just as she had at her new retirement home.

She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Dr. John and Beth Dull, and David and Cindy Dull.  Her two grandchildren are Grant Dull and Taylor Dull White who is married to Brad White.  Her great-grandchildren are Macy White and Walker White.  They all were the joy of her life.

Her body will be cremated and inurned during a private service in the columbarium at Peachtree Christian Church with a memorial service at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  A reception will immediately follow the service in Stew Wood Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Peachtree Christian Church Heritage Fund at 1580 Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30309, Georgia Tech DramaTech Theater at Georgia Tech Foundation, 760 Spring Street, N.W., Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30308 or the Gay Kimbrough Dull University  Honors Program Scholarship at Georgia Southern University, University Advancement, P.O. Box 8053, Statesboro, GA 30460-8053.

Highlights

Gay Dull was born in Miami, Florida, the daughter of DuPont and Gertrude Kimbrough.  She grew up in South Fulton County, Georgia and graduated from College Park High School.

1. Received B.S. degree Georgia South
2. Taught in Atlanta Public Schools 2 years
3. Masters Degree from Peabody College (now Vanderbilt) 1954.
4. President Association of Childhood Education
5. Recruited to teach in the famous William McGuffey Laboratory School at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
6. Selected “Ideal Teacher of the Year” in Ohio
7. Met and married James E. Dull in 1955
8. Moved to Georgia Tech campus in 1957 – lived there 31 years. Wrote book about life on campus.
9. Had two sons, John (wife Beth), and David (wife Cindy).
10. Proudly supported husband who served 34 years as Dean of Students at Georgia Tech.
11. Served on the Georgia Southern Board of Trustees, then Emeritus.
12. Honored as Georgia Tech Alumna.
13. Back to college in Library Science
14. Her library program was selected one of 25 Exemplary programs in the U.S.A.
15. Completed career as Curriculum Specialist for 82 elementary schools media center.
16. Moved to Park Springs Retirement Community in 2008. Active in many organizations.
17. Jim died in 2009.
18. Active in her church, Peachtree Christian for 56 years. Later enjoyed fellowship at Eastminster Presbyterian after her move to Stone Mountain.
19. Above all she loved her family and was very proud of each ones accomplishments.