Virginia Pearl Dollard
1923 - 2015
Obituary
Virginia Pearl Dollard, 92, of Newton,
Kansas died November 11, 2015. She was born on July 4th, 1923 to Roy
Lee and Mollie Hyatt Dollard in Attica, Kansas. When Virginia was
three – years – old, the family moved to the farm outside Attica
where her Father raised cattle, hogs, wheat, corn milo and soy beans
and her Mother was a homemaker. No other children were born to this
marriage.
Virginia graduated from Attica High
School in 1940. She attended The Kansas State Teachers College in
Pittsburg, Kansas where she earned her Bachelor of Science in
Education degree in 1947.
She began her career by teaching three
years in Alva, Oklahoma – commuting with a group of Teachers from
the Attica – Pratt area each week. This was part of her degree
requirements from Pittsburg College. Virginia moved to Pratt, Kansas
and completed her Masters of Education degree from Northwestern State
College at Alva Oklahoma in 1969. All the while she was still helping
her parents manage the farm. Virginia taught Third and Fourth Grade
in Pratt for 39 years. She was a team Teacher with her longtime
friend Dortha Meireis. They were given the students who needed
special teaching or were discipline problems. She was elected Teacher
of the Year by her peers at USD 382 Pratt, Kansas in 1986. While
teaching, she was active in a number of Pratt National Education
Association posts, the Southwest Parent – Teacher Organization and
was on the Faculty Council. She also gave of her educational
expertise at the time by serving in the Pratt Christian Church as
Chairman of the Education Committee, teaching Sunday school, teaching
Vacation Bible School, and serving on the Church Board.
She once explained her philosophy of
teaching this way, "I try to promote the opportunity for each
child to acquire the educational skills needed, to promote a positive
feeling of "I can", and promote a concern and appreciation
for others."
Virginia retired from teaching in 1986,
but remained active in her church on several committees. She also
took care of her ailing parents and managed the farm until it was
sold. In 1988, she received the Public Service Award from the Pratt
Jaycees. She was a member of the Kansas Congress of Parents and
Teachers, a Charter member of the City of Faith Medical &
Research Center, a Charter member of the member of the Statue of
Liberty Ellis island Foundation, and a member of the Positive
Thinkers Club. Virginia moved to an apartment on the Kansas Christian
Home campus in 1998. She became a member of the First Christian
Church, Disciples of Christ where she worked tirelessly helping
prepare for the Bazaar, Garage Sale, serving on committees, preparing
and taking food when needed, and being a Good Shepherd. Everywhere
she went, she taught those around her with her gentle ways, her
encouraging words, and by her example.
She loved the Lord and was a true
servant of His, always serving and loving God's people.
Visitation will be held Sunday November
15, 2015 at Petersen Funeral Home from 1-5 p.m. Funeral Service will
be held at First Christian Church in Newton on Monday November 16th
at 10:00 a.m., with burial following in Attica District Cemetery at
2:30 p.m. Memorials may be made out to Legacy of John.
