Betty Tucker Burroughs, age 84 passed away at Highlands Health & Rehab, with her children by her side, on Sunday, December 24th. She was the only daughter of Velon & Dicy Tucker of Grant, AL. She attended DAR school where she me the love of her life, Bill Burroughs whom she was married to for 56 years before he passed in 2011.
Betty attended Northeast Community Jr. college, University of Alabama in Huntsville Athens College before getting her Bachelor of Science degree in education. She went on to get her Masters degree from Alabama A & M.
Betty also completed post graduate work at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and University of Alabama. Betty was an Economics & Democracy teacher at Scottsboro High School for 25 years. She had a true heart for teaching. She was very patriotic and wanted her students to support the Democratic system of government. She also wanted students to vote by age 18. The Jackson County Board of Registrar swore her in as a deputy registrar to register her students to vote. Mrs. Burroughs also developed many units of study which were incorporated into may Alabama classrooms. She was recognized for her methods of teaching. She won the American award in 1984 and 1988 from the Scottish Rite organization. She was also nominated as Alabama teacher of the year. Mrs. Burroughs loved and respected her students and in turn felt they felt the same about her.
Betty was active in many professional organizations: NEA, AEA, JCEA and JC retired teachers. She was also a member of the Rho Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. Betty also served on the Jackson County housing authority.
Besides her true love for teaching, her family meant the world to her. The memories she made with her children and grandchildren brought her such joy. She also loved to travel after her retirement to all 50 states and many places abroad. She was a member of First Baptist Church for 51 years.
Betty is survived by her daughter Kelly Beavers (Billy); son Jeff Burroughs; grandson Cole Barkley (Nicole); great grandsons Wynn Barkley & Ellis Barkley; great granddaughter Amelia Claire Barkley and brother Travis Tucker. She had 3 sister in laws, 3 step grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Velon & Dicy Tucker; her husband Bill Burroughs; her brothers Bobby Tucker, Olon Tucker, Billy Tucker, and Nelson Tucker.
Visitation is Thursday, December 28th, from 5-7 p.m., at Rudder Funeral Home of Scottsboro. Funeral service will be held, Friday, December 29th, beginning at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Scottsboro, with Reverend Shandy Dill officiating. Burial is to follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made tho their charity of choice.
Pallbearers are nephews, Dr. J. Patrick Tucker, Brian Tucker, Brad Tucker, JP Tucker, Will Tucker, and Clay Tucker.
The family would like to express thanks foe the support and care of Highlands Health & Rehab and Aveana Hospice.
Memories and online condolences may be left for the family at www.rudderfuneralhomes.com
