Dorothy Jean Bell Lucas was a trailblazer. Throughout her life, she was known as a forward-thinking individual and valued education in all areas. Her endeavors were those of a true Renaissance woman. She graduated from LJ Rowan High School and earned a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Reading Education from Jackson State University.
Early in her career as an educator, Hattiesburg Public School District selected her as the inaugural teacher in the Pilot Teachers' Program to integrate Jones Elementary School. She was a teacher of the year and Staff Development Coordinator for the Hattiesburg Public School District. She was a Clinical Instructor for The University of Southern Mississippi and a Teacher Assessment Evaluator for the Mississippi Department of Education.
Her devotion to education resulted in her being awarded the Zeon Science Grant. She later presented at the National Science Teacher Association Convention. Her involvement in education at the national level continued when she became a charter member of the National Women's History Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Mrs. Lucas was also an inspiring author of two fiction books: Grammie's Magic Words, and Miles Away from My Dad; two inspirational faith-based books including: God's Wisdom for Successful Happy Ladies, and The Blessings of Faith. The work of which she was most proud was her only non-fiction book, Memories: Royal Street-L.J. Rowan A Cultural Legacy 1950-1970, which chronicled esteemed graduates of Rowan High School. The events storied in this book have been credited as the inspiration for the restoration of Eureka High School and its conversion into a Civil Rights Museum. She was also published in the Impact and Hattiesburg American newspapers. Other creative works of Mrs. Lucas include her watercolor arts which have been showcased at the Hattiesburg Cultural Center.
She served her community through her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated, serving as president of the Theta Sigma Omega Chapter of Hattiesburg, Cluster Coordinator of the Southeastern Region for Cluster Five, graduate advisor at USM's Iota Kappa chapter, and was a chartering member of Alpha Beta Theta Omega chapter in Laurel, Mississippi.
The meaningful Organizational memberships to Mrs. Lucas include Who's Who in Mississippi, the NAACP, National Educator Association/MS Association of Education, Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She enjoyed lifetime membership in each of these.
Dorothy was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church until her marriage to Hersie Lucas in 1964. Following their marriage, they both attended Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Lucas preceded her in death on July 15, 2022.
Dorothy, the fourth of five children born of the late Louise Collins and Bert Bell, Sr., was born on April 4, 1940, in Hattiesburg, MS. She entered Heaven on July 19, 2023. Her memory will be cherished by family members, including two children, Svetlana Lucas and Tennille Rhodes (James), three grandchildren (E. Xavier Lucas-Cooper, Tatum Olivia Rhodes, and Jacob Lucas Rhodes), and one brother Bert Bell, Jr. (Joyce).
SOURCE: Forrest Funeral Home; Hattiesburg, MS (27 July 2023)
Early in her career as an educator, Hattiesburg Public School District selected her as the inaugural teacher in the Pilot Teachers' Program to integrate Jones Elementary School. She was a teacher of the year and Staff Development Coordinator for the Hattiesburg Public School District. She was a Clinical Instructor for The University of Southern Mississippi and a Teacher Assessment Evaluator for the Mississippi Department of Education.
Her devotion to education resulted in her being awarded the Zeon Science Grant. She later presented at the National Science Teacher Association Convention. Her involvement in education at the national level continued when she became a charter member of the National Women's History Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Mrs. Lucas was also an inspiring author of two fiction books: Grammie's Magic Words, and Miles Away from My Dad; two inspirational faith-based books including: God's Wisdom for Successful Happy Ladies, and The Blessings of Faith. The work of which she was most proud was her only non-fiction book, Memories: Royal Street-L.J. Rowan A Cultural Legacy 1950-1970, which chronicled esteemed graduates of Rowan High School. The events storied in this book have been credited as the inspiration for the restoration of Eureka High School and its conversion into a Civil Rights Museum. She was also published in the Impact and Hattiesburg American newspapers. Other creative works of Mrs. Lucas include her watercolor arts which have been showcased at the Hattiesburg Cultural Center.
She served her community through her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated, serving as president of the Theta Sigma Omega Chapter of Hattiesburg, Cluster Coordinator of the Southeastern Region for Cluster Five, graduate advisor at USM's Iota Kappa chapter, and was a chartering member of Alpha Beta Theta Omega chapter in Laurel, Mississippi.
The meaningful Organizational memberships to Mrs. Lucas include Who's Who in Mississippi, the NAACP, National Educator Association/MS Association of Education, Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She enjoyed lifetime membership in each of these.
Dorothy was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church until her marriage to Hersie Lucas in 1964. Following their marriage, they both attended Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Lucas preceded her in death on July 15, 2022.
Dorothy, the fourth of five children born of the late Louise Collins and Bert Bell, Sr., was born on April 4, 1940, in Hattiesburg, MS. She entered Heaven on July 19, 2023. Her memory will be cherished by family members, including two children, Svetlana Lucas and Tennille Rhodes (James), three grandchildren (E. Xavier Lucas-Cooper, Tatum Olivia Rhodes, and Jacob Lucas Rhodes), and one brother Bert Bell, Jr. (Joyce).
SOURCE: Forrest Funeral Home; Hattiesburg, MS (27 July 2023)
Dorothy Jean Bell Lucas was a trailblazer. Throughout her life, she was known as a forward-thinking individual and valued education in all areas. Her endeavors were those of a true Renaissance woman. She graduated from LJ Rowan High School and earned a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Reading Education from Jackson State University.
Early in her career as an educator, Hattiesburg Public School District selected her as the inaugural teacher in the Pilot Teachers' Program to integrate Jones Elementary School. She was a teacher of the year and Staff Development Coordinator for the Hattiesburg Public School District. She was a Clinical Instructor for The University of Southern Mississippi and a Teacher Assessment Evaluator for the Mississippi Department of Education.
Her devotion to education resulted in her being awarded the Zeon Science Grant. She later presented at the National Science Teacher Association Convention. Her involvement in education at the national level continued when she became a charter member of the National Women's History Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Mrs. Lucas was also an inspiring author of two fiction books: Grammie's Magic Words, and Miles Away from My Dad; two inspirational faith-based books including: God's Wisdom for Successful Happy Ladies, and The Blessings of Faith. The work of which she was most proud was her only non-fiction book, Memories: Royal Street-L.J. Rowan A Cultural Legacy 1950-1970, which chronicled esteemed graduates of Rowan High School. The events storied in this book have been credited as the inspiration for the restoration of Eureka High School and its conversion into a Civil Rights Museum. She was also published in the Impact and Hattiesburg American newspapers. Other creative works of Mrs. Lucas include her watercolor arts which have been showcased at the Hattiesburg Cultural Center.
She served her community through her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated, serving as president of the Theta Sigma Omega Chapter of Hattiesburg, Cluster Coordinator of the Southeastern Region for Cluster Five, graduate advisor at USM's Iota Kappa chapter, and was a chartering member of Alpha Beta Theta Omega chapter in Laurel, Mississippi.
The meaningful Organizational memberships to Mrs. Lucas include Who's Who in Mississippi, the NAACP, National Educator Association/MS Association of Education, Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She enjoyed lifetime membership in each of these.
Dorothy was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church until her marriage to Hersie Lucas in 1964. Following their marriage, they both attended Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Lucas preceded her in death on July 15, 2022.
Dorothy, the fourth of five children born of the late Louise Collins and Bert Bell, Sr., was born on April 4, 1940, in Hattiesburg, MS. She entered Heaven on July 19, 2023. Her memory will be cherished by family members, including two children, Svetlana Lucas and Tennille Rhodes (James), three grandchildren (E. Xavier Lucas-Cooper, Tatum Olivia Rhodes, and Jacob Lucas Rhodes), and one brother Bert Bell, Jr. (Joyce).
SOURCE: Forrest Funeral Home; Hattiesburg, MS (27 July 2023)
Early in her career as an educator, Hattiesburg Public School District selected her as the inaugural teacher in the Pilot Teachers' Program to integrate Jones Elementary School. She was a teacher of the year and Staff Development Coordinator for the Hattiesburg Public School District. She was a Clinical Instructor for The University of Southern Mississippi and a Teacher Assessment Evaluator for the Mississippi Department of Education.
Her devotion to education resulted in her being awarded the Zeon Science Grant. She later presented at the National Science Teacher Association Convention. Her involvement in education at the national level continued when she became a charter member of the National Women's History Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Mrs. Lucas was also an inspiring author of two fiction books: Grammie's Magic Words, and Miles Away from My Dad; two inspirational faith-based books including: God's Wisdom for Successful Happy Ladies, and The Blessings of Faith. The work of which she was most proud was her only non-fiction book, Memories: Royal Street-L.J. Rowan A Cultural Legacy 1950-1970, which chronicled esteemed graduates of Rowan High School. The events storied in this book have been credited as the inspiration for the restoration of Eureka High School and its conversion into a Civil Rights Museum. She was also published in the Impact and Hattiesburg American newspapers. Other creative works of Mrs. Lucas include her watercolor arts which have been showcased at the Hattiesburg Cultural Center.
She served her community through her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated, serving as president of the Theta Sigma Omega Chapter of Hattiesburg, Cluster Coordinator of the Southeastern Region for Cluster Five, graduate advisor at USM's Iota Kappa chapter, and was a chartering member of Alpha Beta Theta Omega chapter in Laurel, Mississippi.
The meaningful Organizational memberships to Mrs. Lucas include Who's Who in Mississippi, the NAACP, National Educator Association/MS Association of Education, Retired Education Personnel of Mississippi, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She enjoyed lifetime membership in each of these.
Dorothy was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church until her marriage to Hersie Lucas in 1964. Following their marriage, they both attended Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Lucas preceded her in death on July 15, 2022.
Dorothy, the fourth of five children born of the late Louise Collins and Bert Bell, Sr., was born on April 4, 1940, in Hattiesburg, MS. She entered Heaven on July 19, 2023. Her memory will be cherished by family members, including two children, Svetlana Lucas and Tennille Rhodes (James), three grandchildren (E. Xavier Lucas-Cooper, Tatum Olivia Rhodes, and Jacob Lucas Rhodes), and one brother Bert Bell, Jr. (Joyce).
SOURCE: Forrest Funeral Home; Hattiesburg, MS (27 July 2023)
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