Mrs. Sarah Jane McNulty, age 97, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2023 at Coffee Regional Medical Center. Mrs. McNulty was born on May 5, 1926, in Douglas, GA, to the late Lewis Vickers and Emma M. Vickers.
After Mrs. McNulty’s marriage to Frank McNulty, they moved to Florida in 1960. Mrs. McNulty taught school in the Orange County schools as a reading-learning specialist. She also had elementary, junior high, and senior high teaching experience. She was president of her local reading council and president of the Florida Reading Association. Under her leadership, the state association mounted a collaborative effort to get state funding for Reading Resource Specialists in every Florida High School. She served six years as the state coordinator for IRA in Florida. She also served as an Educational Consultant and was an adjunct professor at Florida Southern College, Orlando campus. Later, Mrs. McNulty taught speed reading at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She and her husband were among the founders of the Anglican Cathedral of the Incarnation in Orlando, Florida where she served in many leadership capacities there.
Many years after she taught the second grade in Glynn County, GA., she was honored by the school. A second-grade student she taught posted a search for his teacher on the internet and she was found. The former student had obtained a doctorate degree in electrical engineering and was living in Seattle, Washington. He acknowledged her for instilling in him appreciation for learning. Jane was ahead of her time in the innovative teaching methods she used back in the 40’s and 50’s. She didn’t have any children of her own, but she loved and made an impact on the ones she taught.
Some of the other honors she received were:
Georgia State Chamber of Commerce, Teacher of the Year 1957
Leader of American Elementary Education for 1971
Outstanding Person in Reading in Orange County 1979-80
Who’s Who in the South and Southwest 1982-83
Personalities of America 1982-83
Teacher of the Year Howard Junior High School 1982-83
Jane had membership in:
Phi Delta Kappa, Alpha Delta Kappa, League of Women Voters and Chi Omega Sorority
When Jane retired she loved going on a cruise, playing bridge, reading or working in her yard. She was always a ray of sunshine to those around her and enjoyed life and laughter. She was loved dearly by her family and friends.
Survivors include: Sister, Nora V. Merritt of Douglas, GA; niece, Nora McGowan of Pearson, GA; niece Emma Bledsoe of Fernandina Beach, FL.; nephew, Lewis Riggle of Winter Park, FL.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank McNulty; parents Lewis and Emma M. Vickers; brothers, Lewis Vickers, Jr., Orville Vickers and Jack Vickers; sisters, Alice V. Mills, Opal V. Crabb, and Virginia V. Anderson; nephew, James Edwin Crabb.
The family would like to thank Barbara Mathis, Christy Medina, Bethany Hospice, and the staff at Lakeside Senior Living for the care provided by each.
Graveside services will be held at Douglas City Cemetery on 12/21/2023 with Carl McGowan officiating. Music will be provided by Carl McGowan and Emma Bledsoe.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakeside Senior Living, 1025 North Chester Avenue, Douglas, GA. 31533.
Sims Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.