Nancy Jo Timmons

She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Willie Juanita Doty Johnson; her brothers, Jake Johnson and Henry “Doug” Johnson; her sisters, Gladys Johnson Watkins and Wanda Johnson Jones; and her great-great-granddaughter, Violet Van Sickler.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Ben Timmons; her children, Greg, Keith, and Michael (Kathleen); and her grandchildren: Jason Weaver, David Timmons, Aaron Timmons, Megan Timmons, Maya Timmons (Jes Pratt), Adrian Timmons, and Michael Dwyer Timmons.

She is also survived by Greg’s stepchildren, Alex Williams and Christopher Williams; David, and Aaron’s mother, Tammie Van Meter; Alex and Christopher’s mother, Phyllis Devane; and Megan and Maya’s mother, Melissa Timmons.

Dr. Timmons leaves behind a growing legacy of great-grandchildren: Laila Weaver, Kieran Timmons, Caleb Timmons, Haidi Timmons, Aubrey Meier, Laila Timmons, and Benet Timmons—and a great-great-granddaughter, Hazel Van Sickler.

A lifelong educator and pioneer, Dr. Timmons earned her undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Prairie View A&M University, and both her Master’s and Doctorate from Baylor University. In 2005, she was honored as a Distinguished Black Alumni by Baylor. A leading voice in the field of education, she served on advisory committees for Pearson Education and President George W. Bush.

Dr. Timmons began her teaching career in the Rockdale Independent School District and went on to spend more than two decades as a teacher and administrator in the Temple ISD. In 1987, she joined the Fort Worth Independent School District, where she rose to the role of Executive Superintendent before her retirement.

Her passion for education was unwavering. Just six weeks after retiring, she returned to work as an independent consultant for Fort Worth ISD, the Philadelphia Public Schools, and the Government of Peru. She also served as a professor at The University of Texas at Dallas and Tarleton State University, continuing to mentor and inspire future educators until her final retirement in 2018.

Dr. Timmons was a force for good in every role she held—teacher, administrator, executive, consultant, professor, colleague, friend, daughter, sister, grandmother, mother, and wife. Her life’s work touched countless lives, and her presence will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor.