Betty Matthews Dumas

As the eldest child of an Air Force officer, Betty's early years were spent in Arkansas, Texas and Nebraska. She began her college career at the University of Nebraska at age 15. After her father's career led the family to his final posting at MacDill AFB, she completed her undergraduate work at Tampa University before enlisting in the United States Air Force.

Betty's love of adventure inspired her to accept overseas teaching positions in the American owned oil fields of Venezuela and Department of Defense schools in England, Germany and Japan.

After her father's death Betty returned home to support her brother and mother. She had a long and successful career in Hillsborough County Public Schools where she was a teacher and administrator in the Department of Special Education. Betty was also actively involved in Special Olympics.

In her free time, Betty enjoyed reading, dancing, watching British TV shows, listening to classical music, sewing, painting, and sharing stories from the past. She often traveled with her brother, Bert, on Audubon adventures throughout Florida.

In pursuit of art, Betty co-founded an art cooperative in Hyde Park and remained active in that endeavor for many years. She also found community as Post Commander at her local American Legion and at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Tampa.

Betty is survived by her niece, Bonnie A. Rogers, her nephew, Glenn M. (Sandy) Rogers, and her great-nieces, Holly (Roberto) Rios and Heather Rogers. She was preceded in death by her father, Major (Ret.) Bert M. Dumas, her mother, Anna C. (Leidig) Dumas, and her siblings, Bert M. Dumas Jr. and Liberta G. Rogers.

A funeral service will be held on January 22 at 1:00 PM at Blount & Curry, located at 605 S MacDill in Tampa. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Tampa Public Library, The Humane Society of Tampa, ASPCA, or Doctors Without Borders.