- Date Of Birth: January 24, 1929
- Date Of Death: March 29, 2015
- State: Texas
Ouida Mae Dulany died March 29, 2015, at a Belton nursing home. Ouida was born outside Baton Rouge in Baker, Louisiana January 24, 1929, to Mandy Eva Gurney Edwards (Eva Ray) and Monroe Joseph Edwards.
A devoted wife and mother, Ouida was married to her lifelong sweetheart, George Dulany, for fifty-seven years, and was blessed with three children (George B. Jr., Daryl and Dianah), a daughter-in-law (Laure), three grandchildren (Jacob, Zachary and Madison), and one great grandchild (Bentley). Ouida graduated from Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge in 1946.
After high school, she studied business at Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, LA. She was proficient in shorthand, which helped her immensely in both her professional and personal life, using the skill at work when taking minutes of Board meetings and in the many civic and philanthropic organizations in which she volunteered. She even used shorthand when she made notes at home that she didn’t want the kids to be able to read. Ouida worked at various jobs doing secretarial work until she and George got married in 1950. George’s employer, Ethyl Oil, moved the happy couple to Houston, Texas in 1951.
While working as a Mechanical Engineer, George received his law degree from the University of Houston. During this time, Ouida was a stay-at-home mom. In 1961, the family moved to Belton, where George worked in a small law firm which he would eventually take over. Ouida worked at home until the summer of 1965, when she accepted the position of secretary to the President of University of Mary Hardin Baylor, who at the time was Dr. Arthur Tyson. This was the beginning of a long and fulfilling career. She continued in that position under the Presidencies of Tyson, Dr. Leonard Holloway and Dr. William Tanner.
During Dr. Bobby Parker’s reign, Ouida was promoted to Administrative Assistant to the President and represented the University at various functions. She continued in that position for Dr. Jerry Bawcom. As she often said, the Lord blessed her with the privilege of working for five UMHB presidents, and being a part of the amazing growth the school enjoyed during her 30 years of service. Ouida was awarded an Honorary Member of the University of Mary Hardin Baylor Alumni Association in 1981, of which she was very proud. In 1996, Parker and Bawcom awarded her the Distinguished Service Award. She retired in 1996 and started, as she put it, her “permanent vacation.” Throughout the years, Ouida and George traveled the world together. Highlights include Alaska, Hawaii, England and the Virgin Islands, just to name a few.
Ouida was happy at home, but almost always planning another trip. She also always had a project of some kind. She kept her hands busy and enjoyed doing handiwork and sharing it with friends and family. Ouida was active in her church and community, which was very important to her. She taught Fourth Grade Sunday School at First Baptist Church of Belton for several years, as well as volunteered in the church office and prayer room where she was a devoted prayer warrior. She accepted leadership positions in many of the organizations in which she was involved, including Altrusa International, City Federation of Texas, City Federation Past Presidents Organization, Republican Women, Belton Area Chamber of Commerce, Temple Study Club, Friends of the Lena Armstrong Public Library and PEO, a professional organization promoting the education of women.
A kind and generous woman who always maintained a positive outlook, Ouida lived to serve God, her family, her Church and her community. Preceding her death were her parents and her husband, George B. Dulany. The loved ones surviving her are sons, George B. Dulany, Jr. of Belton and Daryl Dulany of Moody; a daughter, Dianah Dulany of Houston; a daughter-in-law, Laure Dulany of Moody; sister, Barbara Jean Ables Downing of Sherman; a sister-in-law, Georgeanna Losavio of Louisville, KY, grandchildren Jacob Dulany and his wife Amanda, of San Diego, CA, Zachary Dulany, of Midland, and Madison Dulany of Moody, great-grandchild Bentley Dulany of San Diego, CA, and several nieces and nephews.
