Dr. J. Deotha Malone Council Chamber Dedication

WHEREAS, Dr. J. Deotha Malone was first elected in 1969, as Council at Large for the City of Gallatin, and has served for nearly 40 years - all but two have been as Vice Mayor; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Malone’s honesty, integrity and dedication to service are above reproach and with no exceptions, she reached out to all citizens and served them equally; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, Vice Mayor Malone was unanimously awarded “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” by the Sumner County Council of Governments. In 2000, she was honored with Joint Resolution 441, by the Tennessee General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Dr. Malone was awarded the Tennessee Education Associations Humanitarian Award for her 55 years in education; and

WHEREAS,  Dr. J. Deotha Malone has not only been a role model as a member of the Gallatin City Council but also as an educator and supervisor in the Sumner County School System from 1949 to 2004; and 

WHEREAS,  In her senior year of high school Deotha Malone was the winner from Tennessee on a nationwide exam, and received a four year paid scholarship from the Pepsi Cola Company in Palo Alto, California to any college in the United States or Canada; and

WHEREAS, She graduated from Gallatin High School as her class Valedictorian; graduated from Fisk University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and French; and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration.  In addition, she earned a Master of Arts degree from Tennessee State University in Adult Education.  She further pursued her education goals at Alabama State University and received an Ed. S. in Adult Education and subsequently earned a Ph.D at the University of Alabama.  She also attended Tennessee Tech, University of Tennessee, Notre Dame, Middle Tennessee State University; and the University of Bangalore, India; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Malone was elected President of the Sumner County Teachers Association, and served on the Tennessee Education Association Board of Directors; local bank boards, service organizations, community action groups, church groups and other City of Gallatin boards; and.  

WHEREAS,  Dr. Malone was recognized nationally in Who’s Who In America, Who’s Who Among Women, World Notable Community Leaders, and was invited by President Carter to attend briefings at the White House on Community Development; and 

WHEREAS, Dr. J. Deotha Malone’s belief was that one could achieve anything in life if he or she worked hard and applied themselves. Dr. Malone’s “can do” attitude combined with her “soft spoken” demeanor proved to be a powerful combination.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jo Ann Graves, Mayor of the City of Gallatin, Tennessee and the Gallatin City Council hereby dedicate the Gallatin City Hall Council Chambers in honor of
                                                                      
Dr. J. Deotha Malone                                     

by presentation of a plaque which will permanently hang outside the Council Chambers, and ask all citizens of Gallatin to  extend appreciation to Dr. J. Deotha Malone for her lifelong commitment to the citizens and youth of Gallatin, Tennessee.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the official seal of the City of Gallatin, Tennessee, this 18th day of November 2008.                  JO ANN GRAVES, MAYOR

 

   

Councilman John Alexander, Rev. Derrick Jackson and members of Dr. Malone’s family unveil the plaque dedicating the Gallatin City Council Chambers to Dr. Malone.

Rev. Derrick Jackson of First Baptist Church Winchester spoke about Dr. Malone who is a member of his church.

Mayor Jo Ann Graves presents a proclamation to members of Dr. Malone’s family

Members of Dr. Malone’s family thank the Council and the community for honoring the Vice Mayor.

The dedication ceremony aired live on Gallatin’s public access Channel 19.  Reruns of the Council Meeting and dedication ceremony may still be viewed on Channel 19