Dolores Mignon (Burns) Nunnally born on January 2, 1932 in Strong, Arkansas passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025 in Hollister, Missouri at the age of 93. Dolores was the oldest daughter of Marion Saunders Burns and Emma Jo (Johnson) Burns Baca of Strong, Arkansas. Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved sister, Betty Jane Burns, and her late husband of over 50 years, Curtis Jerome Nunnally.
Dolores was a graduate of Strong High School in Arkansas where she was captain of the women's basketball team. She then attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, Arkansas where she received her Bachelor of Education degree (1953). She went on to earn her Master's of Education degree at State College of Arkansas (1954). In 1981, Dolores earned her Doctoral degree in Education Administration. During college she discovered a love for playing tennis.
Dolores began her teaching career at Barton Junior High School in El Dorado, Arkansas. The following year, she became Head of the Women’s Physical Education Department at El Dorado High School, a position she held for 16 years. While there, she coached all women's sports, her favorites being tennis, basketball and gymnastics. She served as President, Treasurer and Chairman of the school district association and Vice President of the Physical Education Division.
She was active in the Arkansas Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and served as a member to develop a physical education guide for the state of Arkansas. She conducted gymnastic workshops throughout the state and was a clinician for the National Badminton Training Center. She also served as a tennis professional and head of the Tennis Committee of the El Dorado Racquet Club in addition to being a devoted member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
After teaching high school physical education in Arkansas for over 16 years, Dolores moved with her family to Downers Grove, Illinois. She spent the remainder of her teaching career as an elementary school physical education teacher and vice principal of Riley Elementary School in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
After retirement, Dolores and Jerome moved back to their hometown of Strong Arkansas, where they continued their membership at the First United Methodist Church of El Dorado. They were members of both the El Dorado Country Club and El Dorado Racquet Club where Dolores continued to play and coach competitive tennis into her late 70's. She and Jerome enjoyed many years living in their hometown and travelling the world together in their free time.
Dolores was a very loving mother to Jo Lynn (Nunnally) Blair as well as two grandchildren, Michael Shawn Blair (Jennifer) of Newark, IL and Kelly Lyn Kukla (Stephen) of Wheaton, IL. She was Great Gram to sweet Amy Alice Kukla. She loved and was very proud of her grandchildren and took an active role in their lives.
Visitation for family and friends will be held Monday, March 3, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Young's Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2025 in the Chapel of First United Methodist Church of El Dorado with Rev. Allen Crum officiating. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. in Strong Cemetery, Strong, Arkansas under the direction of Young's Funeral Directors.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org) or a charity of your choosing.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com
