In many ways, Delores McGhee was a trailblazer in education.
She knew how to read before grade school. She taught English, Spanish and French in the 1950s in Florida. And she made history in the 1970s as the first African-American on the Fulton County Board of Education -- and as its first female and African-American president.
During her 18-year tenure on the board, she was the consummate crusader for children, even beyond the boundaries of her southwest Atlanta district, former school officials said.
"She was an unbelievable trailblazer in so many ways," said Elizabeth Ackerman, a retired public relations director for Fulton County schools. "She believed that all children had a right to learn. And when I say all children, it did not not matter their economic status, their race, their geography, their ability or disability. She looked beyond any boundaries."
In the 1980s, Mrs. McGhee helped institute magnet programs at north and south Fulton high schools to offer a greater variety of academic and vocational classes. She fought to keep arts and music in schools. And in addition to youngsters, she crusaded on behalf of cafeteria workers and bus drivers.
"She had her priorities in order: children, teachers, administrators. She fought to get what each group needed," said Linda Souders, a retired principal and Fulton school administrator.
Delores Costella Green McGhee, 79, of Atlanta died March 19 of kidney failure at Hospice Atlanta. A celebration-of-life service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Cascade Chapel at Murray Brothers Funeral Home in Atlanta. The funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. McGhee was born in Jacksonville. After graduating from Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, she moved back to Florida to attend Florida A&M University. She earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1953.
For the next 13 years, she taught at high schools in Jacksonville and Tallahassee.
She and attorney Alfonso McGhee married in1949. He died in 1979.
In 1966, the family moved to Atlanta, where Mrs. McGhee gave up her formal teaching career to be a stay-at-home mom. But that didn't end her involvement in public education.
She became active in Utoy Springs Parent Teacher Association. She volunteered at her children's school, edited the PTA newsletter, and served as vice president. To salute her efforts, the PTA began making annual scholarship contributions in her name. In time, then-Gov. Jimmy Carter asked her to participate in the Governor’s Conference on Education.
In 1974, Mrs. McGhee landed a spot on the Fulton County Board of Education. She also served on the National School Boards Association and the Professional Standards Commission.
"I was very proud of my mother," said son Darrel McGhee of Atlanta. "I didn't appreciate until I got older the extent to which my mother's love was tinged by her natural instincts as a teacher."
Mrs. McGhee was an avid reader, had a knack for solving crossword puzzles, and could rattle off answers while watching the TV game show "Jeopardy," said daughter Avis McGhee of Atlanta.
Additional survivors include son Kirkland McGhee of Atlanta and three grandchildren.
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