FORT WALTON BEACH — Gloria Jean Tippens will not be forgotten.
Tippens died Feb. 25 at the age of 81, but her memory and legacy will leave a lasting impression on the community she served for more than 20 years.
“She had the compassion, care and concern for children that was needed to move Head Start forward,” said Deadra Wilson, who worked with Tippens during her time as director of Head Start Okaloosa County. “She would go out of her way to help anybody that needed it.”
Tippens’ was one of a handful of residents in 1970 who started the federally-funded day-care program for preschool children. She became the supervisor of the Fort Walton Beach, Crestview and Baker programs in 1971.
Through her leadership, the program expanded, received more funding and helped thousands of families by providing support and financial help in times of need.
“Some of the things I witnessed were her going into her personal funds to give parents money for their utilities or gas money to get to work,” Wilson said. “She treated everyone like they were her own family. She believed in community outreach and caring for the disadvantaged.”
Tippens’ work ethic became known throughout Florida and the nation so much that she earned the title of “Miss Head Start,” Wilson said.
The Milton native also found ways of hiring unlikely candidates such as Wilson, who didn’t realize her potential until Tippens asked her to step up.
“She believed in me when I didn’t really believe in myself,” Wilson said. “We really suffered when she left there for medical reasons. She ran the program from the side of her bed before they hired another director to replace her.”
Today, Head Start has expanded to three centers in Fort Walton Beach, one in Niceville, five in Crestview and one in Laurel Hill, along with Early Head Start for infants.
A memorial for Tippens will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Beulah First Baptist Church on McGriff Street in Fort Walton Beach.
“The community has definitely benefitted from the seed she planted,” Wilson said. “This memorial ceremony will be a positive way to recognize her and give her the recognition she deserves. She’s going to get what she’s due.
“Ms. Tippens loved life and she loved helping people.”
