Alvas and Valerie Tulloss
HISTORY OF THE A&V TULLOSS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
Our maternal grandmother, Roxy McDonald, was a maid at the Aqua Hotel in Dayton, Tennessee, after moving back from St. Louis, Missouri. One day, a group of geologists stayed at the hotel and struck up an unlikely friendship with her. They often teased her about her unique pronunciation of “hotel,” emphasizing the last syllable, unlike the locals who said “ho’tel.”
Before they left, the geologists had a profound conversation with her. “Roxy, you are an intelligent woman. Whatever it takes, ensure that you educate your children. It’s their only chance to improve their lives.”
This became her mission—to ensure her children received an education that could open doors to better opportunities. She instilled this priority in the hearts and minds of her children and grandchildren, making it a generational mantra. Even today, our family holds deep appreciation for those individuals who strive to broaden their horizons through education and training to seize available opportunities. This is our ongoing mission.
Roxy was widowed early, but she made sure her children maximized every opportunity for educational success. All her children received educations or trades and passed on her educational values to their children.
Roxy’s daughter Valerie and her future husband Alvas grew up next door to each other, attended Tennessee State University, married, and began their teaching careers together. They taught in Spring City, Tennessee, and later in Dayton, where they started a family, tragically losing their first daughter during childbirth.
Their first son, James, liked to tell a story about his mother walking him to school on his first day. She admonished him to be respectful and listen to his teacher, only for him to find that his teacher was, in fact, his mother. She was the first teacher for her first three children.
Throughout their teaching careers, Alvas and Valerie mentored many young people, encouraging them to excel in their educational endeavors. They later took jobs at Taft Youth Center in Pikeville, Tennessee, where Valerie taught general subjects and Alvas taught industrial trades. Valerie also played piano for several churches in Dayton while continuing to mentor others.
The educational focus of Alvas and Valerie was not lost on their children. One by one, they pursued and completed their educations. Among their achievements were a PhD in Chemistry, a DDS, a Dental Hygienist and Educator, an Engineer, an Industrial Hygienist, and a Paralegal.
To honor their parents’ legacy, the Tulloss family established The A & V Tulloss Educational Foundation in January 2000. The first two $500 scholarships were awarded in August 2001. From 2001 to January 2024, the foundation has awarded almost 50 scholarships to high school graduates entering college and students pursuing graduate degrees.
One of the first recipients of the scholarship had participated in a Tutorial Program that began at Colossian Baptist Church and later combined with a program at the US Army Aviation Logistics School in Fort Eustis, Virginia. This program supported up to 15 middle and high school students in various subjects until 2011. Many participants went on to receive the scholarship, continuing the legacy of education and opportunity that began with Roxy McDonald.
About Our Board Members
Ms. J. Irene Tulloss Hill is the President and Originator of the Board. She is the daughter of Alvas and Valerie Tulloss. She retired in January 2014 after over 42 years of federal service at Joint Base Langley Eustis, Newport News, VA. At the time of her retirement, she had spent 12 years working as a Dental Hygienist at Tignor Dental Clinic and over 30 years of service working in Education and Training in the US Army Aviation Logistics School and the 128th Aviation Brigade. During her tenure, she served as a Branch Chief, Division Chief, Quality Assurance Director, Deputy Director of the Training, Plans and Evaluation Department and finally as Dean of Education. She is a graduate of Meharry Medical College Dental Hygiene School, Nashville Tennessee, and holds a Certificate in Dental Hygiene and is a member of Omicron Chapter, Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society. She also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene, and a Master of Science Degree in Community Health Education from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
Ms. Brenda Wharton Taylor, is Vice President of the Board. She is a former Hampton, VA City Councilwoman and retired Schoolteacher, Specializing in Reading. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Augustine University in Raleigh, North Carolina and attended graduate school at the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, VA and Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA obtaining a Certificate as a Reading Specialist.
Ms. B. Roxanne Tulloss, youngest daughter of Alvas and Valerie Tulloss, serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee and a Paralegal Certificate from Clayton College and State University in Morrow, GA. She is a resident of Riverdale, GA and is employed at J. Franklin Burns, P.C. Law office in Atlanta, GA where she is Senior Paralegal. Her former positions were with The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Department of Education Charter Schools Division and various law firms in Atlanta.
Mr. Charles T. Tulloss, Board Member, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Tennessee State University and his Master of Science degree in E.E. from The Ohio State University. He began his career with AT&T Bell Laboratories and worked for various AT&T entities throughout his career. He is retired and resides in Alpharetta, GA. He is a member of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Mrs. Carolyn T. Slay, member, is a retired Industrial Hygienist and Environmental Safety and Health Representative and was employed for over 36 years by prime contractors of the Department of Energy, East Tennessee Technology Park and the Environmental Management Waste Management Facility of Oak Ridge, TN. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee and a Master of Public Health from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Dr. Lisa H. Chilton, Treasurer, is Founding Pastor of New Revolution Urban Ministries, 2511 Memorial Ave., Suite 200, Lynchburg, VA. She was previously employed as the Director of Financial Aid at Central Virginia Community College. She has also worked as the Executive Director of Financial Aid at Virginia University of Lynchburg, as the Career Transition Readiness Coordinator at Job Corps, as the Assistant Director and Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Programs Coordinator at the Region 2000 Career Center, as an Employment Services Worker for the Lynchburg Division of Social Services, on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Alliance of Social Work Practitioners and the Chair of the Education & Training Committee. She also served on the Virginia Department of Social Workers Education & Training State Advisory Committee and Chair of the Food Stamp Employment & Training Regional Committee. She holds an AAS in Management from Central Virginia Community College, Phi Theta Kappa Member, B.S. in Business Administration from Franklin University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Lynchburg College and a D.Min. from Virginia University of Lynchburg.
In Memoriam Board Members:
Dr. James H. Tulloss, Board Member, resided in Glencoe, IL and departed this life on June 5, 2021. James was educated in the Dayton Tennessee School System, graduating from Carver High School, graduating from Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee and achieving a B.S. in Chemistry. He relocated to Chicago and worked for a period at Glidden Paint Company in Chicago, Ill. James continued his education at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois completing it with a PhD in Biochemistry. James and his late wife Dr.Ijya C. Tulloss were owners of the Glencoe Montessori School and Daycare Center in Glencoe, Illinois. Until his retirement, he was employed by Chicago City College, Chicago, Illinois as a Professor.
Dr. Alvas C. Tulloss, Jr. Board Member, departed this life on March 4, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Alvas spent most of his early education in the Dayton, Tennessee School System, transferring to Booker T. Washington High for his Senior Year and Graduation. He held a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry from Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN where he graduated with honors. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He spent his professional career working at Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry in Nashville and for the State of Tennessee. He also joined the Tennessee Army National Guard where he served for over 23 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.