JoAnn Tucker holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in Human Resources, which has enabled her to pursue her passion of working with people. JoAnn’s expertise includes self-improvement and racial harmony seminars and workshops for families, businesses and organizations. She has worked all her adult life with people. She worked 17 years as a Para-Professional at Mamie O. Stookey School in Belleville, Illinois. Stookey school services mentally and physically challenged children from 6 years old to 20 years old. Mrs. Tucker worked in the classroom facilitating educational activities and did respite care on the weekends. JoAnn says that this job taught her that everyone is able to learn and be happy.
Ms. Tucker also worked 20 years at Southern Illinois at Edwardsville Head Start Program. She worked closely with the parents of Head Start children; facilitated health clinics; conducted workshops instructing parents in ways to balance their finances; and held classes on skills for successful parenting. JoAnn also encouraged parents to fulfill their desire to get an education and to find meaningful employment.
Ms. Tucker eventually became the Center Manager at her assigned Head Start Center, which had about 200 students and 30 employees on staff. She also supervised the Community Workers as one of her many duties. Ms. Tucker retired from the Head Start program in 2004.
JoAnn, who is currently vice president of New Age Truth of Missouri, met Master Berry some forty plus years ago. She says, “Before I met him I was full of questions about life; questions like why must there be suffering in this world and what is my purpose for living? When I first met the Master he answered questions that I had, but had never expressed them to anyone. As time went on, I observed this man and found out not only did he have the cause and cure for all of mankind; but he was also an example of everything he taught. It is a privilege and an honor to be a member, for 40 plus years, of the organization founded by Master David M. Berry.”
Bonnie M. Harmon-Greene, Treasurer
Nefertitti Berry, Assistant Treasurer
Osiris Tucker, YIC Coordinator
Donna K. Scott, DMB Scholarship Committee