Alberta Dougan

Alberta Louise Dougan, 75, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021, at the Villas of Jackson.

Alberta Dougan

The third of three children, Alberta was born Nov. 5, 1945, in Cape Girardeau to Albert H. and Dorothy Probst Macke. Alberta and R. Neil Dougan were married July 17, 1971. They had been married nearly 50 years when Neil passed away Jan. 27, 2021.

Alberta grew up in Gordonville, was confirmed at Zion United Methodist Church and was active in the community and school through 4-H, played saxophone in band and participated in journalism. Alberta was a 1963 graduate of Jackson High School. She obtained her bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University in 1967, a master's degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1971 and a doctorate degree in social studies education and history of education from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1984.

Alberta taught high school from 1967 to 1981, with most of that time being spent at University High School. She was hired by Southeast Missouri State University into the History Department in 1981, where she served until her retirement in 2006. She served 10 years as the chairwoman of the Department of History (1991-2001), as well the Faculty Senate chairwoman (1990-1991). During her tenure at Southeast, she served in numerous committee positions at all levels within the university. Alberta received Outstanding Service Awards from the Missouri Bar Association in 2001 and from the Missouri Council for the Social Studies in 1991 and 1996. She received the Faculty Merit Award, Department of History in 1990. She had been a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority and served as an adviser to the sorority upon returning to the university to teach.

Alberta's passion was to improve the quality of education within the history community. To that end, she served in numerous positions on both the National Council for the Social Studies and the Missouri Council for the Social Studies from 1967 until shortly after her retirement. She served on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education from 1995 to 2006, with her last three years being on the Executive Board. She was a member of Organization of American Historians, Phi Delta Kappa, National Council for Geographic Education and National Council for History Education.

Alberta was a long-time member of the Copper Dome Society and the Horizon Club as well as a Distinguished Fellow in the President's Council. Her commitment to her students will continue through the scholarships she and Neil endowed at Southeast Missouri State University.

Alberta wrote the history of Jackson and other local communities for several publications, including the recent Jackson History book. She served on the Board of Directors for the Jackson Heritage Association and supported the establishment of the Cape Girardeau County History Center. She and Neil especially liked attending the Friday night folk music sessions held at the History Center.

Loving survivors include a sister, Dorothy (the late Charles) Ramsey of Jackson; a sister-in-law, Bonnie (the late H. Weldon) Macke of Jackson; nieces, Pamela (Stan) Johnson of Gordonville, Karen (Kevin) Yarbro of Cape Girardeau, Barbara (Jeff) Stroder of Jackson and nephew, Tom (Chris) Wilson of Arnold; eight great-nieces and -nephews; eight great-great-nieces and -nephews; and many good friends. She loved her students and mentored many of them just as if they were her own children.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and a brother, H. Weldon Macke.

A memorial visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to service time Friday at Zion United Methodist Church, west of Gordonville.

The Rev. Scott Griffin will officiate a memorial service at 3 p.m. Friday at the church, followed by interment in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates contributions to the Zion United Methodist Building Fund or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

To share an online condolence with the family, visit www.mccombsfuneralhome.com, navigate to Alberta's personal obituary page, and click on the "Tribute Wall" tab.