Bev Wingate, the First Lady of "Dunwoody Yes" and Consummate Volunteer is honored with a proclamation.

 Bev Wingate the First Lady of Dunwoody Yes

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Beverly Jean Wingate (Bev) is a determined, rational, intellectual, energized woman with a clever wit and a quick sense of humor, who is faithfully dedicated to her family, country and city; and

WHEREAS, growing up on a farm in Champaign Illinois, Bev learned the definition of perseverance and hard work. She was active in the 4-H Club, and Future Homemakers of America; she was taught to be involved with the local community. She ran track, was the feature editor for the school’s newspaper, served on student council, and was a regular on the campus radio station WKID; and

WHEREAS, on August 1952 (just before her 18th birthday); she was hired by Illinois Bell Telephone to be an operator in their call center in the Champaign area. Bev retired in the fall of 1961 after 6 promotions, and almost 10 years of service, to marry Walter R. Anderson in November 1961, and begin a family. Son Walter was born in May 1966. She was divorced in 1971, and married Ron “Windy” Wingate in November 1972. She was married to Windy (46 years) until his passing in November 2018. She is a fantastic Gamma to son Walter’s only child Courtney, and mother-in-law to Cheryl; and 

WHEREAS, in July of 1960 Bev was one of four women to supervise the call center for the Republican National Convention in Chicago. Bev honed her political skills here as the center was just off the convention floor for use by the delegates, press, and the public; and

WHEREAS, Dunwoody appreciates Bev for her 40+years of support, service and leadership to: Dunwoody Newcomers Club, Dunwoody Woman’s Club, Dunwoody Preservation Trust, Spruill Center Guild, Stage Door Players, Dunwoody Nature Center, Dunwoody Veterans Day, Memorial Day and 911 Memorial Events, 4th of July Parade 2007 Grand Marshall with her husband Windy, DeKalb County Domestic Violence Task Force, DeKalb County Veterans Advisory Board, and Dunwoody United Methodist Church, and

WHEREAS, outside of the political and volunteer areas, Bev’s hobbies are: cooking, macramé, oil painting, learning to play musical instruments including the ukulele, organ, and recently learning how to play the piano, reading, crossword puzzles, and lover of animals, particularly German Shepherds, and is now Gamma to a Great Dane. Bev was a licensed small plane pilot in the 70s and 80s, and at one time held a real estate license. She currently drives around Dunwoody in style as the coolest Gamma ever in her black, 1997 Trans Am with T-top; and

WHEREAS, Bev was an integral member of the Founding Committee for the Incorporation of the City of Dunwoody, where her insight, professional expertise, and historical knowledge of Dunwoody contributed to the efforts of the committee. Bev helped guide the resolution for the incorporation of the City of Dunwoody in 2008 and continued her service on various city committees. Bev calls herself a “fire fighter”; she puts out fires with her wealth of knowledge before misinformation burns out of control; and

NOW, THEREFORE I, Lynn Deutsch, Mayor of Dunwoody, Georgia do hereby proclaim September 9, 2020, as Bev Wingate Day in the City of Dunwoody in honor of her service, dedication, and commitment to the Citizens of Dunwoody Community. The unofficial “Mother of Dunwoody”.IN 

WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Dunwoody to be affixed this 24th day of August, 2020.