<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>It is with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that the NFB of Florida Greater Jacksonville Chapter announces the passing of Elizabeth (Beth) Bowen Dyal on October 4, 2021 at the age of 81. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Beth played a pivotal role in the formation <span style='color:#1F497D'>and growth </span>of <span style='color:#1F497D'>the National Federation of the Blind of Florida, </span>the Federations 45<sup>th</sup> Affiliate, founded on November 14<sup>th</sup>, 1970 as the Florida Association of the Blind. <span style='color:#1F497D'>She and her husband Jim took on leadership roles, (including those of President of the Jacksonville Chapter), one of the Affiliates four charter chapters.</span> Beth served as an invaluable member and leader not only in Florida but on a national level as well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Active in local, State and National politics, she was a strong and steady voice championing those issues that affected the blind. Beth, along with her late husband Jim Bowen, was instrumental in passing legislation to help the blind participate more on an equal footing with the fully sighted.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>She mentored and advocated on behalf of blind individuals who had issues in dealing with various rehabilitation agencies, the Social Security Administration and private employers. Beth also instilled in the people she mentored self-reliance and taught her mentees how to advocate for themselves.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Beth lived a full and active life and never let her lack of eyesight keep her from accomplishing her goals. She raised four children, was active in her church, was well known in local and State politics, supported women's concerns, blindness issues and was employed full-time as a medical transcriptionist. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Beth leaves behind a loving family, as well as a host of friends and colleagues, both inside and outside of the Federation to treasure many fond memories of her and all of her wonderful accomplishments.<span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>