She was preceded in death by her dear husband of 57 years, the late Richard DeWitt Sr. She was also preceded in death by her father, George La Pointe; and her brothers, George La Pointe Jr. and Harry La Pointe.
She is survived by her five beloved children, Richard A. DeWitt Jr. and wife Barbara of Nacogdoches, Deborah Parmelee and husband Sam of Evergreen, Colorado, Candace Drucker and husband Marc of Los Alamitos, California, Cindy Myers and husband Jimmy of Nacogdoches, and Jack DeWitt and wife Sonja of Nacogdoches; twelve grandchildren, Nicki Cahill, Jessica Hannah and husband Frank, Neil Myers and wife Julia, Matt Parkins, Richard DeWitt III, Alex Myers, Melissa Parkins, Andrew Drucker, Lucille DeWitt, Jacob DeWitt, Danielle Drucker, and Austin DeWitt and wife Shelby; and five great-grandchildren, Molly Cahill, Walker Cahill, Wyatt Hannah, Ava Hannah, and Marley Myers; a good friend and the mother of Richard and Jessica, Beverly Murphy of Nacogdoches; her very devoted and caring friend, Joy Wingate; the Colizzi Family; and her brother Mike Wolock. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.
Lucy lived a long and fulfilling life. As a young girl, she lived in Charlotte, Michigan, with the Colizzi family where she cared for their children and worked as a soda jerk at their candy store, Liberty Sweets. After high school, she moved to New York to take up a career in acting and modeling. She also worked as a secretary in the Empire State Building. She married her beloved husband Rich DeWitt in early 1948. They moved to Waxahachie, Texas, in 1952 where the DeWitt Brothers started the DeWitt Turkey Hatchery. Later, they moved to Nacogdoches in 1957 to help Rich’s brothers, the late Bob and Ben DeWitt, with the DeWitt Hatcheries. In 1964, Rich and Lucy started their KFC Franchise first in Nacogdoches and Lufkin and later expanding to 68 other locations across Texas. Lucy believed in hard work and her work ethic continued into her late 80s.
Involved in her community, she was instrumental in the founding of the Nacogdoches County Republican Women, serving as president in 1990. She was also a founding member for the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Pink Ladies in 1970. She volunteered at the Treatment Center and served as Board President from 1994-1996, served on the board of the Samaritan Center, and was a Charter Life Member of the Nacogdoches Expo Center. Lucy was a leader in her children’s Scout troops. She was a volunteer with the church, The Youth Center, and the several school PTA boards. She sponsored the Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers and donated for the restoration of Millard’s Crossing, the Old University Building, and other local historical buildings. Lucy and Rich contributed to the establishment of the Richard and Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing at Stephen F. Austin State University with the assistance of her dear friend Dr. Glenda Walker.
For all her time and dedication to the community, she was inducted into the Stephen F. Austin Society in 2006. She was selected Woman of the Year by the American Association of University Women in 2008. She received the Citizens’ Statemen’s Award from the Nacogdoches Republican Party in 2010.
An outdoors woman, she enjoyed venturing across the Western Hemisphere with her husband, hunting, fishing, and golfing. Lucy was a world traveler who loved exploring other cultures. She was involved in the horse racing business with her husband and at one point owned numerous thoroughbreds. She loved spending time with her special birthday group which included her friends Pattye Greer, Lorraine Coussons, and Joyce Swearingen.
Lucy was mother to her beautiful family, a loyal and thoughtful friend, and a blessing to the community. She was a strong, generous individual, who cared for others above herself. She’ll be in our hearts and memories for eternity.
After celebrating her 90th birthday, Lucy went home to be with Christ on Friday, October 9, 2015, at her residence while surrounded by her family.
Pallbearers include her family members Neil Myers, Matt Parkins, Richard DeWitt III, Alex Myers, Jacob DeWitt, Walker Cahill, Sam Parmelee, and Frank Hannah. Honorable pallbearers include Andrew Drucker, Dan Sitton, Carl Maynard, Larry Skelly, Marc Goldman, and Guy Ellis.
The family would like to thank Visiting Angels and The Hospice of East Texas for their gentle and loving care of Lucy in her final days.
Visitation will be Monday, October 12, 2015, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Cason Monk-Metcalf’s Sunset Chapel.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 13, 2015, at Cason Monk-Metcalf’s Sunset Chapel with the Reverend Steve Newton officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to H.O.P.E (Helping Other People Eat), The Hospice of East Texas, and the Nacogdoches Treatment Center.
You may offer online memories and condolences at www.CasonMonk-metcalf.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches.
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