Biography

Mrs. Lucille "Lucy" Marie La Pointe DeWitt was born in Killingly, Connecticut, on October 8, 1925. 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.

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