Barbara Lorraine “Chic” Devault served on The American Legion California Boys State staff for 31 years.
A celebration of life for Barbara Lorraine “Chic” Devault is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, July 10 at the Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes, 4701 Marysville Blvd., in Sacramento. A reception will follow at Chic’s home: 6920 9th St., in Rio Linda.
I received an email from Chic’s granddaughter a short time ago confirming the details for her memorial. The service will be held outside to facilitate social distancing. https://sunsetlawn.chapelofthechimes.com/m/obituaries/Barbara-Devault-2/MemorialEvents
Among Chic’s many accomplishments was the title she held as first female administrator of California Boys State, among the most respected and selected programs for government instruction available to U.S. high school students.
All attending should wear blue, which was Chic’s favorite color. Many of us from the Boys State staff will be wearing our navy blue staff shirts. Also, while social distancing will be in place, please remember to bring and wear a face covering.
Barbara served on The American Legion California Boys State Staff for 31 years. She joined the Boys Staff in 1989 as assistant administrator for then-Boys State Administrator Frank Baker. In 2005, she succeeded Frank as the new administrator and served in that role until her “retirement” in late 2013. She was the Boys State program administrator emeritus until her passing. Barbara was inducted into The American Legion California Boys State Hall of Fame in June 2015.
Below is an obit submitted by her family.
BARBARA (CHIC) DEVAULT
Barbara was born on Feb. 12, 1934 in Glendale, California to James and Lorraine Paine. She graduated from San Juan High School in 1952 and joined the United States Navy on June 17, 1952.
After boot camp, she was assigned to Naval Air Station Memphis where she worked as a clerical typist. On Sept. 3, 1953, she married David Duel DeVault. They raised four children: Michelle, Michael, Davelynn and Dana.
Barbara absolutely loved The American Legion and all the great work it does for veterans. She was the first Woman to be commander of Post 521. She was the first woman to be vice commander for the state of California. She was first woman to be administrator for Boys State California, which she retired from just recently.
Barbara was director of the Haggin Grant Baseball Team that help produce many professional baseball players. She volunteered at veteran hospitals in the Sacramento/Bay area. Her accomplishments were many. She did these things because it was her passion.
As for us “kids,” they dragged us along just about every weekend! But seriously, when we would go somewhere like Yountville Veterans Home, they would tell us kids to set and talk to the vets, ask if we could help them. It made us understand what was important in this world. And I want to thank them for that.
Barbara was preceded in death by her father James Howard Paine
Her mother Lorraine Texanna Cunningham
Her husband David Duel DeVault
Survived by Michelle Debra Hampton
Michael Elon DeVault
Davelynn Dee Ingram
Dana Denise Ellsworth
Grandchildren:
Michael Dennis Hampton
Whitney Michelle Hampton
Cortney Nicole Ingram
Jarrett Mathew DeVault
Nicholas Duel DeVault
Justin Wayne Green
Baylee Texanna Ellsworth
add eight Great Grandchildren
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Barbara Devault was the first female director of California Boys State. She was the first female administrator.
Author: Tim Aboudara
Tim Aboudara Sr. is chief counselor for The American Legion California Boys State program.