Vicki C. Devore passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in San Bernardino, California. She was 82.
Born Vicki Charlene Gottman on July 20, 1942, to W. Edward and M. Charlotte Gottman in Monroe City, Missouri. Vicki was the first of three children and the quintessential oldest child. She excelled at most everything. In high school, she was athletic and a natural on the basketball court, leading her team to a string of victories. She was popular, but her loyalty ran deep and she kept a tight-knit group of girlfriends for life.
She was a gifted piano player and singer. As a high soprano, she shined in choirs, and operas. And if you ever heard her hammering out something dramatic in the early hours of the morning, chances are she was working through big feelings (often via something dark and moody by Rachmaninoff). She preferred the intensity of classical music and opera—both as a listener and performer—and even taught piano for a time. Her love of music led her to Truman State University, in Kirksville, MO, where she majored in it.
It was there that she wandered into a shoe store and met Jerry Hitt, a fellow student and part-time shoe salesman. They got married in 1961 and, not long after, welcomed their first child, Gregory Allan (Greg). Vicki was 19. Two years later came Marla Christine (Christi), and Vicki threw herself into family life while always keeping her creativity within reach.
In 1970, she and Jerry had Dana Leigh, who became a little shadow and a handy bargaining chip at flea markets. Vicki loved auctions, estate sales, and anything made of wood. Once the older kids were in school, she opened an antique business, Pandora’s Box, in Marshall, MO, and turned her passion for refinishing and restoring furniture into a business.
Vicki was elegant and poised. It was hard to imagine she once moved cattle on horseback with her dad on a Missouri farm. But that was part of her, too—grit under the gloss.
Vicki and Jerry’s marriage ended in divorce in 1974. While working at the Marshall Democrat-News selling ads, she met Earl Waterson, also an employee at the newspaper. They married that same year. In 1975, Vicki and Earl welcomed Darcy Dru. When Darcy was just weeks old, Earl took a job at a Florida newspaper. The family relocated to Fort Myers, Florida.
Tragically, just before Christmas that year, Earl died of a heart attack. Vicki was 33 years old, left widowed with four young children in a new town.
She had never before lived outside of Missouri, but Vicki stayed in Fort Myers for many years and carved out a life with her signature stubbornness and flair. She worked for Payne Webber, created a lush oasis in the backyard, and took the kids to the beach on weekends. On Friday nights, she danced her stress away at the Holiday Inn, because some emotions were best handled with 70’s Soft Rock, a glass of scotch, and heels.
She was quick-witted and could be—let’s be honest—very stubborn. She wasn’t always easy. She could go toe-to-toe with anyone in a battle of wills, and she didn’t back down. But underneath all that fire was deep loyalty, fierce love, and a soul that searched constantly for meaning and beauty.
Later, she married Charles “Chuck” DeVore and moved to Southern California, where she began a career in real estate. The marriage didn’t last, but her love for California absolutely did. She adored the desert, the mountains, Joshua Tree National Park—the kind of open space that felt like freedom.
She was deeply spiritual. She explored many different paths—curious, open, never satisfied with surface answers. In the end, all those roads led her home to the loving arms of Jesus.
Vicki loved her family, her dogs, her books, her garden, and her music. She especially loved Pat Metheny, Santana and Steely Dan—music that felt like something lived-in and a little complicated, like she was.
For those who knew her, the lyrics to Deacon Blues will always hold a different kind of meaning now:
“You call me a fool
You say it’s a crazy scheme
This one’s for real
I already bought the dream…
So useless to ask me why
Throw a kiss and say goodbye
I’ll make it this time
I’m ready to cross that fine line.”
Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Charlotte; her brother, William “Bill” Gottman; her sister, Linda Kuhlman; and her husband, Earl. She is survived by a sister-in-aw, Jan Adams; her children: Greg (Amy), Christi (Robert), Dana, and Darcy (Temo); her grandchildren: Robert, Cory, Xavi, Zachary, Elinor, Jordan, Joel, Haven, Tony, and Angie; four great-grandchildren: RJ, Rosemary, Silas, and Sawyer, and many nieces and nephews.
Her story was imperfect, beautiful, loud, complicated, loving, and completely unforgettable. And she was ours.
In accordance with Vicki’s wishes, she will be cremated, and her ashes will be spread at her favorite spot in the desert at a later date. No formal services are planned. Those wishing to honor her memory are invited to make a donation to the Joshua Tree National Park Association in tribute to her love for wide open spaces. https://joshuatree.org/donate/