Nicki Leritis DeVillier, 79, passed away gracefully and peacefully on January 15, 2024, in Hoschton. Nicki was born on June 22, 1944, in Houston, Tex., to the late Harry Leritis and Lena Mae Leritis.
DeVillier
Nicki graduated from Lamar Senior High School in Houston, Tex. in 1962 and went on to earn a degree in mathematics from Southern Methodist University in 1966. She started her career as a mathematics teacher and went on to work for 39 years. For 25 years of her career, she taught in Dekalb County Schools at Peachtree High/Junior High and Middle School. She retired from Dekalb County and went back to teach part-time in Gwinnett County Public Schools for three more years. While teaching and caring for her family, she earned two graduate degrees, a Master’s degree and a Specialist degree in mathematics from Georgia State University.
Nicki married Ronald Coulon (Ron) DeVillier on August 12, 1967. They had one child.
Nicki was best known for her love of and her dedication to teaching and serving others. In addition to being a career educator, she led church and neighborhood initiatives to provide for the underserved. She facilitated fundraising for initiatives at Christ Church Episcopal and led the Sewing Guild and the school backpack initiative. She volunteered weekly at the Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries in her longtime home of Norcross.
In her active adult community, Village at Deaton Creek, she volunteered at a local elementary school, and she made sure the service staff received holiday and summer bonuses. She taught water aerobics and quilting and organized many social events for her friends.
It brought her such joy to entertain and cook for her family and friends. Her baklava was the best you have ever had! She was a gifted seamstress, and she shared her quilts and crafts as gifts to friends and family and fundraisers for her church.
She was a fixture at her grandsons’ schools and sporting events. She fostered their academic success beginning at an early age by reading to them and challenging their math skills, which they loved. In all weather conditions, near and far, she wore their names, numbers, and team colors with love and pride. Win or lose, after each competition, she hugged them and told them that she enjoyed seeing them play. Her grandsons brought her so much joy.
She will be remembered for her ability to organize and lead without ever seeking recognition—a servant leader, always.
Nicki is survived by her daughter, KimberlyAnn (Kim) DeVillier Glass of Suwanee. She is also survived by her son-in-law William Anthony (Tony) Glass, Jr., her grandsons William Anthony (Liam) Glass, III and Ewan Padraig Glass, her sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and Robert (Bobby) Whiten, her niece and family Julie and Dave Denman, Taylor Denman and Matthew Denman.
Nicki is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ron DeVillier, and nephew, Robert Whiten. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Christ Church Episcopal. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Christ Church Episcopal, 400 Holcomb Bridge Road, Norcross, Ga.30071, or Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries, 500 Pinnacle Park, Norcross, Ga. 30071, or a charity of your choice.
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