Debra Pitts Everington

After 1970, I ran off to California for ten years while married to my first husband, the Crazy Colombian, Carlos. At the end, I found out, I deserved better and came back to Ft. Pierce to find a little shack on Weatherbee road, which became my home and retreat.

I worked for my Dad at Pitts Furniture and Gas Company until he retired and sold the Pitts Building that became the P. P. Cobb Building. I found a job with DuBose Jeweler’s for a few years and just before I was supposed to get my first paid vacation my position was absorbed by one of the family members.

The next day, I went down to the Unemployment Office, filed the paperwork and talked with a supervisor about my abilities. I told her that I would do much better if I was on the other side of the desk and lo and behold, they hired me. Didn’t even have time to do my laundry.
The best benefit I got from working there was my husband, Jim, who was a supervisor. We were married for over twenty years living only about three in my little house (Mulberry Manor) that we expanded and became our home. As soon as we made our last addition, the State wanted Jim’s talents in Tallahassee, where I continue to live. I still have Mulberry Manor as a rental and hope to move back to someday. Jim and I are among the rare in that, after our divorce, we are still great friends.

In Tallahassee, I worked for Weight Watchers for over twelve years. As you may remember, in school, I was quite a heavy weight but with the help of WW, I lost over a hundred pounds. I started as a leader and ended as the area coordinator for South Georgia and North Florida. As a motivational speaker, I enjoyed watching people change their lives. Later, I became a renegade, as many leader do, and gained some of the weight back and said adios to my size 8 body and position.

I started volunteering, as a puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence, which is what I think, is my true calling. These dogs are for helping people with any disability other than blindness, to become more independent. I also started a nonprofit program that lasted for about ten years. The purpose was training people and their pets to do pet therapy for children, disabled and the elderly. We titled it, Tallahassee TheraPETics, Inc. The changes animals can make in a human are truly amazing and I am so proud to be a part of this program. I also work with the Gadsden Correctional Facility, where I socialize puppies with the outside world and mentor others in the area to do the same. The inmates do a fantastic job of raising and training these wonderful creatures. Other than that, I am enjoying being retired and living life to the fullest. Each day is a new adventure.

I thought I was very quite and a loner except when singing in the Glee Club which was my favorite activity. Singing at concerts and going on trips for competition was the world to me. I enjoyed and needed to be part of a class that had above average school spirit. Something that has helped me to be the person I am today.