KITTY HAWK — Retired United States Navy Captain Lucy M. Kidwell passed away June 11, 2022 in her home with her family by her side. She was born in Elgin, Texas to Ruben and Anita Mendoza June 22, 1947 (both deceased). Lucy was the oldest of six siblings. She is survived by her husband, Robert D. Kidwell of Martins Point, NC; three children Elizabeth Leonard, Jane Martinez, and Robert Kidwell, Jr.; seven grandsons, James Leonard, David Leonard, Thomas Leonard, James Martinez, Edward Martinez, William Kidwell, and Samuel Kidwell; one sister, Santa Bullard (Gary); one brother, Ruben Mendoza, Jr., her niece, Petrina Bullard; two nephews, Justin Bullard and Austin Bullard; two great-nieces; five great-great-nieces and nephews (all of Dallas Texas), as well as a host of extended family members, former colleagues, and loyal friends from all over the county and the world.
Lucy was a graduate of Peter Smith School of Nursing of Fort Worth, TX as well Texas Christian University earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June of 1970 serving in the Navy Nursing Corps. The Portsmouth Naval Hospital was Lucy’s fist duty station. After showing leadership and excelling there, Lucy went on to serve in Yokosuka, Japan, Camp Pendleton (California), Camp LeJeune (NC), Bethesda, Maryland at the U.S. Naval Hospital and at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico where she rose to Director of Nursing and was later named Executive Officer of the hospital. Lucy also completed deployments aboard the hospital ship- U.S. Comfort.
Lucy served her country with honor and distinction. Over the span of her career, Lucy earned the Meritorious Service Medal, a Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, the National Defense Medal (two awards), the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Coast Guard Special Operations Services Ribbon. Subsequent to her retirement, Lucy was especially proud to have made some two dozen global missions with Operation Smile. She was ultimately appointed the Chair of Nursing Council for the entire organization overseeing the care of thousands of children around the world.
Family and friends may view Thursday, June 16, 2022 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Gallop Funeral Chapel in Nags Head, NC. The funeral will be held Friday, June 17, 2022 at 11 am at Duck United Methodist Church in Duck, NC. Captain Kidwell will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a date in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that memorial donations be made in Lucy’s memory to a worthy charity of your choice or to the Freedom Alliance www.freedomalliance.org which provides college funding to the children of men and women who have fallen serving and protecting the freedom of our nation.
Words of grace and comfort may be shared at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral services, Inc. is honored to assist the family with arrangements.
