Lucile Maria Dew McIntyre

The final curtain fell in the life of Lucile Maria Dew McIntyre on Monday, June 11, 2018, at her home in Wilmington. She has now joined the love of her life, Johnny Lee, who left this Earth in 2009.

Lucile was born in the spring of 1943 to Jasper Hinson and Grace Barefoot Dew in Sampson County. She had one older brother, Jasper Glenn Dew, lovingly known as 'Jack,' with whom she grew up in the Delway community. Lucile graduated from Union High School in 1961 and went on to East Carolina Teachers' College where she completed her Bachelor's degree in English Education and a concentration in Theatre.

Lucile married Johnny Lee McIntyre in 1964 and welcomed a daughter, Sunday Rae, a year later. John Christopher joined the cast a few years later. The McIntyre Family Cast was complete and Lucile and Johnny set out to produce an incredible show.

Act I: "The Early Years" included scenes set in Newport, Hillsborough, and New Bern. She began her career as an educator at Haw River Elementary before she moved to Stanford Junior High in Orange County. She was recognized as an Outstanding Young Educator by the North Carolina Jaycees while at Stanford. After the family moved to New Bern she joined the faculty of West Craven High School where she served as the faculty advisor for the school's Junior Civitan club. While at WCHS, Lucile's Junior Civitans won numerous awards and honors and Lucile was named NC District East Faculty Advisor of the Year in 1977. She was also tapped as Craven County Teacher of the Year in 1977.

Act II: "The Drama Years" opened in Pender County when the McIntyre Family Cast returned to Johnny's family roots in the Shiloh Community near Atkinson in Pender County. Lucile joined the faculty of Pender High School in the fall of 1979 cast in the role of 'English teacher'. Lucile was again recognized as county Teacher of the year for the 1980-81 school year. During that first year Lucile brought Broadway theatre to Pender County producing Lil' Abner in 1980 and Hello Dolly in 1981. Pender High School grew a theatre department soon after. From that point the Pender Thespian Troupe developed to remarkable heights. Lucile began to write scripts that showcased her students' unique stories and talents. Among them, "These Wonderful Years" and "Dragons" were published and continue to be performed by youth theater groups around the country. Lucile received the Robroy Farquhar Award from the North Carolina Thespian Society in 1991. Yearly trips to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana to compete at the national level became normal for Mrs. Mac's kids.

In 1993 Lucile and Johnny relocated to Wilmington and Lucile took the leading role in the Hoggard High School Theatre Department. The tradition of excellence in theatrical performance under Mrs. Mac continued until 1999 when she took a medical retirement. A highlight of those years at Hoggard was taking her Thespians to perform in the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Lucile proved herself to be the right actress for the role of Theatre Teacher by landing speaking roles in films such as "The Winter People" alongside Kurt Russell and Kelly McGinnis, "The Handmaid's Tale" starring Robert Duvall and Faye Dunaway, and Nell with principal actors Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson-produced by Jodie Foster, among many others. Lucile was also a frequent character actress in the Matlock series. Teaching by leading made her credible but it was her ability to personally connect with her students which made her memorable.

Act III: "The Retirement Years" Lucile's first bout with cancer brought about her retirement from the theatre classroom but could not quiet her spirit. Thirty-three years in the role of public educator was to be admired. Partnering with her son, John, she began to co-write and produce religious dramas. Southside Baptist Church was the stage for "Footsteps of Jesus" and "Deliverance"- both Easter Passion plays, and her last published play, "Freedom Fires" which honors the many men and women in the US military. Lucile's mind was always in script-writing mode and those who knew her often heard, "That needs to be in a play!"

In her more recent retirement years Lucile had enjoyed playing the role of Grandma the best. Her grandchildren Matthew, Sophia, and Fisher were the light of her days. She loved celebrating the simple joys of life with them. And they have loved every moment of it. Her children, Sunday (Dan) Allen and John (Kim) McIntyre and her grandchildren have wonderful memories to sustain them.

Visitation was held Thursday at Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church, with a celebration of life.

Memorials may be made to NC Baptists on Mission, PO Box 1107, Cary, North Carolina 27512. Services provided by Andrews Mortuary.