Lucile Garrett Plane

Lucile Garrett Plane, age 98, of Gatesville passed away Saturday, May 11, 2013. Lucile was born in Beaumont, Texas to Lucia Vedou and Oscar Pendleton Garrett on August 12, 1914. She lived in Beaumont during her youth and young adult years. Lucile attended Lamar University, UCLA and ultimately received a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Arizona State University. Lucile was a pioneer in many things having traveled with her devoted canine companion, Mr. J. to work in business administration positions in California, Arizona and Illinois in the 1940’s to 1970’s. In the early 1970’s she returned to Texas, after the passing of her father, and became the Chief Probation Officer and Project Director for the Deep East Texas Region Probation Department. Mr. W. J. Estelle, the then Executive Director of the Texas Department of Corrections, now known as Texas Department of Criminal Justice, noticed her dedication and work ethic and offered her the position of Senior Warden of the newly acquired Mountain View Unit in Gatesville. It was here she was a true pioneer in corrections, paving the way for other female wardens in a predominately male occupied field. She was respected by her peers, staff and the offenders. Due to her commitment, the Lucile G. Plane State Jail was named in her honor. A dedication ceremony was held in June 1995. Warden Plane, as she was known by many, loved to play bridge, attend plays, travel and read. Although she had no children, she had a special place in her heart for the Gatesville Boys and Girls Club. She was unable to attend many of the club’s special events, but followed their good works in the local newspaper. Warden Plane was also an avid supporter of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum and attended yearly reunions until her last years. She was a great supporter and contributor of the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Dept., awarding her as an honorary fireman. Warden Plane was a past member of the Gatesville City Council, Administrative Board of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum, and a lifetime member of the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation, a Life Member of the Coryell Memorial Healthcare System Volunteers, a member of the Coryell County Museum and Historical Center and the Baylor University President’s Club. She was awarded the Gatesville Senior Citizen of the Year award by the Gatesville Exchange Club. Warden Plane requested that memorials be made to the Texas Ranger Museum and Hall of Fame, 100 Texas Rangers Trail, Waco, TX 76706; Gatesville Public Library, 111 N. 8th, Gatesville, TX 76528; Coryell Museum and Historical Center, 718 E. Main, Gatesville, TX 76528; Baylor University Sonja Hogg Scholarship Fund, University Development, One Bear Place, #97026 Gift Processing, Waco, TX 76798; Boys and Girls Club of Gatesville, 206 S. 7th, Gatesville, TX 76528; or Gatesville Volunteer Fire Dept., 109 S. 23rd, Gatesville, TX 76528. Per Warden Plane’s request, there will be no services. A celebration of her life will be held on her birthday, August 12, 2013. Details will be announced at a later time.