Dewvaul Washington Tracy, Jr.

Dewvaul Washington Tracy, Jr. of Smithfield, Pennsylvania passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Mt. Marcina Manor, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, after an extended illness.

Dewvaul was born on August 3, 1940, in York Run, Pennsylvania to the late Dewvaul W. Sr. and Susan Corinne Hart Tracy. He was the eldest of eight children. The family relocated to Lake Lynn during his formative years.  Dewvaul was affectionately known as Jesse James, Iron Duke and Duke by family and friends. He graduated from Point Marion High School, Point Marion, Pennsylvania in 1959. At an early age, he gave his life to Christ at Beulah Baptist Church in Smithfield, Pennsylvania. Dewvaul was actively involved in the following ministries: Sunday School, Choir and BTU.

After high school, Dewvaul worked one year in Pittsburgh before matriculating at Virginia Union University (VUU) in Richmond, Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science. During Dewvaul’s tenure at VUU, he took a detour and enlisted into the United States Air Force where he fought in the Vietnam War. While at VUU, Dewvaul met and married the love of his life, Sandra Ann Epps. From this union, they welcomed two children: Dewvaul III and Vonda Kaye.

Dewvaul was a life-long learner where he earned a Master of Education Equivalency from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and completed other postgraduate work at various institutions in Virginia, West Virgina and Pennsylvania. Dewvaul’s religious studies included work at Virginia Union University School of Theology, Moody Bible School, Reform Presbyterian School of Theology and the National Baptist School of Christian Education.

Dewvaul worked in education for approximately thirty-five years. He spent most of his career teaching for Intermediate Unit I, California, Pennsylvania. He also taught at other schools and/or universities in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Dewvaul was a dedicated, committed, compassionate, true educator whose goal in life was to help others less fortunate than him.

Dewvaul was called to the ministry later in life. His first pastorate was at Second Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, where he served for approximately five years. His second pastorate was at his home church, Beulah Baptist Church, where he served for twenty-six years.

Dewvaul’s involvement in the community extended to the Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association, Inc. (YWBA), Headquarters and Christian Center where he served as the Executive Administrator, Dean of the YWBA Congress of Christian Education, Board Member of the Albert Gallatin Area School District, member of the Fayette County Behavioral Health Board and Life Member of the National Association For The Advancement Of Colored People.

Dewvaul was preceded in death by his daughter Vonda Kaye Tracy; his parents Dewvaul W. Sr. and Susan Corinne Hart Tracy; his sister Shirley Fields Robinson; his brother Raymond Tracy. Dewvaul leaves to celebrate his life, his wife Sandra E. Tracy; his son Dewvaul Tracy III (Cherice) of Chesterfield, Virginia; his granddaughter Mikala Tracy of Bremerton, Washington; his grandson Dewvaul Tracy IV of Chesterfield, Virginia; his siblings: Elizabeth Phifer (Solomon Sr. - deceased), New York; Rudolph Tracy (Marilyn), Illinois; Timothy Tracy (Antoinette), Smithfield; Joyce Wade (Donald – deceased), Smithfield; Donald Tracy (Marguerite), North Carolina; Charlotte Tracy, Uniontown; Archie West Jr. (Sherry), Fairchance; James West Sr. (Cheryl), Shoaf; special nieces: Halla Settles (Zachary), Uniontown; Marissa Reid (Antwon Sr.), North Carolina; Brother-in-law: Thomas H. Epps Jr. (Ruth), Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In Lieu of Flowers

The family request contributions be made in memory of Dewvaul W. Tracy Jr.

To: Beulah Baptist Church         or          Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association

Internment will be at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Cemetery, Route 119, Smithfield, Pennsylvania 15478.

Acknowledgement

The family of Dewvaul W. Tracy, Jr. would like to thank each of you for every expression of love, comfort and condolences given to us during this time.  A special thanks to the OSPTA Hospice team and the Doctors, Nurses and staff of Mt. Marcina Manor.

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