By Joycelyne Fadojutimi/infinitieplusmag.com Photos by Michael Cavazos

For Derrith Bondurant, life is rooted in a simple yet profound philosophy: “You can either have faith that things will work out or believe that they won’t—but you’re going to have faith either way.”

It’s a philosophy that has shaped her outlook on life and guided her through every chapter. Rather than seeing success as a series of sacrifices, she views each goal as an opportunity to give back. Her life, lived under the canopy of God’s creation, has been dedicated to being useful and generous in service to others.

A Faith-Filled Beginning
Derrith and her husband, Bob Bondurant, began their married life in Dallas. Newly graduated from college, they met through the singles ministry at Prestonwood Baptist Church, which they had only recently begun attending. Surrounded by their growing church family, the couple married in 1982, marking the start of a journey down what Derrith fondly describes as “the great highway of life.”

Bob, a native of Weslaco, Texas, and Derrith, originally from Gulfport, Mississippi, both brought unique passions and perspectives to their union. Derrith graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in speech communication and public relations, and a minor in music. Bob, a proud Texas A&M Aggie, earned his degree in accounting—and wasted no time in sharing his school spirit.

“I feel like I’ve been an Aggie for the entire 43 years we’ve been married,” Derrith laughs. “Bob tells everyone I’m a bigger Aggie fan than he is.”

Aggie Spirit, Lifelong Commitment
Their connection to Texas A&M runs deep. While fall weekends are often centered around Aggie football, their involvement with the university extends far beyond the stadium. The Bondurants have endowed scholarships, supported campus building campaigns, sponsored students, and actively participated in academic initiatives. They are proud members of the Champions Council, the 12th Man Foundation, and the Chancellor’s Council.

Even after retirement, Derrith continued her service by joining the Dean’s Advisory Council for the School of Public Health.

“As you can imagine, Aggie football is our focus in the fall,” she says with a smile. “We enjoy it until about mid-November—then disappointment usually sets in.”

Roots in Community
After their first year of marriage, Derrith and Bob moved to Longview, Texas, planning to stay just a few years. Instead, they spent over three decades as integral members of the community. In 2016, they relocated to Tyler, but the impact they left in Longview remains a lasting part of their legacy.

Bob has spent 42 years with Martin Companies in Kilgore. He currently serves as President and CEO of Martin Midstream Partners LP . “Martin is a blessing to Bob , and I know Bob is a blessing to Martin.” He previously held the position of Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer. His leadership is marked by a deep care for the company’s employees, whom he views not just as colleagues, but as a second family.

From building careers rooted in purpose to supporting education and nurturing community, the Bondurants have lived a life of faithful service—one grounded in gratitude, love, and the quiet strength of doing good wherever they are planted.

A Life Led by Faith, A Career Fueled by Passion, Guide by Purpose
Throughout her academic and professional life, Derrith Bondurant has followed a consistent guiding principle: Seek God’s direction, serve with purpose, and surround yourself with great people.

Her career began shortly after college and marriage, when she accepted a leadership role in Dallas as Vice President of Marketing for Kinder Brothers & Associates. It was a remarkable start for a young professional, laying the foundation for a diverse and impactful career.

A New Chapter in Longview
Following her move to Longview, Texas, Derrith accepted the position of Public Information Officer at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Several years later, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish her own advertising agency. That venture soon evolved into a strategic partnership with the Longview Convention and Visitors Bureau—and it was during this chapter that her passion for tourism was truly ignited.

“That season of promoting tourism was such a joyful time in my life—filled with travel and friendships that spanned the globe.” — Derrith Bondurant

Making a Mark in Tourism
Her dedication to tourism led to collaborations with the Texas Tourism Office and her appointment as Executive Director of America’s Heartland—a consortium promoting travel to cities across the Midwest and South, including Dallas, St. Louis, Albuquerque, New Orleans, and Oklahoma City. In that role, Derrith organized international trade missions to Canada, California, and London.

One notable partnership was with Branson‘s largest tour operator, Pat Shoe. “Pat and I met on a tourism trade mission in Canada. She asked me to come to Branson to help her. The celebrity musicians needed to learn the tourism industry— tour, groups, buses, and all. So, I did. Even though it meant traveling back and forth, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Branson was the rising tourism destination, so it was a miracle offer, and the timing was perfect.”

“They knew everything about performing,” Derrith says, “but very little about tourism and working with tour operators.”

Branson: A Stage and a Spotlight
For two tourism seasons, Derrith split her time between Longview and Branson. She initially served as Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Bobby Vinton’s Blue Velvet Theater, where he performed regularly with the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra.

“Promoting Bobby and the orchestra remains one of the highlights of my life,” she shares. “He was truly one of the kindest individuals I’ve had the privilege to work with.”

Her success in Branson opened the door to another cherished opportunity: working with the Osmond Family Theater. A lifelong fan of the Osmonds and their music, Derrith accepted the role of Director of Tourism and fondly referred to her office as “Heaven on Earth.”

“I loved their music. I loved the Osmond brothers and their children who also performed. It never felt like work.”

Derrith supported the entire Osmond family, including parents George and Olive, who performed daily. She was present for their golden wedding anniversary celebration, where all the Osmond siblings gathered in Branson. The youngest brother, Jimmy, owned the theater and employed his older siblings, creating a truly family-oriented environment.

Even after her time in Branson ended, Derrith continued to work with the family as publicist for Alan Osmond and made visits to Utah.

A Grateful Return
While her time in tourism was rich with experience and personal fulfillment, Derrith ultimately felt called back to Texas. The frequent travel began to feel like deployments—brief, purpose-filled missions followed by a welcome return home. Throughout it all, her husband Bob remained a steadfast source of encouragement.

“I felt like a military wife who got to go on missions and then return,” she reflects. “And Bob was very encouraging and supportive.”

Her professional journey is a testament to what can happen when faith, passion, and purpose align. Whether promoting hospitals or headline performers, Derrith Bondurant has brought vision, heart, and grace to every chapter of her remarkable career.

From Opera to Advancement: A Journey of Music, Mission, and Meaning. Derrith Bondurant’s Unexpected Path from the Stage to Strategic Giving.

A New Tune in East Texas: Setting the Bar for Performing Arts in East Texas

Not long after returning home, Derrith Bondurant received an unexpected offer: a friend encouraged her to work with the local opera company. Though her only previous brush with opera had been performing an aria during the talent portion of the Miss Mississippi pageant, Derrith was no stranger to music—or marketing. Confident in her ability to learn on the job, she accepted the role of Executive Director of Opera Longview.

What began as a leap of faith quickly became a passionate endeavor. Under her leadership, the organization was rebranded as Opera East Texas, a name that better reflected its growing reach and ambition.

“I loved growing that music for arts and culture in a rodeo town,” Derrith reflects. “We added big-time performances and set the bar high for music in East Texas.”

It was really a Godwink encounter finding a conductor in Utah. The conductor of the New York City Opera happened to be conducting the summer season at the Utah Opera Festival when Derrith visited one summer to make connections. Jerry Steichen, who conducted “Phantom of the Opera” and “Cats” on Broadway has become a lifelong friend and after months of consideration, also became her Conductor and Artistic Director throughout her seven-year tenure at Opera East Texas. His commitment, connections
and experience was instrumental in elevating the company’s artistic standards as well as putting East Texas on the map for opera.

Steichen, based in New York City, would line up auditions for singers. So, Derrith traveled to the Big Apple to hire top-tier talent.

Steichen and Derrith developed a national singing competition, and production fundraisers like “Pasta, and Puccini” showcasing local voices and rising student performers. Another notable creation was “Kaleidoscope,” a signature summer fundraising event using the professional singers in town for the opera production to entertain with more familiar musical theater, popular repertoire, and Broadway favorites fused with fine dining.

According to Derrith, many of the company’s performers were remarkably successful singers at the Metropolitan Opera, on Broadway, and performing on major world-renowned stages.

One of her favorites, Jim Cornelison, who starred in “Madame Butterfly” as Captain Pinkerton under her direction, has become famous. He became the official National Anthem singer for the Chicago Blackhawks and replaced Jim Neighbors to sing “Back Home Again in Indiana” at the Indy 500 each year.

“It was one of the most culturally enriching seasons of my life,” Derrith recalls. “And it gave me friendships I still treasure today.”

Opening Doors Through Giving
Derrith’s work in the opera world soon led to a pivotal opportunity. As she expanded the Opera East Texas board to include community leaders in Tyler—particularly in the University of Texas at Tyler’s Office of University Advancement—she found new purpose and new allies.

In 2007, she accepted a position at UTT as Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving, serving within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her success in this role led to additional appointments, including Development Officer for the College of Business and Technology and Director of Alumni Relations. Her versatile background in communications, performance, and fundraising proved invaluable as the university experienced a period of dynamic growth.

“I’m grateful God placed me there,” she says. “My life really took a major turn toward getting people to give—and learning how to give more of myself.”

A Musical Foundation
Derrith’s lifelong relationship with music began early. She initially enrolled as a piano major at the Mississippi University for Women, later transitioning to voice. She eventually transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi, where she continued her studies in music while pursuing a major in speech communication with concentrations in marketing and public relations.

“I had so many music credits, I ended up having to minor in it,” she laughs.

Music not only shaped her education—it helped finance it. Through talent competitions and pageants, she earned scholarships that covered nearly her entire college experience. After being named Gulfport’s Junior Miss, she received a full scholarship to MUW. She went on to win Miss Gulfport twice more, securing funding for additional years of college, and was later crowned Miss Southern at USM. Her second runner-up placement at Miss Mississippi USA further supported her musical training and ultimately funded her move to Dallas.

“Music really paid for my college,” she explains. “I entered every pageant possible to win scholarship money.”

A turning point came when one of the judges—frank but well-meaning—told her that although her performance was stellar, her frame didn’t match the era’s pageant ideal. Instead, they encouraged her to pursue modeling and referred her to the Kim Dawson Agency in Dallas.

“That’s how I began my life in Texas,” she says with a smile.

A New Role in Healthcare Advancement.
After seven successful years at UT Tyler, Derrith was offered another opportunity—this time in healthcare. She accepted the position of Vice President of Advancement for UT Health Northeast. Her experience in fundraising, community engagement, and institutional advancement helped promote this growth during a transformative era.

Derrith Bondurant’s story is not one of linear progression, but of faithful pivots—each chapter more enriching than the last. Whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in executive leadership, she has made a career out of listening to the music of opportunity and answering the call with grace, excellence, and purpose.

“If It Is to Be, It Is Up to Me”

Derrith Bondurant is about mission of faith, friendship, and fearless connection.

A New Season of Purpose

“It seemed like things changed for me at that point,” says Derrith Bondurant, reflecting
on a pivotal moment in her later career. “I’ve always found value in every job I’ve held,
but I also need to feel that I am needed.”

That drive—to be both purposeful and essential—has defined Derrith’s journey across decades of leadership, creativity, and service. As she stepped into a new professional chapter, her wide-ranging skills once again ensured she made a meaningful difference. Patients, colleagues, and community members alike felt the warmth of her commitment, and so did she.

Even as she transitioned into retirement, Derrith approached it not as a slowing down, but as a redirection of her energy.

“I wanted to be useful and giving, to contribute to the lives of others, and still stretch and grow—so I retired,” she says with characteristic humor and sincerity.

Faith at the Center
At the heart of it all is faith. Derrith’s Christian beliefs are not only her foundation but her compass. Raised in the church, she has never taken her eyes off her Lord and Savior. Her life has been shaped by the music ministers who inspired her, the congregations who surrounded her, and the sacred rhythms of service, worship, and song.

Choir tours, Vacation Bible School, and mission trips instilled in her a lasting devotion—not just to faith, but to people. Her spiritual community remains central. She counts members of her youth group at First Baptist Church of Gulfport among her favorite friends to this day.

A Life of Community Engagement
Today, Derrith remains deeply involved in volunteer work. She serves with Hospice of East Texas and on the board of Tyler’s Arts and Culture Collective. She supports and Civic involvement has always been a part of her calling—she has contributed to Chamber of Commerce Boards, the East Texas State Fair, and Leadership Tyler, where she proudly graduated with Class 22, fondly nicknamed “Double Deuce.”

“When someone asks for help, I say yes,” she says simply.

Her creativity continues to shine. Derrith recently launched her first-ever podcast, Diddly Squat, where she curates conversations with guests across a range of topics—equal parts meaningful and light-hearted. It’s a new venture, but one that feels familiar: building connections, sharing stories, and lifting voices.

No agenda, Just Awesome Women: Gals Gathering Turns Coffee into Connections

Perhaps the most poignant example of Derrith’s instinct to connect others is Gals Gathering, a group she founded seven years ago. What began as a breakfast meet-up for eight women who were new to Tyler has blossomed into a 50-member network of women dedicated to friendship, faith, and community betterment.

They meet monthly at Happy’s Fish House for fellowship and community action announcements – often visiting local organizations, like Salvation Army, Goodwill, and more. The women support each other, plan trips, hold book clubs, and even help organize community events when needed. “We invite each other to everything and stay connected. Derrith said. “ The main purpose is to ‘show up’ and sincerely care.”

“ I want to make a new friend and send a card to someone every day, “she says earnestly.

“I started with eight ladies who didn’t know what to do with their free time or how to get involved,” Derrith explains. “Now it’s grown into a group of women who love and lift one another.”

Gals Gathering takes regular excursions, visiting art shows and theaters, picking blueberries and tulips, and road-tripping to places like Fort Worth and Nashville. The joy is real, but so is the support. The group has walked through loss together: one member died after a long battle with cancer, another tragically in a car accident. In both instances, the strength of the group was palpable.

“It’s amazing how women with no agenda can build something this strong just through
friendship,” Derrith says. “I love it more than anything. It’s my calling.”

Living Legacy
Though officially “retired,” Derrith continues to dream big. She jokes about becoming a comic or tour guide, fueled by her love of travel and meeting new people. She describes herself as a “connector”—someone who finds joy in introducing others, facilitating friendships, and weaving community together.

“I want to make a new friend every day,” she says earnestly.

She lives by a simple philosophy: approach each day with gratitude, act with kindness, and lift others with love. Her drive isn’t about achievement, but for achievement’s sake—it’s about making things better for everyone.

The Echo of a Legacy
Derrith’s husband, Bob, often says her mind never stops—and no one disagrees. Her creativity and boundless energy have become hallmarks of her life’s work. She continues to be a vital part of the East Texas community, energized by her faith and guided by the words etched on her grandmother’s tombstone:

“Do it now.”

Derrith is guided by the words etched on her grandmother’s tombstone: an inspirational call to action message to live a life of compassion and service by Stephen Grellet, a French American Quaker missionary:

“I shall not pass through this world, but once, any good, therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it. Or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.”

Hence, Derrith says, “Don’t save your best for another day–– that day might never come. Don’t save your kindness for tomorrow, tomorrow may never come.”

With grace, humor, and unrelenting compassion, Derrith Bondurant continues to shape the East Texas community and enrich the lives of everyone she meets—one song, one smile, and one gathering at a time.

10 Things to Know About Derrith Bondurant

1. Faith First

Derrith’s life is grounded in her Christian faith. Her earliest influences were music ministers, choir tours, and mission trips, which shaped her lifelong commitment to service.

2. Pageants Paid for College

She won multiple pageants—including Gulfport’s Junior Miss and Miss Gulfport (twice!)—which helped fund her entire college education through scholarships.

3. From Opera to Advancement

Despite limited exposure to opera, she led Opera East Texas to regional acclaim as Executive Director—introducing major productions, national talent, and educational outreach.

4. A Career Connector

Derrith has served in leadership roles across healthcare, higher education, tourism, and the arts, including as VP of Advancement for Health Northeast and at UT Tyler.

5. Gals Gathering Founder

What started as a breakfast group for newcomers to Tyler is now a 50+ member powerhouse of community-minded women supporting nonprofits and each other.

6. Podcast Host

Never one to stop learning, Derrith recently launched her own podcast, Diddly Squat, where she interviews interesting guests and explores meaningful conversations.

7. Passionate Aggie

Though she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, Derrith proudly supports Texas A&M alongside her husband, Bob. She jokes that she’s a bigger Aggie fan than he is!

8. She Loves to Laugh

Derrith dreams of being a stand-up comic. Her natural wit, love of storytelling, and joyful spirit make her a favorite in any room.

9. Lifelong Learner

She started as a piano major, switched to voice, and later earned degrees in speech communication, public relations, and marketing, putting every skill to use in her career.

10. Her Motto? “Do It Now.”

Inspired by the words on her grandmother’s tombstone, Derrith believes in living with intention, kindness, and action. “I shall not pass this way again,” she says. “If it is to be, it is up to me.”