Judith Lucas

Judith Ann Lucas (Judy), 81 years old, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Trinity Village located in Hickory, North Carolina. She peacefully left her earthly home, leaping into the arms of her Heavenly Father. Her faith has now become her sight. Judy was born August 9, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Betty Louise who was married to Vernard Scott (Scotty) Coleman, Judy’s stepfather. Judy grew up in Owosso, Michigan attending Owosso High School from 1956-1960, and Owosso Wesleyan Pilgrim Holiness Church in her teens. She married the late Larry David Lucas, on June 12, 1965, and together they had two sons and one daughter.

Judy is the oldest of 3 siblings and is survived by her sisters Sharon (John) Lowrie, and Tami Coleman including extended family whom she loved dearly. She is also survived by her 3 children and 6 grandchildren: Timothy Lucas of Dallas, Texas, Jeremy Lucas (Camilla) of Hickory, North Carolina and their children, Joshua, Chloe, Owen, and Brody, as well as Melody DeCoe (James) of Hickory, North Carolina and their 3 daughters, Elle, Ana, and Ava. Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Betty Louise, and Vernard S. Coleman (Owosso), ex-husband Larry Lucas (Howell), and brother, Donald (Patti) Coleman (Maui, Hawaii).

Judy’s influence spans many years and countless lives of all ages as she fulfilled her lifelong
purpose of teaching. She began her teaching journey when she went to Owosso Bible College from 1960-1963 and then transferred to Olivet Nazarene College (now University), in Kankakee, Illinois from 1963-1965. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching, in May 1965, and quickly married Larry Lucas, moving to Northville, Michigan. Judy began her teaching career in Northville Public Schools. After a couple of years, she and Larry moved to Howell and Judy began teaching for Howell Public Schools. There, she taught 1 st grade for 10 years in Northeast and Northwest Elementary Schools, where she became widely and affectionately known as Mrs. Lucas. One year, there was some rearranging within the school system, and to her surprise, she was placed at McPherson Middle School teaching 7 th grade Judy taught 7 th grade for 22 years, and during this time pursued her master’s degree from Mary Grove College in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated on August 5, 2000, with a Master’s in the Art of Teaching. In June of 2003, Mrs. Lucas officially retired from Howell Public Schools, but she could not leave her love for the students and colleagues. She continued substitute teaching for 8 additional years in Howell Public Schools and then 3 additional years at Livingston Christian School, thus equaling more than 40 years in the classroom! Certainly, Mrs. Lucas left a legacy for these students.
If you had Mrs. Lucas as a teacher, you might remember her remarkable intonation while reading classic books aloud in the classroom or singing silly songs to change up the mundane curriculum.

Along with Mrs. Lucas’ career in the public school system, she was active in the church. Judy attended Howell Nazarene Church for more than 35 years, serving in various roles: adult choir and chorale groups, soloist, children’s director of musicals, children’s church teacher, and Vacation Bible School director, including several other ministries. She loved singing and even produced a CD of her favorite songs.

Judy was instrumental in the new church plant in Fowlerville, called Fowlerville Church of the Nazarene. She helped with the children’s programs and provided many administrative duties in various support roles to get the church up and running. Judy loved the Nazarene Church and her involvement continued through mission trips that began in the fall of 2003. Judy did 10 missionary journeys to various islands including Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, and Dominica. She started and taught children’s Bible quizzing on these islands. One year, she even accompanied several quizzers who flew in from Jamaica for the Nazarene World Quiz in Indianapolis, Indiana!

She was so successful in her efforts to form a quizzing legacy on these islands that a short missionary book was written about her called Adventures of the Jamaican Quiz Kids, by Wes Eby. Her time of missionary travels and teaching kids of other cultures about the Bible was one of her greatest accomplishments and life’s joys.

Along with her recent years of missionary travels to different islands, which lasted from 2003 to
2019, Judy spent the winters in Florida serving at Winter Haven Church of the Nazarene, teaching and directing children’s events. Likewise, during her summers in Michigan, she would be found leading Vacation Bible School or organizing children’s church in various locations throughout the Nazarene Church. Additionally, Judy would visit all of Howell Public School libraries and gather the unwanted or outdated books and collect the lost and found items that remained from the school year. Judy would sort the books and materials, wash the clothes from the lost and found, and disperse those items to missionary organizations, and underprivileged people in need, or take the items on the next mission trip for their library. It was an honor for her to help people and provide items that they could not acquire or afford. In the most recent years, Judy carried out her end of days living near two of her children in Hickory, North Carolina. She sang in the choir at Tabernacle Baptist Church and continuously tried to gather residents in her community to attend church with her. She spent time gathering her collections of children’s books, teaching materials, and journals continuing to share with people who would enjoy them. She also connected with friends of all ages and in all places, via her phone and WhatsApp, being sure to check in on those she loved. More importantly, she made lasting memories with her beloved children and grandchildren hoping they would carry her legacy of loving Jesus and loving others.

A service to celebrate Ms. Judy Lucas’ life will be held at Brighton Nazarene Church located at
7669 Brighton Road, Brighton, Michigan 48116 on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends starting at 10:00 am. A meal for all attendees will be provided immediately following the service.

Cards of condolence or encouragement may be mailed to:
Melody DeCoe
4322 3 rd Street Pl NW
Hickory, NC 28601

Instead of flowers, Judy’s wish is either: 1) to further missions on the islands she visited, providing materials they need for children’s programs and quizzing, or 2) to raise funds to allow her cottage on the Nazarene Campgrounds (Judy’s House of Missions) to be a respite for missionaries and pastors for free.
If you would like to donate to either of these causes, please note on your gift: Children’s Ministries or Judy’s House of Missions. You can write a check to Melody DeCoe, or Venmo at @Melody-DeCoe.