Carolyn Lucas

Carolyn Patton Lucas, 84, of Beckley, passed on Friday, September 30^th at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital following an extended illness.

Born Carolyn Sue Patton on May 26, 1938, in Beckley, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Boyd and Dorothy Hazel Cantabery Patton.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Gary "Punk" Patton of Richmond, Virginia.

Following her father’s death, her mother’s remarriage to the late Ray H. “Maggie” Magee blessed Carolyn and Punk with a loving stepfather and his daughter Bunny.

She was graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1956 and Mary Washington College in 1961.  Her B.S. degree in Medical Technology prepared her for a career in the medical field which she greatly enjoyed. Later in life she became a real estate agent and worked at Sigmund, McLean, Hunt and Payne in Beckley.

While attending Institute Grade School, Carolyn met a sweet, kind and persistent boy, who, after years of a few interrupted adventures in courtship, wore her down and won her heart.  On April 30, 1960, she married Charles French "Chuck" Lucas and their adventure together continued for the next 62 years.

Chuck’s job would transfer the couple from Raleigh, NC to the Washington, DC area.  Her son Charles French Lucas, II was born in Alexandria, VA in 1965.  “Chucker’s” little brother Christopher Patton Lucas followed ten years later in Beckley.

Brought up in the First Baptist Church on Neville Street, Mrs. Lucas and her young family joined the Beckley Presbyterian Church upon their return to Beckley in 1973 where she would enjoy many years as a member of the handbell choir and women's circle.  She served as a board member of the Beckley Salvation Army and Raleigh County Public Library, a member of Azalea Garden Club, and Black Knight Country Club.

In addition to her grandparents, parents, brother, stepfamily, parents-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lucas, brother - and sister-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lucas, Mrs. Lucas and her husband experienced the heartbreak of losing their son Chucker this past January in Highlands, NC.

Carolyn leaves behind her husband Chuck and their son Chris; her brother’s children Lyrae Layne of Florida, Michelle Hitchcock of Mechanicsville, VA, Mark and Tammy Patton, of Ashland, VA and their families; brother- and sister-in-law Van and Leigh Lucas, of Roanoke, VA, their children Katie and her husband Steve Murray of Hillsboro, NC, and Ben and Jocelyn Lucas, of Boone, NC.  Jim and Nancy’s son Jimmy Lucas and his wife Robin of Flat Top, and daughter Lorna Lucas Yates and her husband Jamie, of Orlando, FL and their families; dear friends, wonderful neighbors, and her beloved four-legged companions, Pepper and Rev (Appalachian Mutt Terriers) to mourn her passing.

Her funeral service will be celebrated by the Rev. Monte Mitchell and the Rev. Doc Adkins at noon Thursday, October 6^th at Beckley Presbyterian Church on Kanawha Street.  Visitation will begin one hour prior.  A reception will be held immediately following the service in the church's Fellowship Hall—all are invited.  Hal Price, Brad Wartella, Robbie Wooton, Ryan Snuffer, and Charles McNeel will carry Mrs. Lucas to her final resting place at Sunset Memorial Park for a private burial.  Honorary pallbearers will be Archie Carey, Howard Mollohan, Mike Moore, Guy Shelton, and Richard Wooton.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Beckley Area Foundation (BAF), the Raleigh County Public Library, or Covenant House (covenanthouse.org), a charity helping youths experiencing homelessness.