Loree Lucas

Loree Lucas, Colonial Heights, died Saturday evening, August 24, 2013, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

While she lived in the Kingsport area all her life, she was an early and prominent member of the Colonial Heights community. An active member of the Colonial Heights United Methodist Church since 1958, Loree was also a beloved nursery school teacher at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church for many years. While she was an extraordinary wife, mother and homemaker, she was also a distinguished entrepreneur. In fact, nothing probably more exemplified the courage and fortitude of Loree Lucas than starting Colonial Interiors from scratch in the late 1960's, long before the role of women in business was the norm.

Although her schedule was busy, she always found the time to give back. In fact, she helped coordinate the meals on wheels program up to the time of her death. And as proud, life-long Democrat, she assisted voters at the Colonial Heights precinct in every election held since the 1970's.

Loree was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Paul Davidson, and a sister, Geneva Steadman.

She is survived by her spouse, Paul Lucas, Colonial Heights; her two beloved sons, Tommy Paul Lucas and his wife, Gwen of Knoxville, as well as J. Scott Lucas and his wife Paula, of Nashville. She had two grandsons, Jonathan Paul Lucas and Austin Scott Lucas; a dear sister, Betty Harris, Memphis; and two brothers, Bob of Kingsport, and Harry Kay of Charlotte, NC.

She had three special nephews by sister Geneva; Joe Steadman, Mark Steadman and Jeff Steadman. She also had four beautiful nieces Suzanne Harris Jackson (Memphis), Jennifer Harris (Nashville), Lisa Davidson Hencherick (Atlanta), and Angela Davidson Chastain of Hickory, N.C.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Robert Burlingham officiating.

The entombment service will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Austin and Jonathan Lucas; nephews, Jeff, Mark and Joe Steadman; and Wesley Jackson (Suzanne's husband). Honorary Pallbearers will be neighbors, Gary Hubble and Jay Taylor; church members, Owen Way, Gerald Gilbert and Jim Hall; former teacher, J.C. Akard; and close family friend, Randall Chase.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 508 Princeton Road, Johnson City, TN 37601, or online at www.cancer.org.