Rosie L. Lucas

On Wednesday, November 15, 2017 this gentle woman passed away in her sleep at the age of 101 in Casselberry, Florida.

She is survived by her only child, Robert (Bob) W. Lucas, his wife (Mary Joy), three grandchildren (Michael, Brittney, and Todd), three great-grandsons (Evan, Wesley, and Nathaniel), one sister (Bernice Maddy) and one brother (Samuel Arthur).

Born, Rosie Lee Arthur, to John Henry and Senia Sawyer Arthur in Roanoke Virginia on September 2, 1916, she was one of sixteen children for the couple. She met and married William (Bill) McKinley Lucas on December 20, 1934 in Salem, Virginia. He preceded her to heaven in 1977. Rosie never remarried and will be laid to rest next to the love of her life at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia on December 7, 2017.

Visitation: Tuesday, December 5, 2017 from 4-6 p.m. at the Newcomer Cremations, Funerals and Receptions (East Orlando Chapel -895 S. Goldenrod, Rd, Orlando, Florida 32822).

Celebration of Life: Saturday, January 13, 2018. Details will be available from the family at the viewing or can be obtained by calling Bob Lucas at 407-695-5535.

In Lieu of Flowers: Please make donations to:
Vitas Healthcare
2201 Lucien Way, Ste 100
Maitland, Florida 32751
Note on check: Team 191 Charitable Donation/Rosie Lucas

This lovely lady was a friend to everyone and loved her dog and faithful companion Katie (which she often referred to as “her baby”). As a dedicated mother and grandmother, Rosie got great joy and often expressed pride in her son Bob and all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She dedicated her life to caring for her family and for almost thirty years resided with her son and daughter-in-law in Florida. Until recent years when she was no longer physically able, she delighted in taking on chores around the house and caring for the grandchildren when they were younger. As a perfectionist, she had her schedule – Monday was washing clothes, Tuesday was ironing, Wednesday was scrubbing floors, Thursday was dusting, Friday was cleaning kitchen cabinets, Saturday was for anything not already done and Sunday was the Lord’s Day so no chores were allowed. When encouraged to relax a bit, she often said “it gives me something to do.” Growing up as part of a large family in rural Virginia, she learned early the values of respecting all people, contributing to the family, and working hard. Thankfully, she instilled those values in her son and other members of the family.

One of her favorite things to do was travel and cruise with her son and daughter-in-law. In doing so, many wonderful memories were formed in places like Mexico, Puerto Rico, various Caribbean islands, Hawaii, and her favorite place – Alaska. She visited the latter at age 95 and again celebrated her 100th birthday (six months after having hip replacement surgery!) She was the queen of the ship on that trip and after having the ship’s Captain and senior staff celebrate the occasion with a cake and rendition of “Happy Birthday” she spent the week having total strangers come up to her to share their best wishes and ask for photos with her. Two of her prized keepsakes from that birthday were a letter from President Barack Obama and Governor Rick Scott who both congratulated her on the 100th birthday milestone.

After she was slowed by the ravages of age and pain, she continued her favorite pastimes of working word search puzzles, adult coloring books, crocheting and watching Steve Harvey on the Family Feud.

Rest in peace dear lady… you earned it and you will be greatly missed by your family and those you left behind.