Mildred Joyce Lucas fondly known as “Joyce” was born on the Fourth of July, 1931 in Wake County, North Carolina to the union of the late Owen Leslie and Mattie Lee Scott. She was one of eight children and was raised in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina. Joyce at an early age gave her life to Christ and began serving in the Church as a member at St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church. After the passing of her husband, she returned home to her roots in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, and became very active in her church, community, civic organizations, and activities. Joyce was very instrumental in the Fuquay Community Development Corporation, where she served as a board member. She was a devoted supporter of the Town of Fuquay-Varina meetings, which she attended regularly.

She graduated from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1951. At the time of graduation, she held the title of North Carolina A&T ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) queen. Through a mutual friend Joyce met and married her late husband, Curtis Lucas in 1952. From this union, they were blessed with three children: Regina, Valerie, and Tracy. Joyce and her family eventually moved to New York where they raised their children. She also resided in Georgia and North Carolina and held various jobs and operated as a businesswoman until only a few months before her fall.

Even in retirement, she could not ignore her unyielding quest to improve the Fuquay Community she loved so much. Joyce was the oldest member of the Fuquay Consolidated Alumni Association and in 2002 she held the position of President. She went on to hold other positions, such as Parliament-Arium, Scholarship Committee and Assistant Secretary.

The Fuquay-Varina CDC put on a production of the play “A Raisin in the Sun.” Joyce accepted the role as Mrs. Willowmina Ophelia Johnson, the nosy and self-righteous neighbor. The play was very successful with two showings at Fuquay-Varina High School and one at Saint Augustine’s University, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The play was written up in the local newspaper “The Independent in 1994.” Although, involved in many events throughout the Church and Community, Joyce had a passion for flowers and a pretty yard.

Joyce transitioned peacefully from her earthly home early morning on November 19, 2023. She is survived by daughters Regina McDonald (Joseph), Valerie Diamond (Lawrence), son Tracy Lucas; six grandchildren Dannielle Joyce Peters (Paul), Monica Anne Kelley (Ricardo), Joy McDonald, Lawrence Edgar Diamond II (Shanna), Jodie Laurel McDonald and David Curtis Diamond; eleven great-grandchildren. Joyce is also survived by one sister Minnie Grant and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Private Viewing: 10:00-11:00 am (FAMILY ONLY)
11:00-11:30 am Public viewing both will take place Saturday, November 25, 2023, at St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church in Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.

Funeral will be held at 11:30 am Saturday, November 25, 2023, at St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church, 605 Bridge Street in Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.