Lucas, David

Every day we write our own obituaries with our actions. David Isaiah Lucas did just that! This is what he wanted you to know about him… Born: Florence County May 16, 1931 He was the son of the late John Lucas and Veola Lucas. He had five siblings: Derwood Lucas (deceased), Luree Lucas Clark (deceased), Ernestine McClam Williams (deceased); and one surviving sister whom he loved dearly, Lottie Lucas Matthews (Wheeler); Education: Graduated from Wilson High School in 1951 AA- Charleston Southern University B.S. – Business Management, Limestone College B.S. -Nursing, South Carolina State University, 2003, at age of 72 (The oldest student to ever graduate from SCSU Nursing School) Life: Retired from the US Navy as a Master Chief Hospital Corpsman after 26 Years; Life Member of the NAACP and President of the Florence Branch NAACP for six (6) years; Lead the Pee Dee Concern Citizens for several years; Member of American League Post 228 Florence; Served as Adjutant for several years; Grew up in the Olive Grove Community where he attended Church and school; Member of Cumberland UMC in Florence, S.C. where he served as President of United Methodist Men for several years; Member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Columbia, SC where he served as the Parish Nurse; He organized the church’s annual health fairs in the surrounding communities and served as President of the Wesley United Methodist Men for nine Years; Chairman of the Greater United Spaulding Height Community for several years, Florence, SC; He lead the Florence Branch NAACP in reapportion the city of Florence, the county council, the state house of representative, the state Senate, and District one school Board; Under his leadership, the NAACP was instrumental in getting the city of Florence to appoint the City of Florence first Black attorney. He led the efforts to get the first Black Judge appointed in Florence County and the effort to get the first Black appointed to head the City of Florence Police Department. As a result, the city of Florence currently has 3 African Americans on city council, 2 African Americans on county council, an African American in State Senate 30, and an African American in State House 62; He worked tirelessly with the NAACP and the Pee Dee Coalition of Concern People to advance fairness for all of people regardless of race, religion or nationality, and he wanted to remember most for these causes; He worked for the Department of Mental Health in Columbia, SC, for five years before retiring (January 1, 2011). Family: He was married to Ruth McClain Lucas for 37 years; They had three children (in order): David Maurice Lucas of Philadelphia, PA; Dr. Vivian Lucas (J. Michael DeRienzo) Gallman-DeRienzo of Florence, S.C., and Michael Renard (Janet Muldrow Lucas) Lucas of Milwaukie, WI; He had five grandchildren (in order): Takeita Shavon Rhodes, Jennifer Channel Gallman, Matthew James Gallman, Michael Lucas, Jr. (M.J.), Coker McClain Lucas (Mac), and one great-grand son, Treves Rhodes; He had nine nieces and nephews: Geraldine Lucas Schleicher (James); Carolyn Clark (deceased); Marilyn Clark Toddman; Christine Clark; Jethro Matthews (Cheryl ); Frank Matthews (Joan); Wheeler , Jr. (Carilla); Theodore Matthews (Gwen); Edward Alphonso (Wee Wee, deceased) (Louise); and a host of other relatives and many friends.