Leona R. Lucus

Leona Lucus, 99 a longtime Fort Sumner resident died Friday, February 6, 2004 at Laurel Ridge Care Center in Clovis, NM following an illness. Leona was born January 22, 1905 to the home of Fred Ruckman and the former Electa Edith Drake in their half dugout near Waurika, Oklahoma Territory. When she was 3, Leona’s family homesteaded three miles west of Elida, NM where her parents operated a Dairy. Leona began school in 1911 in a one room, one teacher school a mile from her home. She graduated from high school at Elida, NM in 1924. She married Gordon Lucus on Christmas Day 1926 at the family home. Gordon and Leona continued to run the family dairy for several years milking as many as 28 cows, twice a day. They made their home in Fort Sumner in 1936 and Leona worked at the Fort Sumner Air Base for several years. Gordon and Leona also owned and operated a car dealership for several years in Fort Sumner. Leona also worked as a secretary for the Eastern New Mexico Natural Gas Company in Fort Sumner. Leona served as secretary for the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner for many years where she was also a member of various Methodist Women’s Organizations. She was an active member of Rebekah’s where she served as Past State President of the organization. Leona enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, playing the piano, reading, and crocheting. Leona was preceded in death by her husband Gordon Lucus on January 2, 1994; a brother Vernon Ruckman on November 13, 1980, and her parents. She is survived by a brother-in-law, Dave Lucus of Victorville, California. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 11, 2004 from the First United Methodist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Monty Leavell officiating. Burial will follow in the Lucus family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Randel Mansell, Bob West, Bob Hunt, Bill West, David Bailey, and Bob Addison. Honorary bearers will include Clifford Dunson, Jake West, and all her friends and neighbors. The family prefers memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 480; Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10AM until 6PM and Wednesday from 10AM until Noon at the funeral home. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311 www.chavezfuneralhome.com