Thomas Oliver Lucius

Thomas Oliver Lucius, better known as “Tom”, was 91 years old when he passed away at his home in Potts Camp, MS on February 22, 2016. Tom was born in Meridian, MS and raised in Memphis, TN, the oldest son of Thomas G. ”Doc” Lucius and Katie Lucius. He and his brother, Earl Lucius (now deceased), learned early in life strong work ethics by working in their father’s family-run drug store. Tom use to tell stories of how he was called upon to be a delivery-boy, a soda jerk, and a janitor—during his pre-teen years and while attending Memphis Technical High School. Almost immediately after high school, Tom, entered the service of the U.S. Navy where he traveled, “seeing the world”. His job was to help guard the merchant ships that provided transport of much-needed supplies during the war. He was always very modest about his military efforts and always told how happy he was to return to Memphis where he began working at Jim Brown's. It is while working there he met the love of his life, Mary Nell Cook, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Cook of Potts Camp, MS. Their marriage would last for 63 years, until Mary Nell’s death in 2010. Tom would often comment that “Mary Nell was the best thing that happened” to him. He’d also say that if it hadn’t been for her, he probably would have gotten himself into “lots of trouble. Tom and Mary Nell lived their entire life together in Memphis where they raised their four sons: Wayne, Eddie, Jerry and Steve. After 3 years in the Navy, Tom would later go to work for the U.S. Post Office where he worked for 34 years, until he retired in 1984. Mary Nell retired from Zayre’s Department store, where she had worked as Assistant Manager for many years. Raising four boys was no easy chore, but Tom and Mary Nell did a wonderful job because they kept them occupied and out of trouble! Tom and the boys also worked a paper route for many years. They all remember the time, when they watched Tom chase his empty car as it traveled across the four lanes of Airways Boulevard. The car having shifted itself into drive while they were out delivering papers. Mary Nell helped with finding additional part-time jobs for the boys throughout the school year, many times at the store where she worked. Their summers were spent as a family at the lake, camping and skiing. Tom and Mary Nell continued the fishing and camping even after the boys grew up, making numerous friends and camping buddies along the way. In the evenings, the words, “Tom, is it margarita time?” would often be yelled across the campsites. Needless to say, Tom always obliged. Tom leaves these sons behind, Wayne (wife, Judy) of Atlanta, GA; Eddie (wife, Sharon) of Madison, MS; Jerry of Memphis, TN, and Steve of Potts Camp, MS. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren: Dr. Christopher Lucius of Portland Oregon; Jeff and Jason Lucius of Memphis, TN and Shannon Lucius Bragg of Newnan, GA; Tim Lucius of Gulfport, MS and Devin Lucius of Madison, MS. And one cannot forget his great-grandchildren, they were an additional source of pride to both Tom and Mary Nell. They are Bailey and Riley Lucius of Portland Oregon; Kara and Cameron Bragg of Newan, GA; and Cooper Grace Lucius of Memphis, TN.