Rachel M. Lucas

Rachel M. Lucas, age 95, passed away early on the morning of April 13th, 2019. Rachel was born in Bowden, Oklahoma, in 1924. She was the youngest child of Minnie and CV, and the younger sister of C.T. (Bit) and Lucretia, known as “Sister”. She grew up in Bowden and Kiefer, attending a small school which included all 8 grades. Her dad was in the pumping division of Gypsy Oil, which later became Gulf Oil. They lived in company housing along with several other families. She told her children that during the Depression her dad and another man shared a job so that both families could survive. She also said that her mom was “The best cook I ever knew”; after school she would have warm teacakes waiting for her children, with iced tea or lemonade.

When Rachel was 12 and in seventh grade, a new boy came into her class: Ray Lucas, who would later become her husband. But first they graduated from high school (Class of 1941) and Rachel attended business college. She had learned to drive two years earlier and with her friends spent time in the “big town” (compared to Kiefer) of Sapulpa. On Saturday nights the guys would cruise around in their cars and the girls would walk on the sidewalks, flirting with and teasing the boys.

Rachel and Ray were married in Sapulpa in 1942. He was in the US Army Air Corps and served in England for two years during World War II. Their daughter Barbara was born during this time and a second daughter, Mona, was born after the family moved to Texas following the war. During the Korean War, in 1950, Ray was recalled to active duty and they became a military family, living in Louisiana; Oklahoma; Chateauroux, France; Del Rio, Texas; and San Antonio before they both retired in 1986. Rachel worked for an insurance company and the utility company in Del Rio, and for Lincoln National Life Insurance in San Antonio and later in Houston.

Their daughters, Barbara and Mona, married and gave them four grandchildren. Mona married Bill Crum in 1969. Their children are Christen Crum Werley and Dustin Werley (parents of great grandson West), and Luke and Molly Crum. Barbara's husband was Jim Beckett, who passed away in 2016.

They also provided one grandson, Matthew Beckett, and one granddaughter, Julie Beckett. All of the family lives in Austin and Dripping Springs.

Rachel loved her family and her friends. Her older brother and sister adored her and remained devoted until their deaths. She also remained close to friends from elementary and high school, from their days in the Air Force, and the square dance friends they made in retirement. She and Ray began square dancing when they lived in Houston and enjoyed being members of several dance clubs, both in Houston and in Fredericksburg and Austin, where they later moved. They settled in Austin in 1990.

Rachel and Ray also loved being out in the country, including a small “farm” near Palestine, Texas, where they camped for several years. Trips to the mountains of Colorado and Utah gave them many adventures and happy memories. They also attended and served several Methodist churches; they joined Oak Hill Methodist Church in 2000.

Other activities Rachel loved were cross word puzzles and reading. Her declining eyesight the last few years made these activities difficult, but she kept them up as long as possible. Later she listened to books on tape and continued that until last week; there were 12 audio books stacked on her table at Legacy Oaks.

After Ray died in 2008 Rachel lived in their condo in Westcreek for a few years, then moved to The Continental retirement community, where she was an avid bingo player. A highlight of her time there was winning over $84 in a “cover-all” game. In 2017 she moved briefly to Ledgestone and then to Legacy Oaks. Again she was a champion bingo player, although the pots were smaller, and she made new friends with whom she shared meals and other activities.

Rachel's great-grandson Westbrook Werley was born in 2016. He was named after her mother, whose maiden name was Westbrook. Rachel loved his visits, watching him play, and especially his hugs. She was delighted when he learned to say “Gigi” (great grandma).

Ray and Rachel's strong marriage and devotion to each other for more than 65 years was an example to all of our family. We'd like to think that now they are together again, square-dancing in heaven.