Lucia Worth DuBois Vanderpool, Ed.D. left this Earth on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at 84 years old, as her petite body simply grew fatigued of fighting multiple illnesses. She was born in Jackson, Mississippi, December 6, 1936. A graduate of Harding Academy in Searcy, Arkansas, Lucia also earned her B.B.A degree of Office Administration from the University of Memphis, a M.S. degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas, and at age 72, an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Union University. She strongly believed it is never too late for anyone to earn an education. In addition, Lucia was a retired college professor, with twenty-six years of teaching experience in higher academia, including seventeen years’ experience in distance education and online learning. Moreover, she was presented with so many awards and recognitions, they cannot all be listed. Also, Lucia was asked to attend many academic presentations where she presented her published literature regarding innovative technology, software design, and student retention as well as various other topics within higher education.
Most recently, Lucia was retired and teaching part-time for Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, Tennessee. Before that, she was an Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems at Baptist College of Health Sciences, served as a Graduate Faculty Mentor and Instructor for the Tennessee Board of Regents Online Degree Program, and was an Innovative Specialist with The University of Memphis Advanced Learning Center as well as an Academic Advisor.
Growing up in Jackson, Lucia was exposed to Southern charm and grace, which she demonstrated daily. She began studying classical piano at age four, performing at recitals with her younger sister, Claudette, and they continued performing throughout their childhood. Lucia loved music, and in grade school, took up the clarinet, in addition to playing piano. In 10th grade, she became 2nd Chair in her marching band. Moreover, Lucia was brought up in a Christian home, where she studied the Bible and learned to love God. This led her to Harding College, now Harding University, in Searcy, Arkansas, where she met her husband, Ken Vanderpool. They married May 26, 1957 at the College Street Church of Christ in Searcy. Lucia dropped out of college early, supporting Ken. Once he graduated college, they moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Ken continued his graduate studies at Temple University. Ken came from a Christian background, as well, and the couple raised their four children in the churches of Christ. Their partnership was one of equality, though Lucia doted on Ken, always his steady rock in every aspect of their 64 years of marriage. They had a wonderful romance, full of love, respect, and admiration for one another.
Lucia was preceded in death by her daughter, Melanie Denise Vanderpool Jerden, her grandson, James Gilbert Hodge, her sister, Claudette DuBois Jones, and her parents, Gilbert Eldredge and Georgia Elvira Hamby DuBois. She is survived, and will be deeply missed, by her loving husband of 64 years, Dr. Kenneth Gene Vanderpool, her children, Suzanne Vanderpool Hodge (Wally), Kenneth Gene Vanderpool, Jr. (Jo Ann), and Nancy Kathleen Vanderpool Manning. Lucia is also survived by seven grandchildren, plus a large number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 30th from 9:30-10:00am with the memorial service starting at 10:00am, at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Pkwy, Bartlett TN 38133. 50 People are allowed in attendance, with COVID precautions being observed.
