Elsie D. Lucus

Elsie D. Lucus, 98, of Smithland passed on to be with her Lord on Friday, February 3, 2017 at Salem Springlake Health and Rehabilitation Center in Salem, KY.

Mrs. Lucus was a devoted wife and mother. She was a beautiful lady, both inside and out, and was known for her strength, courage, humility, and ability to overcame adversity.  She was born in her parents scenic river home in Birdsville, KY where she developed an early interest in horses and livestock that lasted throughout her life.  With the exception of the war years, she lived her entire life in Livingston County, most, and until recently, in the Birdsville Community, within a mile of her birth. Always full of love, she was eager, energetic, and selfless toward the benefit of others.  She insisted on the giving of one's best efforts at all times and certainly led by example.  She had the ability to touch lives with her magnificent smile, which was unforgettable to those she encountered.   She married her true love, her High School sweetheart, and they were inseparable thereafter.  She maintained an active household, which extended well beyond her immediate family, and yet as an educated woman for her time, assisted in the management of all facets of the family farming businesses. She was a lifelong member of Birdsville Baptist Church and its choir. She was active in all church affairs and possessed a leadership role as a teacher and administrator of the Sunday School program for many years.

She loved her family foremost.  Surviving are her son, William Roy Lucus of Nashville, TN; a sister, Irene Heater, formally of Smithland, KY, now Paducah; two grandchildren, Kathryn Mikell Hopson of Nashville, TN, William Matthew Lucus of Nashville, TN; two great-grandchildren, Lily Kathryn Hopson and Lucus Bryant Hopson, also of Nashville; three nieces and three nephews (who she thought of as her own children), and her dearest friend and sister, Irene Dunn Heater, formally of Smithland, KY, now Paducah.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, William Gobel (Bill) Lucus; a sister, Emma Roy Dunn, and her parents, Charles Roy and Emma Warren Dunn.

On Tuesday, February 7, 2017, all friends are welcome and encouraged to join in the celebration of her amazing life, beginning with visitation at 11:00 am at the Smith Funeral Chapel in Smithland, Ky.  Funeral Services will immediately follow at 1:00 pm with Rev. James Driver officiating.  She will then be laid to rest beside her husband at scenic Birdsville Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.smithfc.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Birdsville Baptist Church.

Smith Funeral Chapel in Smithland is in charge of arrangements.