Ruth Marie (Keys) Lucas

Ruth Keys Lucas passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 15th, 2026.

Ruth was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on August 14th, 1930. She grew up on Scott Street in a small house with her mom and dad and seven brothers and sisters. Ruth loved to share stories about growing up on Scott Street and how that small house was always filled with warmth, love and laughter. We not only believe but know in our hearts that it was her goal in life to replicate that in her own home with her husband Jack Lucas and their three children. Ruth was a creative, elegant, and loving wife and mother.

Ruth married her high school sweetheart, Jack in 1950 shortly after graduating from Williamsport High School. She spent her early years of marriage in Jacksonville Beach, Florida raising her children and helping Jack run the beach front hotel they owned together. She instilled early in her three children the joy of hunting for shark teeth, playing in tidal pools and the fine art of making beautiful dribble castles.

Ruth loved to host and play games. Sundays were often spent on her and Jack’s farm in Roanoke Virginia, with cookouts followed by competitive games of shuffleboard and volleyball. Her joy of entertaining and having family visits continued when she and Jack later moved to Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Ruth’s children, grandchildren and their friends were frequent beach visitors. After a day at the beach, where Ruth continued the tradition of tidal pool play, sandcastle making and shark teeth hunting with her grandchildren and their friends, you were always treated to a delicious meal and decadent dessert followed by an evening of card playing. It was always a running bet as to who would get the cards out first, Maw Maw Ruth or the children. She loved to play cards and took no mercy on those with which she played. Her grandchildren and their friends often referred to her as “The Card Shark” and it was a title well earned.

Later in life Ruth and Jack settled in Wilkesboro, NC. She could be found most mornings at the YMCA where she made lasting friendships with the “ladies” in water aerobics. These friendships and the Y community meant a lot to her. Sundays were still spent with good food and cards. Ruth was a card shark till the end.

Ruth was an avid reader, a collector of beautiful antiques that filled her home, and quilter. She loved nothing more than a weekend of exploring antique shops near and far throughout Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The only thing that brought her more joy than cards, and antiquing was holding and rocking her grandchildren and great grandchildren. You could often catch her doing just that and smelling their sweet heads saying, “It doesn't get any better than this!”

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Jack Lucas, her son James Lucas and grandchildren Jake Lucas and John Lucas. She is survived by her two children, Jeff Lucas of Wilkesboro, Jenny Richardson (Joe) of Wilkesboro; one daughter-in-law Carolyn Lucas of Roanoke, Virginia; four grandchildren Joshua Richardson, Luke Richardson (Emily) Eleanor Richardson, Tonia Lucas and two great grandchildren Jay and Barry Richardson.

Ruth was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. In her honor her children promise to always play cards and to rock as many babies as we can.

“Stories do not end” Anais Nin

The family would like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice and the caring nurses at The Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made as contributions to The Joan & Howard Woltz Home at 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017.

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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