Veda Virginia Mills Lucas

December 30, 1930 – April 18, 2015

Veda was born December 30, 1930 in Redlands, Calif. to Ida and Leonard Mills. She was the oldest of three daughters. She and her sisters (Melba and Kay) grew up in Odessa. While in high school, Veda was active in various music programs and sporting teams, and was treasurer of her senior class. She loved to go dancing on Saturday nights in nearby Wilson Creek.

After high school, Veda went to California for dental assistant school. Upon graduation, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served two years as a dental technician. While in the Air Force she met and married Jack Lucas of Cassville, Mo.

Veda loved the life of an Air Force wife. She travelled the world for 24 years, enjoying many parts of the United States and the world. Assignments included New York, Okinawa, Florida, Missouri, Nebraska, Germany, Hawaii and Texas. While in the Air Force, she was president of the NCO wives’ club, volunteered at family services and the hospital, and was active in women of the chapel. In addition, Veda and Jack were very active square dancers. Veda worked various jobs while raising a family, including commissary cashier, office manager for an optometrist, and in the accounting department of USF&G in San Antonio.

In 1975, her husband Jack died shortly after being transferred to Lackland Air Force Base. Veda’s love of travel continued after leaving active duty and retiring from work. She made many trips over the years with her sister, Melba Evans, as they were both now living in San Antonio, Texas. She also enjoyed yard work and was an avid reader in her free time.

Veda is survived her three sons, Chuck Lucas and wife Ruth of Colleyville, Texas; Tom Lucas of Hutto, Texas; Kirk Lucas of San Antonio; five grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; two sisters: Melba Evans of San Antonio and Kay Wilk of Bremerton, Wash. and numerous nieces and nephews.