**A COURTESY NOTICE** Marie Childress Lucas, age 94, of Sweetwater, Tennessee, and formerly of Willis, Virginia, passed away on October 4, 2014. She was born on June 6, 1920, in Patrick County, Virginia, to the Rev. Robert W. "Bob" and Lelia Childress. Marie graduated from Willis High School and Radford College, receiving her B.S. degree in Home Economics and Science. She began her teaching career at Check High School in Floyd County in 1943. During her tenure at Check she met her husband and soul mate, Lee D. Lucas. They moved to New Jersey in 1952 and she continued her studies at Rutgers University. While in New Jersey, Marie and Lee became active members of the Matawan Presbyterian Church where they taught Sunday School. Marie taught school in the Hazlet Township for 23 years. She loved teaching children and often expressed her satisfaction and pride in her long teaching career. One of her favorite poems ends with the line, "But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child." Marie and Lee retired and moved back to their beloved Virginia in 1976. They built a home near Buffalo Mountain Presbyterian Church, in Willis, Virginia, where they lived until Lee's death in 1999. Marie was a faithful member of the Buffalo Mountain Presbyterian Church for many years. In 2008 she moved to a retirement home in Tennessee. In addition to her parents, Marie is preceded in death by her husband, Lee D. Lucas; brothers and spouses, Conduff Childress and wife Alice, Rev. Bryan Childress and wife Polly, Rev. William "Bill Joe" Childress, and Rev. Robert Childress. She is also preceded in death by her sisters, Hattie Childress and Evelyn Kemp and husband Clarence. Survivors include her brother, Paul Childress and wife Anna, of Hillsville, Virginia, sisters-in-law Roberta Childress of Tellico Plains, Tennessee, and Jean Childress of Meadows of Dan, Virginia, and several nieces and nephews. At Marie's request there will be no visitation. A graveside service will be held in the Buffalo Mountain Presbyterian Church Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 11 with the Rev. Stewart Childress officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Buffalo Mountain Presbyterian Church, 2102 Childress Road, Willis, VA., 24380.