Lucy Oxendine Thomas, 94, formerly of Pembroke, NC died on February 17, 2025. The eldest daughter of Chesley and Emmer (Locklear) Oxendine, “Mrs. Lucy,” as she was known, was preceded in death by her parents, her sons Charles J. Thomas, Jr. and Glenn Howard Thomas, and siblings Forace Oxendine, Iona Jacobs Ransom, Della O. Locklear, Ester O. Hedrick, Chesley Oxendine, Jr., and two infant sisters, Martha and Melissa Oxendine. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Jo Ann and Eddie Branton of Kingston, GA; granddaughters Shiana T. Humphrey (Greg) of Garner, NC, and Emily Thomas of Raleigh, NC; great-grandson Micco Humphrey, a host of beloved nieces and nephews, and special friends Donna Cummings and Miranda Hammonds.

Mrs. Lucy was valedictorian of Union Chapel School and graduated from Pembroke State College, class of 1951. While in college, she was a basketball player and was later mentioned in the book Playing Before an Overflow Crowd. She taught English at Prospect, Fairgrove, Pembroke, and West Robeson (Purnell Swett) high schools. Mrs. Lucy’s career as a public-school teacher enabled her to touch hundreds of lives. She was always thrilled when, years later, former students would re-introduce themselves to her.

Mrs. Lucy described herself as a “people person” and loved nothing more than helping others. Whether it was a family member, church member, or stranger on the street, she took time to hear the person’s story and to take a genuine interest in their lives. She never met a stranger, and she loved sending cards of encouragement. She was especially concerned that all people would come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way.

Mrs. Lucy loved working in the church. As a young lady, she played piano at Union Chapel Holiness Methodist Church. Later, she taught a women’s Sunday School class for many years at Mt. Airy Baptist Church. The women in that class were her dear friends. She also enjoyed playing Bingo at the Union Chapel community building and helping serve lunch to the “senior citizens” while in her 80s.

She began each day thanking God that his “mercies are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23) and ended the day saying her bedtime prayers, which usually involved praying for family, friends, and even strangers whose stories she had heard on the news.

Funeral services will be held at Mt. Airy Baptist Church at noon on Saturday, February 22. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour.

While flowers are welcomed, you may prefer to contribute to Mt. Airy Baptist Church, PO Box 155, Pembroke, NC 28372 or UNC Pembroke, PO Box 1510, Pembroke, NC 28372.