Obituary of Teresa Lavonne Lucas

Teresa Lavonne Lucas was born on February 12, 1965, to proud parents Bishop Candace Lucas-Willis and the late Wade Lucas, Sr. On Monday evening November 21, she quietly entered much deserved eternal rest in the arms of our Savior. Teresa was the second of the five (5) of Wade and Candace – Tina, Tonya, Tamala and Wade Morris Lucas Jr. who preceded her in death. In 1985 they were blessed with another brother Marcus Jerrell Lucas. Teresa was educated in the Baltimore City Schools System. Over the years, Teresa was a bartender in a few of Baltimore's taverns and nightclubs; and managed her mother's café until it closed. Her friendly, vivacious, and outgoing personality was well suited for this vocation. She loved music and often sang at karaoke sessions around the city. Teresa was employed for 16 years by the State of Maryland, Office of Administrative Hearings as a Dockett Specialist, until she retired in June 2022 due to health issues. Teresa was a caring and dedicated employee. One of her long-time coworkers sent this message "she was a hard worker who cared very much about the public she served. …. She showed so much dignity in her…battles." In 1983 Teresa was blessed with the birth of her daughter Monae Lashawn Gorham. Monae preceded her in death in 2007. She was blessed again in 1986 with the birth of her daughter, Shante' Lania Shorter. Teresa was married to Robert Shorter who preceded her in death in 2013. Teresa became the guardian of her oldest grandson, Deniero Bell after the death of her daughter, Monae. Teresa adored her 5 grandchildren. She spent time with her four (4) youngest grandkids almost every weekend. She often took them on out-of-town trips, never missed a birthday celebration, and kept them with her on weekends. Teresa's spiritual journey began at Temple Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Bishop Jerome McNeill, Sr. Later she joined what was formerly Praise the Lord Ministries, where she received Christ as her savior in her heart and was Baptized. In 2008 she became a founding member of Greater Works Kingdom Ministries, Inc. where her parents, Bishops Ronald D, Willis, Sr. and Candace R. Willis are the pastors. Teresa had a close and personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She expressed to her mother that she had a talk with God and made her decisions according to His word. Teresa was feisty, strong willed, stubborn yet very kind and loyal. She hated injustice and would fight until the end to correct what she perceived as unfair. Teresa had an indomitable spirit. Like the legendary Phoenix she rose time after time from the ashes of her physical pain and heartache. Her faith was always strong. Thus, her sister Tonya dubbed her "her she-ro". A name we all eventually adopted as she went through various serious trials and tribulation including a catastrophic car accident in 2009 where rods and pins were placed in her arms and legs, and she was told she would never walk again. "Not so" said Teresa and in spite of still having most of those rods and pins, she returned to her normal life. She never let on that she was in pain every day. During her recent battle with several lifethreatening and rare illnesses, she did not complain. She made a heroic choice to accept God's will. Teresa was the family gatherer. The young people loved her, and she would put a party together at the drop of a hat. Christmas was her thing. She and her sisters Tina, Tonya and Tamala had a strong bond, that they called "sister circle". Often getting together for many sister-circle weekends and road trips. No matter their brief times of differences, it was one for all and all for one. Teresa will be sorely missed in our family and the hearts of so many others, evidenced by the outpouring of love sent to us. Teresa leaves to cherish precious memories of her life and legacy, her daughter Shante Shorter grandson Deniero Bell, her mother Bishop Candace Willis, Bonus Dad, Bishop Ronald D. Willis (Poppy), Sisters Tina Lucas, Tonya E. Lucas-Traylor, Tamala S. Lucas, Latrecia Willis, Lakisha Willis, brothers Marcus J. Lucas, Ronald D. Willis, Sr.,sisters-in-law Ieisha Washington, Arkamie Link, brother-in-law Rick Traylor, grandchildren Amera Evans, Ania Davenport, Damauri and Derrian Williams, special aunt Sincerria Elliott, aunts Evelyn Peyton, Chele' Williams, Portia love, Laura love, Mary Lucas, Nanette Turner; uncles Harry (Cynthia) Williams, Gerald(Debra) Williams, Charles(Sheryl) Williams, Isaac Williams, Clarence (Eva) Seay, James Lucas, Willie (Angie) Lucas, Zell (Melanie) Lucas, Calvin (Jenifer) Lucas, Preston(Martha) Love , Richi.e (Lonnel) Love, Norman Love, George Parrish, nieces Nicole Wells (Dashae) Candace(EriK) Noel, Harmony & Maliah Lucas, nephews Sean Burrow, Saan Burrow, C. Wade Payne, special great niece Tyler K. Swinson, also great niece Day Amor, great grandsons Dillon, Julius Burrow, Carter & Langston Noel; Godmother Marlene Harvey; Surrogate daughters Keosha Gorham, Lashanda Hughes, Vallen Porter, Kandace Evans, Chantel Steward, surrogate sons Jason Graves, Dennis Jones, Best Friend/Sister Elder Peggy McIver, Best Friend Myonne Smith, Devoted friends William Sanders, Michelle Jordan, Monica Jenkins, Gina Ruffin, the Brown Family of Ferndale, the FGI Family of Ferndale Ave. and a host of other relatives and friends. A viewing will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133. On Friday, December 9, 2022, a homegoing celebration for Mrs. Teresa Lucas will be held at the Vaughn Greene Chapel at Randallstown, 8728 Liberty Road, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. with services to follow.