Wylma Jean Lucas

Wylma Jean Graham-Lucas, born April 22, 1948, in Newton, Mississippi, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at her home in the Westwood Neighborhood of Dayton, Ohio.

Wylma moved with her family from Mississippi to Dayton in 1955 as part of the Great Northern Migration in search of racial equality, stability, and opportunity. Once acclimated to Midwestern culture, but she began to thrive as her parents became settled in the family home. She went on to become a graduate of Nettie Lee Roth High School. It was there that she honed her musical and artistic prowess. She played multiple instruments by ear, especially her favorite, the saxophone. Her musical skills made an indelible mark on Black music history as she played sax in practice sessions with the funk bands Lakeside and The Ohio Players, sometimes in her family’s basement. Her college career was spent at Central State University, with a major in anthropology and a minor in English. For nearly two decades, Wylma was a devoted employee of Monsanto Chemical Company, later known as EG&G Mound Applied Technologies in Miamisburg, Ohio.

Even with her full-time job, with overtime, Wylma continuously nourished and encouraged her children’s talents and academic achievements. Her participation in her children’s education and the creative arts did not go unnoticed. In 1995, Dayton Public Schools presented her with awards for parental activism and involvement. In 1996, despite debilitating injuries, she fought to keep going. A true renaissance woman, she reinvented herself as a homemaker, devoted stay-at-home mom, and Sunday School teacher at New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she was an original member. She enjoyed spending her free time studying Bible scripture, listening to music, spending time with her grandchildren, shopping, watching movies, and gardening. Wylma’s talents were many but above all, her drive to protect her family and loved ones made her a hero, confidant, and supporter to countless people. Her smile, her sense of style, her fun-loving humor, and her caring and protective nature will never be forgotten.

Wylma is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Fannie (Cooley) Graham of Conehatta and Newton, Mississippi respectively. She is survived by her son, Donald Ray Graham and his wife, LaShawn Graham; daughter, NaTasha Marguerite Lucas and her husband, Jessie Lee Thomas, Jr.; 3 granddaughters, DéJa Osh’Jena Graham, Jadé Nicole Graham, Kyree Jeané Thomas; grandson, A’Vree Wylliam Thomas; 2 great-granddaughters, Avah Nicole and Ariana Sage (Pedersen); 4 siblings, Thomas Jesse (T.J.), Michael Ray, Gwendolyn (Davis), and Anthony; half-sister, Carolyn of Portland, OR; sister-in-law, Betty Joyce (wife of Michael Ray) and numerous beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends.

Her children would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the family members and close family friends who contributed to our mother’s care and well-being over the years and to Hospice of Dayton for their thorough care, assistance, and support.

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