Carolyn Lucas

Carolyn Sue Lucas (Gibbs), age 82, peacefully made her way to heaven on May 4, 2025, in McKinleyville, California. Surrounded by love, sunlight, cherished photographs, and the sound of her favorite hymns, she was comforted in her final moments by her devoted daughter, Angela.

Born on April 3, 1943, in Holland, Arkansas, Carolyn was the fourth of five children of Vernon and Velma Gibbs. Her early years were spent on the family farm, immersed in the rhythms of rural life and the warmth of a close-knit household. She began her education in a one-room schoolhouse before the family relocated to California in 1955. Carolyn moved west with her father first, later joined by the rest of the family when Vernon transitioned from farming to carpentry and then to insurance work in Sebastopol. By 1957, they had settled in Eureka, where Vernon eventually opened Vern's Trading Post, where Carolyn occasionally helped out and later Vern's Furniture-a business that is a local fixture still to this day.

Carolyn graduated from Eureka High School in 1960. That same year, she married her high school sweetheart, John Lucas, who a few years earlier spotted her at a local skating rink and declared he would marry her someday. During their early years together, John served in the National Guard while Carolyn worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Simpson-a time she remembered fondly.

Their life together was marked by both joy and sorrow. After the heartbreak of losing two babies, Carolyn gave birth to their daughter Angela in 1964. In 1970, after years of perseverance and medical challenges, their son Lonnie was born prematurely but survived against all odds.

Carolyn and John built a life rooted in family and community. They purchased their first home in Eureka and later moved to a new Arcata home in 1974. Carolyn was deeply involved in her children's lives-attending school events, volunteering at functions, and co-leading a Camp Fire Blue Jay group for Lonnie and his friends. She was a steadfast presence of support and love.

In the early 1980s, Carolyn and John transitioned from owning a Coca-Cola distributorship to running a Chevron station in Fortuna. Carolyn surprised many by donning coveralls to pump gas, check fluids, and wash windows with confidence and grace. Eventually, they partnered with Fortuna High School's HROP program to give students some technical work experience, often taking them on as regularly paid employees. Meanwhile, while their daughter was off to college, they rented out her room, and then started turning their home into rental spaces for many college students, pouring love into those who needed it. Many years later, they opened The Oil Well Lube Center-formerly The Dipstick-which became a thriving local business. Carolyn's keen business sense helped train not only employees but also her grandsons Derrick and Dillon in the value of hard work.

Carolyn's love for music began early when she sang on the radio as a child in Arkansas. In high school she joined the Eureka High Glee Club and continued singing throughout her life-performing solos at church and participating in various choirs. She passed this passion on to her children through song and piano lessons.

Her faith was central to her life. Raised attending Southern Baptist churches, Carolyn was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Eureka alongside her siblings and their families. She later served as worship leader there before moving to Trinity Baptist Church in Arcata, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and directed Vacation Bible School for many summers. She ministered with compassion-offering support to youth from difficult homes, organizing events for young couples, and caring for the elderly.

Carolyn was known for her warmth, generosity, and tenacity. Whether advocating for someone in need or comforting loved ones during illness or hardship, she was always ready to lend a hand or listening ear.

She also found joy in cooking-especially during holidays when she made chocolate fudge, sugar cookies with homemade icing, and peanut butter blossoms with her grandchildren. A savvy shopper with an eye for sales, she took pride in dressing stylishly with coordinating costume jewelry.

Carolyn's life was filled with memorable adventures: family camping trips (with showers and electricity only!), visits to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and travels to Victoria and Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

The late-1980s and 1990s brought new joys: Angela's marriage to David Carbiener, Lonnie's marriage to Shaila Kliewer; the births of grandchildren Derrick, Dillon, and Carson; and Carolyn's growing role as a grandmother who cherished outings to restaurants and parks with her grandkids.

In the early 2000s came profound loss with the passing of her son Lonnie after his battle with melanoma in 2006-a year that also saw the deaths of other beloved family members, including her mother, Velma. Despite deep grief, Carolyn remained steadfast for her grandchildren, which had grown in number with the births of twin girls, Cambria and Canon, helping care for them during their early years.

Later in life, Carolyn found companionship with Leonard Oliphant. Together they enjoyed simple pleasures-antique shopping, long walks, backyard projects-and even bought a boat despite Carolyn never learning to swim. They returned to Humboldt County in 2017 just as Carolyn began experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's Dementia. Leonard lovingly became her caregiver until his passing in 2021.

In her final years at Timber Ridge Assisted Living and Renaissance Memory Care, Carolyn continued to find joy through scenic drives with Angela and her husband, Michael to church services, beach overlooks, shopping trips, or out for strawberry frappes. She delighted in holiday parties, music programs like Music with Mary and The Timber Ridge Boys, as well as visits from grandchildren, nieces, nephews-and especially from her beloved brothers Doug and Dusty.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter Angela Burkhart and husband Michael; brothers Doug Gibbs (wife Kim and daughter Lindsay) and Ray "Dusty" Gibbs (wife Karen); daughter-in-love Shaila Brandon (husband Scot); grandchildren Derrick Carbiener (wife Alison), Dillon Carbiener, Carson LucasBrandon (wife Kirsten), Cambria Brandon, and Canon Brandon; nieces and nephews Larna Acklin (Daniel), Pansy Brannon (Terry), Steve Acklin (Laura), Bryce Gibbs (Debbie), Lane Gibbs (Shanna), Richard Gibbs (Shannon), and Rene Gibbs.

She was preceded in death by her parents Vernon and Velma Gibbs; sisters Lynn Spring and Jean Acklin; sons Johnny Lucas Jr. and Lonnie Lucas; nephew Rudy Brannon; and partner Leonard Oliphant.

Private burials of Carolyn's ashes will take place at future dates in Eureka and in Kingsburg, California.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. O.L. Puttler; Charmaine Mosher-Carbiener, NP; caregivers at Timber Ridge Assisted Living and Renaissance Memory Care; Hospice of Humboldt; and Ayres Family Cremation for their compassionate care.

In honor of Carolyn's love for music and children, donations may be made in her name to programs supporting those causes.

Carolyn leaves behind a legacy of faith, resilience, laughter, music, service-and above all-love. She is dancing and rejoicing in heaven with her loved ones and her Heavenly Father.