Obituary published on Legacy.com by Twiford Funeral Home - Outer Banks - Manteo on Mar. 10, 2026.
With heavy hearts yet deep appreciation for a life fully lived, the family shares that Edris Lovie Grizzard Lucas was called home to God on March 6, 2026. Known by most as 'Lovie,' and as 'Aunt Kat' by her nieces and nephews, she is survived by her children, Karen (Bernie) Mitscherlich and Kevin Lucas; grandchildren, Ryan (Katherine) Mitscherlich, Grace Mitscherlich, Zoe Lucas, and Kate Mitscherlich; and many nieces and nephews. Wonderfully engaging and well-loved, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Lovie was born October 21, 1935, to the late Rosa Christine Saunders Grizzard and Vernon Kinard Grizzard and is predeceased by her husband, Earl Snidow Lucas, Jr, and siblings Vernelle, Mattie, Charles, Sailor, Kerzena, Christine and Nolan. The youngest of the eight children, she was born and grew upon a farm near
Skippers, Virginia, spending many hours with her Shetland pony, Teensie, and her many cousins who lived nearby. In high school, Lovie was a cheerleader, homecoming queen, basketball star and co-captain, and senior class secretary, graduating from Greensville County High School in 1954.
Lovie had many talents and interests. She graduated in 1958 from Mary Washington College with a degree in Child Psychology, after taking time out for a year in nursing school at the Medical College of Virginia. She worked in the office at Ingersoll Rand in Richmond before getting married. She then taught elementary school in Henrico before moving to Indiana, teaching elementary school in Shelbyville, and doing graduate work at Butler University. A stay-at-home mother for many years, she was active in many organizations wherever they lived. She played golf and once shot a hole-in-one! In 1976, she obtained her real estate license, becoming a broker in 1980 and opening her own real estate firm, South River Realty, in Waynesboro, Virginia. She served as President of the Waynesboro Board of Realtors and was named to the 1982 Presidents' Honor Board for Virginia. She gave up her firm upon moving to Richmond, but retained her broker's license, working through Bowers Nelms & Fonville Long & Foster and Metro Referral Associates.
Having known each other since before elementary school, Earl and Lovie married in 1959. They lived in a number of places - Shelbyville, IN, Covington, VA, Lexington NC, Waynesboro, VA, and ended up in the Richmond area. After Earl passed in December 2025, Lovie lived in the Outer Banks near her son. A dog-lover throughout her life, she had many dogs - Tashi, Teddy, Buckwheat, and Penny.
To celebrate her life, a memorial service will be held at Gayton Baptist Church, 13501 N Gayton Rd, Richmond, Virginia 23233 on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 12:30pm. She will be laid to rest at a later date, tentatively at the Emporia Cemetery in Emporia, Virginia.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.