Lucille Lorraine Ware

Lucille Lorraine Ware
August 5, 1924 – June 12, 2022
Lucille Lorraine Ware passed away on June 12, 2022, after a lengthy illness.
Lucille was a kind, caring, elegant, fun-loving, and gregarious individual who will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her sister Vera Ware-Browne (Kaj); her first cousins Jean Irvine Holmes, Thelma Sledd Johnson, Alvin Sledd (Lanette), James Sledd, and Leron Reynolds; her goddaughters Lynda Holloway and Cora Patterson; and a host of other relatives and devoted friends. She was predeceased by her parents, James Houston Ware and Mary Sledd Ware Spinner.
A native of Big Island, Virginia, Lucille was born on August 5, 1924 at her parents' home (built by her grandfather and uncles). She was delivered by her maternal grandaunt Ellen Sledd, who was a certified midwife. Lucille attended Bedford County Public Schools, Sharon Elementary School in Big Island, and Bedford County Training School in Bedford, Virginia.
Lucille professed her faith in Christ at an early age. She was baptized and joined Sharon Baptist Church in Big Island, where she attended Sunday school and sang in the choir. When she moved to Jamaica, New York, she joined Calvary Baptist Church and participated in the Virginia Club. She later joined New Jerusalem Baptist Church, also in Jamaica, New York, and became active with the Flower Ministry. That she was spiritually grounded was manifested in her dealings with others on a daily basis.
Like others who participated in the Second Great Northward Migration of 1940-1970, also known as the second wave of America's "Black Migration", Lucille relocated from rural Virginia to the New York City borough of Queens, in the 1950s. Initially, she stayed with her aunt Gertrude Sledd Hutchings' family and with her sister Vera. Ultimately, Lucille purchased a home in the high-rise private housing cooperative at Rochdale Village, in Jamaica.
Lucille was employed at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development ("HPD") for over 25 years. While there, she made many lifelong friends. After retiring in 1990, Lucille enjoyed attending the annual CWA Retirees Luncheon in Manhattan.
Lucille was multi-talented, and generously donated her time and treasures to those in need. She had a flair for fashion, for planting flowers, and for beautifying her home. An excellent cook, she loved entertaining family and friends.
Lucille also loved little children and animals. She enjoyed traveling, dressing up to go to restaurants and plays, and exploring antique shops, garage sales, and shopping malls. She liked watching old movies and classic TV shows, and got great pleasure from visiting Lynda's mountaintop cabin nestled in the woods of Pennsylvania near a creek and a wooden footbridge (which reminded Lucille of her home in Virginia).
Lucille's love will light the way. Her memory will be forever with us.
~~ Lovingly Submitted: T H E F A M I L Y ~~