Lucy Payne Willard

WILLARD, Lucy Payne, 90, passed away in her sleep on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Commonwealth Senior Living.

Lucy was born in Spotsylvania, raised in Sylvania Heights, and went to nursing school at Garfield School of Nursing in Washington, DC. She married Jesse Willard in 1952 and they built a home in White Oak where they raised their four children, Julie, Nancy, Jeffrey, and James. Jesse passed away in 1981. Lucy found love again and remarried in 1996 to Alvin R. Henderson, Sr. Alvin passed away in 1997. Lucy had one stepson from that marriage, Roy Henderson, Jr. (Jayne).

Lucy loved being a nurse and honored the profession with a long career. She worked for many years at Mary Washington Hospital, then in a dermatology office, and she ultimately retired from the oncology office of Dr Leroy Essig. Lucy loved all her grandchildren and was blessed with one great-grandson in 2023. She deeply valued her relationship with her church family throughout her life. In her retirement, she loved playing bridge, golfing, traveling with friends, and doing crossword puzzles. She was well known for her favorite pastime of going to yard sales with her friends.

Survivors include her children, Julie Pollard (Henry), Nancy Willard, James Willard (Janet), and Alvin R. Henderson, Jr. (Jayne); grandchildren, Sarah Sirica (Nick), Judson Willard, Jesse Willard, Elizabeth Willard Luevano (Marcus), Bailey Willard, Margo Henderson Francisco (Kevin), and Alvin R. Henderson III (April); great-grandchild, Gustavo James Luevano; and nieces and nephews, Gina Snellings Jacobs, John Snellings, Larry Wiltshire, Sara Wiltshire, Cliff Payne, Carol Gulick, Ron Payne, and Robyn Payne Modly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse A. Willard; son, Jeffrey A. Willard and husband Alvin R. Henderson, Sr.

A service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethel Baptist Church or Fletchers United Methodist Church.

Online guest book is available at covenantfuneralservice.com.