Lucille Griffitts Kinkade

TEAS, Va.

Lucille Griffitts Kinkade age 101, passed away Friday, May 26, 2023 at her home.

Lucille was born on April 23, 1922 in Teas VA, to Roy and Martha Griffitts; she was the fourth of six daughters. Like many of her era, she joined the World War II effort and ended up working in a lab in Tennessee where she met Christy Paul Kinkade, whom she married in March of 1944. Following the war, Lucille and Paul moved to Damascus, VA where their two children, Richard Paul and Martha Jane, were born. The family resettled in Teas, VA in 1951, following the tragic death of Lucille’s brother-in-law, Hix Pugh, and she began teaching at Teas school. Lucille resumed her post-secondary education at Radford College and graduated in 1964 with honors. She earned a Masters’ degree at UVA in 1971 and soon began working as an Elementary Supervisor for Smyth County Schools. Her dedication to teaching and resilience brought several changes to that position and to the continuing education of teachers. In 1972 she helped found the Chi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers’ Sorority. Lucille continued to be an active member well into her retirement. After Paul passed way in 2007, Lucille continued living in her home in Teas for the majority of the year and spending the winter months in Green Valley, AZ where her daughter Jane and husband Charles Smith had retired. In 2015, Lucille’s granddaughter, Virginia Smith RN, moved in with Lucille which enabled Lucille to continue to live in her home, despite vision loss. In April 2022, Lucille celebrated her 100th birthday at her home with many friends, family, sorority sisters, and community members in attendance. Marion’s mayor presented her with a key to the city and the President of the United States sent her a birthday card.

Lucille is survived by her son Richard and wife, Teri of Taos, NM; daughter Jane and husband, Charles of Green Valley, AZ; two granddaughters, Virginia of Teas VA, and Katherine and spouse, Amber of Oakland, CA; as well as numerous extended family.

The family will receive friends Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 10 until 11 a.m. at Elizabeth United Methodist Church, 788 Teas Road, Sugar Grove VA. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. with burial following in Meek Family Cemetery, Teas Road, Sugar Grove, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Meek Family Cemetery Fund or Elizabeth UMC c/o Treasurer, 788 Teas Road, Sugar Grove VA 24375; or the charity of your choice.

To share memories of Lucille Griffitts Kinkade, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Lucille’s family has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.