Martha Grady Lucas

Martha Ann Grady Lucas was born on March 11, 1940 to Bessie Mae Grady-Dorsey and Arthur Joyner and her bonus father, Sam Dorsey. She was born in Tavares, Florida. Martha Ann was baptized at an early age under the leadership of Reverend Norman McNair, Sr. Her home church was St. John Independent Free Methodist Church in Tavares, Florida. Affectionately known to many as “Mart”, she attended Cromartie Elementary School in Tavares, Florida and Eustis Vocational High School, where she graduated with the honor of Valedictorian. Martha Ann loved the game of basketball and was a “top-notch” basketball player. After graduation, Mart enrolled in Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tennessee. She married Herbert Lucas and later divorced. She continued her studies, graduating college in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. Later, she obtained a Masters Degree in Health Education at City College New York. Mart also joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her first teaching position was in Brooksville, Florida at Dr. R. Morton High School. In 1966, she accepted a teaching position at Lincoln Park High School in Clermont, Florida. In the early 70’s, she moved to New York. Mart continued her love for teaching in New York for more than thirty years before retiring and returning home to Tavares, Florida. Martha Ann was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Joyner; mother, Bessie Mae Grady-Dorsey; stepfather, Sam Dorsey; siblings: Jeffrey Dorsey, Patricia Dorsey, Rubye L. Arnold, and Mary L. Joyner Green; nephews, Raymond Holmes, Jr., and Sherlock Holmes; and niece, Ursula Wair. She leaves to cherish her memories: her stepbrother, Alvin Dorsey, Sr.; nephews: Ulric Wair, Brodrick Collie, and Alvin Dorsey, Jr.; nieces, Ramona Jordan (Mark), Bridgette Exum, Charmi Dorsey, and Zamiyha White-Dorsey; brother-in-law, Johnny Arnold; Aunts: Doris Grady of New York, and Mary Grady of Tavares, Florida. Special family and caregivers: her sister-in-law, Jacqueline C. Lucas; and cousin, Lillie Ann Brown; lifetime friends and classmates: Thelma Williams, Emma Fisher, Claudius Manigault, Jr., Charles Starr, Deborah Archie Simpson, Olivia Hector, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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Martha Grady Lucas

March 11, 1940 - March 31, 2026