Ann (Lori) Lucas

During the early morning hours of January 10, 2023, Ann Lorrain “Lori” Leeton Lucas passed away peacefully at the age of 73 years, 11 months, and 5 days at The Waterford Residential Home in Clarksville, Tennessee. Lori was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 5, 1949, to Felix and Frances Caldwell Leeton. She grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, resulting in a life-long love for The University of Tennessee Volunteers.

Lori graduated from Holston High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. After accepting a job to work in the forensic fingerprint division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lori relocated to Alexandria, Virginia. During this time, she met and married the love of her life, Phil Lucas, who preceded her in death. After his passing, Lori resided for many years in Springfield, Tennessee, and spent her final years living near her youngest brother and sister-in-law in Clarksville, Tennessee. She was also preceded in death by two of her brothers, Johnny Leeton and Tom Leeton, and her parents Felix and Frances Leeton.

She is survived by one sister, Lola Fitzpatrick (Terry), two brothers, Andrew Leeton (Mary) and Philip Leeton (LoriAnne), nieces Katie Fitzpatrick Norris (Scott), Brooke Leeton, Abby Leeton Smith (Myles), Rachel Leeton, and one nephew, Nicholas Fitzpatrick. She is also survived by great nieces Leeton, Raelyn, and Cassie, along with great nephews Holden and Carson.

Lori earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. An avid collector of Southern Living cookbooks, she genuinely relished spending time in the kitchen cooking, baking, and sharing her creations with her family. She loved watching football and cheering on her favorite teams: The Washington Redskins, The University of Tennessee Vols, and The Tennessee Titans.

A shrewd card player, Lori truly enjoyed competing with her siblings at their family “Idiots” game during holiday get-togethers. Her opponents came to quickly realize that when Lori complained, ”I haven’t got a prayer” it actually translated into “I am about to win this hand!”

Her love of animals began at very early age, with special memories and stories shared about Karl von Bismark, the treasured Leeton family German shepherd and Orange Julius Caesar, the beloved family cat. Over the years, Lori never met a stray animal she didn’t love or attempt to adopt into her heart and home. She often provided tender care for a menagerie of animals, all of whom were drawn to her and recognized the sincere affection she had for them.

In her final years, her youngest brother and his wife were blessed to spend a great deal of quality time and make many cherished memories with her since they all resided in Clarksville. At Lori’s wonderful living facility, she quickly made friends, enjoyed creating crafts, played games, and attended themed parties on a regular basis. The Leeton family is particularly grateful to the wonderful devoted staff at The Waterford who provided such incredible stellar care for Lori from her very first day there to her last day on earth. The staff members graciously treated her like she was a part of their own family, and the other residents loved her like she was a cherished relative. In Lori’s final weeks, the hospice nurses from Asera Care rendered a quality of comfort care that was absolutely extraordinary, and we are incredibly thankful for them.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McReynolds, Nave and Larson Funeral Home, Clarksville Tennessee. A private memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 21 at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel of the funeral home with Dr. Larry Robertson officiating. Lori’s ashes will be scattered on her late husband’s grave and on her parents’ graves at another time in the future.