Wanda L McKinney's Obituary
MCKINNEY, Wanda Jean Lucas, age 80, of Lake Placid, FL passed away Sunday, June 16, 2013 at her home surrounded by loved ones. Wanda was born in Mount Gay, West Virginia on October 3, 1932 to Molly and William Lucas. Wanda always believed in education and always wanted to become a teacher. In 1964, she was one of the first ones at the opening doors of Florida Atlantic University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, the following year. She was a teacher and guidance counselor in Palm Beach and Broward Counties for a total of approx. 24 yrs. She went back to school and obtained two Master’s Degrees during her career. When she retired in 1991, she relocated to Lake Placid and became a substitute, worked for the county as a Librarian, and also worked in the Juvenile Justice System. She was also an active Member/Past President of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Highlands Branch. She was a member of the Friends of the Library. She also had been involved with the Born to Read program for Highlands County. She was a woman who believed that all children, especially girls/women, should have access to an education, read early, and be read to early. She believed this would make them much more successful and happier in life! She is preceded in death by her parents, Molly and William Lucas; previous husband, Charles Howard Craddock, Sr. and husband of 57 years, Dana Henry McKinney; sisters, Blanche Lucas, Gwanna Holtzclaw, and Sandra Peregrin; brothers, Samuel Matthews and Eugene Lucas; daughter, Deborah Reddy; sons, Charles Howard Craddock, Jr. and Dana Alan McKinney. She is survived by her daughter, Teresa McKinney of Lake Placid; her grandchildren, Dawn McKinney of Lake Placid, Dana (Shane) Kittendorf of Miramar, Deanna (Eugene) Jones of North Lauderdale, Brian (Tracie) Craddock of Indiana; her uncle George Lucas; her niece, Linda (Mark) Nealis of Avon Park; nephews, Michael Capua of Indiana, and Sam Capua of West Virginia; great-nephew, Dustin Nealis of Avon Park and great-niece, Crystal Hache of North Carolina; and cousin, French (Kim) Maynard. She leaves behind 5 great-grandchildren, 1 great great-niece, 9 sister-in-laws, 7 brothers-in-laws; 2 former students and dear friends, David Hodge of Boca Raton and Edward (Ginger) Barona of Plantation, FL and two loving cats, Lucas and Alisa McKinney.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 1pm at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Avon Park, FL 33825. In lieu of flowers, donations to AAUW Highlands Branch: 3329 Placid View Drive, Lake Placid, FL 33852 or Good Shepard Hospice: 1110 Hammock Road, Sebring, FL 33870 would be appreciated.
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