Mary Lou was a native of Greenville, NC and was the daughter of the late James Thomas Braxton and Laura Smith Braxton.
Along with her parents and ten siblings, she was preceded in death by her first husband, U.S. Air Force Captain Robert J. Lucas, and second spouse of 28 years, Howard A. I. Sugg, retired Commander U.S. Navy and Political Science Professor Emeritus at East Carolina University.
She is survived by two sons, Robert J. Lucas Jr (Bob) of Greenville, NC and Douglas P. Lucas of Asheville, NC, daughter Laurie Lucas of Carrboro, NC, and granddaughter Savannah Lucas.
Mary Lou was a resilient, strong-willed, and successful business woman. In addition to Pitt County, she also lived in many states including Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Minnesota, Alaska, and Washington while her spouse was in service with the Air Force. Mary Lou endured many hardships in her life including the loss of her first husband, whose fighter jet disappeared over the Olympic Mountains in Washington State in 1962, never to be found. After his passing, she went to school becoming one of the first female recipients of an MBA at East Carolina University in 1969, while raising three small children on her own. She became an educator at East Carolina University and later, an entrepreneur. She was active in the Pitt County community and local politics during the late 1970s-1990s alongside her spouse Dr. Sugg. She enjoyed traveling, dinner parties, intellectual conversation, reading, and hosting Christmas each year with her large family. Mary Lou is known for her infectious laughter by those who knew her best. She lived a good, full and long life, and loved her children and extended family dearly.
Source Citation: Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory ~ Greenville, NC
Mary Lou was a native of Greenville, NC and was the daughter of the late James Thomas Braxton and Laura Smith Braxton.
Along with her parents and ten siblings, she was preceded in death by her first husband, U.S. Air Force Captain Robert J. Lucas, and second spouse of 28 years, Howard A. I. Sugg, retired Commander U.S. Navy and Political Science Professor Emeritus at East Carolina University.
She is survived by two sons, Robert J. Lucas Jr (Bob) of Greenville, NC and Douglas P. Lucas of Asheville, NC, daughter Laurie Lucas of Carrboro, NC, and granddaughter Savannah Lucas.
Mary Lou was a resilient, strong-willed, and successful business woman. In addition to Pitt County, she also lived in many states including Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Minnesota, Alaska, and Washington while her spouse was in service with the Air Force. Mary Lou endured many hardships in her life including the loss of her first husband, whose fighter jet disappeared over the Olympic Mountains in Washington State in 1962, never to be found. After his passing, she went to school becoming one of the first female recipients of an MBA at East Carolina University in 1969, while raising three small children on her own. She became an educator at East Carolina University and later, an entrepreneur. She was active in the Pitt County community and local politics during the late 1970s-1990s alongside her spouse Dr. Sugg. She enjoyed traveling, dinner parties, intellectual conversation, reading, and hosting Christmas each year with her large family. Mary Lou is known for her infectious laughter by those who knew her best. She lived a good, full and long life, and loved her children and extended family dearly.
Source Citation: Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory ~ Greenville, NC
Family Members
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Alton Leroy Braxton
1910–1911
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Alma Lee Braxton Worthington
1912–2000
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Selma Braxton Chesson
1914–2000
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James Thomas Braxton Jr
1915–1981
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Irma Dare Braxton Adams
1917–2005
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Ruby Braxton Benson
1919–1994
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William J Braxton
1921–1922
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Janice Juanita Braxton Buck
1923–2002
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Paul Swain Braxton
1924–2002
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Jessie Brown Braxton Ostrander
1926–2004
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Bobby Gene Braxton
1934–1934
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