Pauline "Polly" Craps Lucas

Pauline “Polly” Craps Lucas, 90, passed away on March 17, 2022. She celebrated the simple pleasures of life. She was the happiest when she was with her family and friends. She loved unconditionally and enjoyed spending time with her family or immersed in God’s word. Polly had a spunky personality and could always make people laugh if not by her own antics, then by her constant laughs at the things her family would do.

God blessed Polly with two wonderful sons, Mike Howard (Suzie) and Sammy Howard (Shelba). They were her life and brought so much happiness to her world when they gave her two daughters who loved and deeply cared for her. They would surround her each week to create a lifetime of memories that would sustain them during those times and the days to come. They would fill her home with laughter and love. They celebrated her and the love she gave to so many, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nickie Moody (Derek), Heather Chavis (Adam), Brandon Reilly, Patrick (Lauren), Colby (Victoria), Rece Howard, Maddison Moody, Troy and Emma Chavis, Logan and Kherington Moody, Scarlett, Canaan, and Granger Howard.

Polly especially enjoyed having Rece and Scarlett in her life. They brought her so much joy and kept her motivated by bringing smiles to her days. She loved the special relationship that she had with them. They will miss her, especially Scarlett who loved Nannie keeping her during the week. The two were inseparable. Scarlett blessed her Nannie’s life and would run up to her and lay her head on her lap and share kisses until their lips were sore. Scarlett captured the heart of her Nannie the moment she was born. Polly would make nightly calls to her siblings and share what she and Scarlett had done that day. In the final days, Scarlett could be seen telling everyone to move so she could push her stool up next to her Nannie’s hospital bed. They would carry on conversations that only the two of them understood. They would fill a room with gibberish and smiles as they sang songs about Jesus and His love. They would clap their hands and raise their voices to rejoice in God’s love and the birth of Jesus. Scarlett would perform theatrics and capture the hearts of all. She would insist everyone pray. If they didn’t clasp their hands together at their cheeks and recite prayer, she would call them by name. She and Nannie were serious about their God and their prayer time.

When Canaan and Granger joined the flock, Polly immersed herself into their lives. She showed them the same love that she extended to their fathers and would share stories of their “hide-and-seek” adventures and pretending to scare them when she saw them picking her flowers out her window. She particularly loved how Colby would call her “Nannie Bannie” and would wonder if Canaan would do the same when he started to talk. She loved to watch Canaan’s expressions and Granger’s constant smiles. She entertained them all with her funny faces and whistles that could rival any bird sanctuary. Polly cherished her union with Eugie Lucas until he took his last breath. He blessed her with Guy Lucas (Elizabeth), Ellen Hazel (Tim), Ricky Lucas (Joyce), and Bridgett Schumpert (Charles “Chuck”).

She is survived by her siblings and sister-in-law: Charlie (Sharon) Robert (Harriett), David (Jeanette) Craps, Mary Alice “Sis” Caughman, and Lorraine Craps. She was one of 14 children and was predeceased by her parents Jesse Craps and Beulah Clamp Craps; brothers: Curtis, Richard “Doc,” Bo, Drayton, Hoyt, and Karl Craps; and sisters Carrie Long, Inez Whittle, and Geneva Whittle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 308 Church Street, Leesville, SC 29070 to the children’s activities or the flowers and candle funds. She was an avid gardener and once grew pineapples because she could. She was a phenomenal cook and baker and even won a State Fair Blue Ribbon for her famous 13-layer chocolate cakes.

The family will greet friends and loved ones on Saturday, March 19th from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. at Milton Shealy Funeral Home in Batesburg. On Sunday, March 20th at 2:00 P.M. there will be a service for family and friends at St. James Lutheran Church in Leesville. Pallbearers will be: Patrick, Colby, Rece Howard, Rodney, Heyward, and Dave Craps. On Monday, March 21st she will be laid to rest by her family and siblings in a private ceremony at Woodridge Memorial Park. Eugie will welcome her and want to know what took her so long. She will look to him and simply say, “My family needed me. If only you could see how they have grown in their faith, love for one another, and how they united to care for me.”

To her companions and protectors, Buttercup and LT, may your grief be shortened by the mere fact that both of you were so protective of this Nannie and she loved you.