The Life of LUCILLE JUANITA PUSEY
Lucille Juanita Pusey was born April 4, 1929 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Eldon and Ada Britton. She passed away Monday, November 25, at age 84, due to complications from surgery to repair a broken hip. Her sudden death was a shock to her family and friends, though all who knew Lucy have every confidence that she is with the Lord Jesus Christ whom she loved and served with all her heart.
Lucy and her younger sister Doris spent their growing up days in Des Moines, but always enjoyed time on the farm outside Chariton, Iowa with their family relatives. Their parents were committed Christians, actively engaged in the Des Moines First Church of the Nazarene where Lucy had many friends and lifetime mentors. Doris passed away just before Lucy graduated from high school, and Lucy’s parents both passed away in 1975.
Lucy eventually made her way to Kankakee, Illinois to attend Olivet Nazarene College (now University), where she met Paul M. Pusey—the love of her life. They were married June 10, 1950, and have enjoyed over 63 years of life together. To their union were born three sons: Larry, Steve and Tim. It was a special delight when the three sons married and gave Lucy the daughters she had always wanted. And no one was happier than Lucy when grandchildren and great-grandchildren have come into the family!
Lucy finished a degree in Elementary Education from Olivet, and taught early elementary grades for about 20 years in Ohio, Kentucky and Panama. She was the kind of teacher every parent wants for their children—who cared deeply about every student. Throughout the years, she was always involved in serving in the church through teaching and music. But more than anything else, she was a wonderful wife and mother.
Lucy followed Paul as his calling to ministry took them first to Ohio where he served as a pastor for eleven years. Their journey then took them to Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, New York and Panama as Paul served as a Chaplain in the United States Army. Lucy made her mark on the lives of people in churches and in chapels wherever they served—remembered always for her gracious, loving spirit, and her beautiful soprano voice. Paul and Lucy retired in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where they served faithfully for 31 years as volunteers in the Elizabethtown Church of the Nazarene. In the spring of 2013, Paul and Lucy moved to Meridian to be near several of their family members. They became part of Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene, where they quickly won the hearts of many.
Lucy leaves behind her husband Paul and their three sons and daughters-in-law: Larry and Linda of Nampa; Steve and Gail of Nashville, Tennessee; Tim and Cindy of Meridian. She also leaves behind her 8 grandchildren: Andrea (Ben) Fowler, Jenny (Jon) Wagner, Paula (Rob) Mays, Justin (Chelsea) Kendrick, Joy (Jeremy) Stockett, Krista (Josh) Patten, Kara (Josh) Gress, and Lora (Andrew) Dunlap. Grandma rejoiced with the births of every one of the 16 great-grandchildren and looked forward to more coming!
A celebration of Lucy’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 3, at 11:00 A.M. at Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene 150 W. Maestra St. in Meridian. Burial will take place at a later date in Des Moines, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Valley Shepherd Church.
