Annette Lucas was born April 6, 1960, to the late Rev. Raymond Baxter Miles and Beaufort Mae Miles. Raymond and Beaufort had six living children and after waiting seven years, Annette, a miracle baby, was born. Annette was born with numerous talents including singing, dancing, and painting. She went on to graduate from Sanderson High School where she was a member of the select chorus group, The Sandpipers, a member of the Advanced Art Club, and a dancer with the Spartanettes.

After graduating, she attended St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh where she majored in Sociology and was a member of St. Augustine Dance Troupe.

“Life is a journey and love makes that journey worthwhile.”

It was during this time that Annette was invited to Maryland to visit her cousin during July 4th festivities, that her life changed. There were many sparks that weekend, but none compared to the sparks she felt when she met Gregory Lucas. They married on July 3rd, 1982. Among many things, their love grew with loving families on both sides, great food explorations, jazz, and art. They even named their first dog, Jazzart.

“All because two people fell in love.”

Their union produced Gregory Leonard Lucas III and Ambrosia Milan Lucas. This made their life complete and whole. She and “Big Greg’s” soul purpose became making sure that not only did “Lil Greg,” and Ambrosia get good educations, be safe, and be fulfilled, they made sure their children had the opportunities to follow their passions. Annette delighted in seeing her children explore culinary arts, photography, personal training, wedding planning, and directing and producing.

You see Annette enjoyed exploring and learning. She was a certified sign language interpreter, a travel agent, Foreign Exchange Student Placement Coordinator among many things. Annette was even in the chorus of Disney’s Candlelight Christmas Choir where she worked for nine years. She loved to travel. She visited numerous states with her family and visited the Acropolis and the Parthenon in Greece, as well as, The Vatican, Mt. Vesuvius, The Coliseum, and the Trevino Fountain in Italy with her sisters.

When Annette was ten years old, her parents gave her a watch. This was no ordinary watch. It was a powered blue watch that was wrapped around the base of a porcelain Cinderella’s dress. The quote engraved on the watch base in gold defined how she would live her life.

“If you keep believing, the dream that you wish will come true.”

Annette felt she was destined to work for Disney, so she did. Annette, felt she wanted to marry her Prince Charming, so she did. Annette felt she wanted a boy then a girl. So, she did.

Annette loved art. She loved painting the various stages of her life with vibrant colors. She loved colors. Her expressions included depicting everyday life. She loved painting couples in love, families having fun, and children playing. She did not believe in painting anything negative. She believed that if you spoke it and even painted it, you could manifest it. She chose to always be positive and happy. One of her finest achievements was when she was commissioned to paint the scenery through different stages of the Amistad, a play retention produced in Raleigh. She went on to paint numerous pictures, create prints, and even created a line of porcelain plates with her paintings on them.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart” Helen Keller.

Annette lived a wonderful life full of love and creativity. She was a happy, curious, seeker of all things united. She always took time to take care of and counsel others. She in fact, never met a stranger. Perhaps Annette’s greatest gift in life was the innate ability to find magic where ever she went.

As we move forward in our lives, please choose to remember how she lived hers. Love your family, listen to your friends, gather, fellowship, eat and drink and lean towards being positive and happiness, follow your bliss and find a colorful, vibrant, magical rainbow in every storm you face.

“God promises to make something good out of the storms that bring devastation to your life” Romans 8:28

Annette is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Raymond Baxter Miles and Beaufort Mae Miles; brothers, Willie Lee Miles and Rufus Neal Miles.

She is Survived by her husband Gregory L. Lucas; son, Gregory L. Lucas III; daughter, Ambrosia Milan Lucas, and granddaughter Lilliana Faith Lucas; brothers, Dr. Rev. Hal Vester Miles, Thomas Earl Miles (Doris ), Beaufort Gene Sherrod, David Baxter Miles; sisters, Helen Lois Miles, Juanita Sherrod, Ginger Michelle Wooten( Reggie), and Joyce Ann Miles.

She is also survived by one paternal aunt, Clyde Esther Bobbit and a host of nieces and nephews.

Colorful flowers were a favorite of Annette, and are welcomed by the family.