Taresa Lynn Lucas

Taresa Lynn Landers Lucas, age 79, of North Richland Hills, Texas, went to be with her savior during the early hours of Friday, July 26, 2024. To the gentle hum of her favorite gospel music and prayers, Taresa exchanged Parkinson's and dementia for God’s eternal peace while surrounded by her family. 

Taresa was born on January 9, 1945 to the late Lewis and Ethel Colleen Holt Landers in Fort Worth, Texas. Although deeply missed already, her legacy built on love, kindness, and compassion will be carried on by her husband of 55 years, James “Jim” Nimmo Lucas; her children, Robby Williams, Bobby Lucas, Jimmy Lucas, and Nicole Lucas Shannon. 

Taresa loved to see the beauty in all of God’s creations. First and foremost she was a follower and believer in Jesus. She was an advocate of people and taught her children the importance of being sweet, kind, loving, caring and respectful. She modeled this all of her life. 

More than anything, she cherished her family and enjoyed any amount of time with them. She had four children but was a mother to so many more. She was affectionately known as Mother Taresa by her kids' friends and opened her home to any and all that knocked on the door. Her home was a safe haven for all, her walls adorned with generations of family photos and Christian crosses. Over the years, her home became a canvas for what filled her heart and a familiar place for loved ones to visit. Those who were blessed to know Taresa will remember her as a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, Mimi, and friend. She was someone that was always willing to listen and provide counsel, encouragement, love and certainly a hug. 

Taresa grew up in Benbrook, Texas. While at a Junior High School basketball game she met a boy named Jim Lucas from Riverside. She went on to graduate from Northside High School. 

Some years later while working as a nurse at All Saints Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas she ran into a cute 23 year old ambulance driver from Lucas Funeral Homes who happened to be the same boy she met many years ago.

Shortly following this reintroduction the pursuit began. Borrowing his brother's black Chevy Impala Super Sport, Jim set off from Riverside to Benbrook for a first date. No time was wasted and they were married in Jim’s grandfather's office at Lucas Funeral Home in Fort Worth, children quickly ensued. Taresa would often say her best and hardest job was being a mom which she loved more than anything. 

As her children started elementary school she herself went back to school. Her family came first and they never wanted for anything. She would take classes during the day and be in the carpool line to pick up her kids and the neighborhood kids after school. She graduated from TCU with a degree in Social Work and later from UTA with a Masters degree in Social Work.

She quickly balanced an impressive work, home life balance. Taresa’s worked as Crisis Counselor at multiple schools across Birdville ISD and touched the lives of countless students and their families. After retirement from Birdville ISD she began a counseling career with Cornerstone Counseling focusing on Individual and family therapy. 

Taresa was a long time member of Peace Lutheran Church where she volunteered in almost all aspects of ministry; from VBS, the Card Ministry, Stephen Ministry and served many years on the Missions Board. She was a part of the Thursday morning women’s Bible study and treasured those friendships. 

Her happy place was at her “mountain house” in Red River, New Mexico where she vacationed as a child and later making it her favorite place to be with her family and close friends. 

She is preceded in death by her precious granddaughter, Lauren Williams; parents, Lewis and Colleen.

If you wish to make a donation in her honor her favorite charities are:

Lutheran Social Services (UpBring), where she gave much of her time and support, https://upbring.org/

World Vision, many years ago she sponsored a boy named, Faiza from Uganda and was a faithful supporter of him, https://www.worldvision.org/donate

Taresa is survived by her husband of over 55 years, Jim Lucas; son, Robby Williams; son, Bobby Lucas and wife, Jennifer; son Jimmy Lucas and wife, Jennifer; daughter, Nicole Shannon and husband, Boyd; grandchildren, Ryan Hunter and wife, Hanna; Nathan Lucas, Madeline Lucas, Peyton Shannon, Lucas Shannon, and Abigail Lucas; brother, Tim Landers and wife, Theresa; sister, Joy Carter and husband, Ed; numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family members and a host of friends. 

For those traveling from out of town, these are the hotels closest to Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst:

Holiday Inn Express DFW West Hurst:
820 Thousand Oaks Drive, Hurst, Texas 76054
817-427-1818
*Ask for Lucas Funeral Home bereavement rate

Hampton Inn & Suites 
1600 Hurst Town Center Dr, Hurst, TX 76054
817- 503-7777
*Ask for Lucas Funeral Home bereavement rate

Hyatt Place Fort Worth / Hurst:
1601 Hurst Town Center Dr, Hurst, TX 76054-6238
817-577-3003

Hilton Garden Inn / Hurst Conference Center
1615 Campus Dr, Hurst, TX 76054
817-281-5800