Reverend Walter Irvin Lucas

Reverend Walter Lucas, 65, of Huntersville, North Carolina, formerly of Worcester, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2025, in Salisbury, NC, after a yearlong battle with health challenges.

Rev Lucas was born on August 23, 1959, in Spring Hope, North Carolina, to Bernice (Baines) and Roy Lucas. Walter spent his early childhood in Wilson, North Carolina, before relocating to Worcester, Massachusetts in 1975. There, he attended middle and high school and upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, graduating from the Academy of Health Sciences in San Antonio, Texas. He then served as an Army Medic.

After his honorable military service, Walter returned to Worcester and attended Quinsigamond Community College. Over the years, he held many professional roles, including Medical Assistant at the University of Massachusetts, Community Liaison, Mentor, and CEO/Founder of Life Renewal Healthcare. Answering the call to ministry was Reverend Lucas’s most meaningful life pursuit. In 1998, he earned his pastoral certification from the International Ministry Institute and later graduated from C.H. Mason Bible College in 2001. In October of 2013, he founded Faith Tabernacle Church of Worcester, where he declared that “Everyone is someone.” His ministry was rooted in compassion, inclusion, and service. Under his leadership, the church initiated a wide array of community programs, including, youth mentoring and education, backpack and school supply drives, Narcan training and cancer ministry classes, food donations and feeding the homeless, ecumenical services and church partnerships.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dr. Debra Maddox, with whom he shared his home in North Carolina; his beloved son, Anthony Jones and daughter-in-law Neha Yadav-Jones, of Iselin, New Jersey; his devoted stepchildren: Ryan Davidson, Nyia Anderson, and Khadijah Anderson, whom he loved as his own. Reverend Lucas was the proud grandfather of Trezur “Zayden” Jones and Ananya Yadav- Jones, and step-grandfather to Zaiel “Ziggy” Davidson, Daylina Davidson, and Kai Maddox, all of whom held him close in love and esteem.

Beyond his immediate family he is also survived by his siblings: Iola Vance of Worcester, Willistine Lucas of Wilson, NC, Roy Lucas of Grafton, and Deborah Lucus Jackson of Waterbury, CT; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and extended family, including his devoted niece Nicole Toney with whom he shared a particularly close bond. In addition to his parents, a sister Bonnie Boakye, also predeceased him.

Rev. Lucas was a member of the Worcester Black Clergy Alliance (WBCA), where he worked alongside fellow pastors to advocate for and support the education of Black youth. Through initiatives such as Dress for Success, resume writing workshops, job readiness training, and community resource referrals, helping young people access opportunities and build their futures. He also served on the board of the Mosaic Culture Complex, where he championed violence prevention and self-empowerment programs—particularly for men of color—using peace circles and community dialogue, and the Massachusetts Clergy Advisory Council under Governor Deval Patrick. Prior to becoming ill in 2024, Reverend Lucas was appointed Superintendent for the Church of God and Christ, Greater New Hampshire Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.

Reverend Walter Lucas lived his life in the service of others, deeply committed to his faith, family, and community. His ministry reflected the love, compassion, and humility of Jesus Christ, whose teachings he upheld and preached faithfully. One of his favorite sayings was: “I didn’t write it—it’s in the Book,” a testament to his unwavering devotion to the Word of God. He leaves behind a legacy of love, leadership, and service that will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know him. He was also an avid fisherman and golfer.

Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours, Monday, July 21st from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. and again from 10 am to 10:45 am Tuesday, July 22nd in the  Belmont AME Zion church, 55 Illinois St. followed by his funeral service at 11:00 am. Burial with military honors will be in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.