Photos by Tevin Stinson
Drummers, dancers and steppers from the past and present followed closely behind the hearse carrying Moses "Mo" Lucas during a parade following the memorial
service held at Union Baptist Church on Sunday, June 26.
Hundreds celebrate Moses 'Mo' Lucas at memorial service
Dr. Larry Little talks about the impact Moses "Mo"
Lucas had on the Winston-Salem community during
a balloon releasing at Drayton Park on Sunday,
June 26. Little also called for the Winston Lake
YMCA to be renamed to honor Lucas, who served
children through various programs for more than 50
years.
BY TEVIN ST1NSON
THE CHRONICLE
It was standing room
only inside Union Baptist
Church Sunday afternoon,
as more than 400 people
gathered to celebrate the
life and legacy of one of the
city's most influential
members, Moses "Mo"
Lucas.
Lucas, 89, better known
as "Mr. Mo," passed away
Tuesday, June 21, while
surrounded by family and
friends.
Mr. Mo was born in
Wilson, but became a leg
end in Winston-Salem as
an employee and volunteer
at the Winston Lake and
Patterson Avenue YMCA
branches. While Lucas
wore many hats during his
tenure at the Y, including
bus driver, deejay and box
ing coach just to name a
few, he was best known for
mentoring hundreds of
young men through his
drill and step teams that
performed in countless
parades and events across
the state.
A U.S. Army veteran
and 1956 graduate of
Winston-Salem Teachers
College (now Winston
Salem State University, or
WSSU), Lucas also played
a major role in forming the
Youth Incentive Program,
The Boss Drummers drum
line, the Yettes dance
troupe and many other pro
grams at the Y. During the
memorial service, elected
officials, community lead
ers and residents of all ages
sat shoulder to shoulder as
city native Bishop Todd
Fulton delivered the eulo
gy
Fulton, who spent time
at the Y growing up, said
his entire life Lucas fought
the good fight.
"Mo said, finish the
fight," he continued. "Five
generations here today
prove that he fought the
good fight, and we have to
finish what he started."
Fulton said Lucas was
the type of person who
would give his last to make
sure children in the com
munity had what they
needed. He noted, "Lucas
taught hundreds of young
African-American boys
and girls that they could be
anything they wanted to be
if they kept God first and
stayed out of trouble.
"Mo Lucas came home
from the war but he contin
ued to fight for youth in
this community. Long
before grants and scholar
ships, Mo took what he
hadand made what he
wanted," Fulton said.
"Although the odds
were against him, he kept
fighting. We have to keep
the faith, that's what Mo
Lucas would tell us today.
Even when it doesn't look
good, we have to keep the
faith, and continue to fight
for the youth in this com
munity."
Mayor Pro Tempore
Vivan H. Burke presented
Lucas' family with a
proclamation from Mayor
Allen Joines. Burke
announced Lucas' named
would be added to a monu
ment in Evergreen
Cemetery where other local
greats are listed.
Following the service, a
parade led by the hearse
carrying the iconic Lucas
made its way to Drayton
Pine Parkon West 14th
Street, where dozens of
balloons were released to
honor Lucas. Steppers,
drummers and dancers
from the past and present
followed closely behind,
while hundreds more lined
the sidewalk, thanking
Lucas.
Dr. Larry Little, WSSU
associate professor of polit
ical science and longtime
community activist, urged
the community to start a
campaign to have the
Winston Lake Y renamed
the Mo Lucas Family
YMCA.
Little also called for a
street to be renamed to
honor Lucas.
"We are going start a
petition to see that these
changes are made," he said.
"We have to keep Mr.
Lucas' spirit alive.
Although he is no longer
with us, we have the
responsibility to ensure his
legacy lives on forever."
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