Celia Lucas Vinterella

Celia Lucas Vinterella passed away on January 13, 2015 after a ten year battle with breast cancer. The family will greet friends on Thursday, January 15, 2015 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at McCullough Funeral Home and a homecoming memorial service will be held Friday January 16, 2015 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home, interment will follow at Parkway Memorial Gardens.

Celia was born in Bibb County, Georgia to the late Leroy H. and Doris K. Lucas, the last of four children she being the baby and only girl.

Celia, as a child and young adult attended Liberty United Methodist Church where she studied in VBS, MYF, and Sunday-School. She also attended the Sunday morning and evening services along with her siblings and parents. She attended Heard Elementary School in Bibb County and graduated from North Side High School Class of 1971 in Warner Robins. She attended Macon Jr. College obtaining an Associate Degree in 1977, while working as a legal secretary for her late brother Ken Lucas. She bore her only child Lauren on November 6, 1983. This made her more determined than ever to complete her education. So while working a full time job and raising a family she earned her Bachelor's Degree and her Master's Degree in 1991 and 1998 respectively from Georgia College, a very tough challenge indeed as a single parent. After about a 5 year tenure with her brother Ken she took her talent to Robins Air Force Base where she held several prominent positions all reporting directly to the C.O. of that Department.

On June 17, 2002 she married the love of her life Sal Vinerella with whom she made her life complete.

Celia grew up on a farm in South Bibb County as the baby and only girl in the family however that didn't give her any breaks on the farm as she had to carry her load as did her siblings and she took her chores very seriously and strived to out preform her big brothers. Whether it was toting corn in her arms out of the field, picking peaches, or standing on a peach crate frying chicken for four hungry men she did it all. This background certainly set the groundwork in later life for her ambition, high degree of will power, can do attitude, improvising, and a host of others that guarantees success in a demanding world. She passes on that trait to her daughter and grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their mother and grandmother as are all of her family and friends.

Celia leaves behind to cherish her memories, her loving husband, Sal M. Vinterella of Macon; children, Lauren Ellis (Michael) of Warner Robins, Stacie Seay of Dallas, Texas, Brent Vinterella (Nancy) of Canton; grandchildren, Chandler Linn, Marissa Linn, Isabella Cecelia Ellis, Veronica Ellis, Ginny Ellis, Catelyn Seay, Catherine Seay, Katie Vinterella; brother, Harry Lucas (Gina) of Warner Robins; nieces and nephews, John Lucas, Wesley Lucas, Keith Lucas, Ashton Lucas; and close friends, Susie Walker and Phyllis Heald.

Her brothers, Ken "Red" Lucas and Bob "Silver" Lucas, preceded her in death.

The family will accept flowers or donations may be given In Memory of Celia Lucas Vinterella to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has charge of arrangements.


Funeral Home:
McCullough Funeral Home
417 S. Houston Lake Rd.
Warner Robins, GA
US 31088