Nellie Lee Lucas Way

Mrs. Nellie Lee Lucas Way, 98, died on September 30, 2024. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 11:00 AM in Ellaville City Cemetery with Rev. Wayne Morrow, Jr. officiating. The family will greet friends at Way-Watson Funeral Home in Ellaville on Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

Mrs. Way, as she was affectionately known to all, was born September 28, 1926, in Bleckley County, GA in the Cary community to David and Mary Mozelle Kitchens Lucas. Born the oldest of four children, just before the Great Depression, she was raised in rural Bleckley County on her family farm. Nellie contracted the Polio virus at age 4 and was left an “inconvenience” to her left leg and would walk with a brace for the rest of her life. She never let that slow her down, as she went on to graduate from High School and got married to the love of her life, John Samuel Way in Key West, FL. They moved to Ellaville in 1957 after their son was born and would own numerous businesses in Ellaville over many decades; a game room/arcade, laundromat, Ellaville Radio & TV, Ellaville Liquors and Way Properties. She was an exceptionally determined woman, and never let her disability stand in the way of her being able to accomplish what she wanted. Her selfless personality allowed her to help many local people through the years and she truly loved her Ellaville community. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Samuel Way; her son, Clarence Way; and three brothers, Jim Lucas, David Lucas and Cecil Lucas.

She is survived by her grandchildren, Sam Way and his wife, Ashley of Buena Vista, and Callie Smith and her husband, Andrew of Ellaville; six great-grandchildren, Candler, Olivia, Heavenly, Robert, C.J. and Breanna; nephews, Marion Lucas, Kenny Lucas, Mike Lucas, Bobby Ray Tomberlin, Donnie Tomberlin and Richard Lucas; two sisters-in-law, Jean Lucas and Margie Lucas; and special friends, Desse Powers and Libby Haynes.