Forever 22

By helping grieving families, a charitable foundation honors the memory of Lucas Worley

Saturday, August 13, 2022, is a day that will forever be stamped in the minds of Sean and Ashley Worley, the father and stepmother of 22-year-old Lucas Worley, who passed away tragically as the result of a fatal 3-vehicle car crash on that date.

Determined to do something meaningful to honor the memory of Lucas, the couple decided to help other families experiencing the same type of grief they endured at the time of Lucas’ death.  As a result, the couple established The Lucas Worley Youth Memorial Foundation.  The Foundation raises funds to help families that are at or below the poverty level and lose a child (ages 0-25) with no life insurance.  The Foundation focuses on families within the Appalachian region, particularly McCreary County.

“Lucas didn’t have life insurance because most kids don’t think about that,” Ashley said.  “Having to worry about burying your child is one of the most horrible things an individual can endure.  In my heart, I know Lucas would approve of the Foundation because he always wanted to help people.”

Lucas’ father agreed.

“I depended on Ashley’s strength during that time,” Sean explained.  “It’s unbelievably hard when you’ve got to sit at the funeral home and make decisions during the worst moments of your life.  As a parent, it feels insulting and wrong to even think about money when you’ve just lost your child.”

The Lucas Worley Youth Memorial Foundation has already assisted three families, in McCreary, Lincoln, and Casey Counties.

“It’s heart-wrenching, but at the same time, it is an honor to help,” Ashley said quietly.

The Foundation does not work directly with grieving families, but instead, works with funeral homes.

“The funeral homes reach out directly to us when there is a family legitimately in need,” the couple explained.  “Everyone thinks losing a child won’t happen to them, but it can and will. We started small with the foundation and it is growing.   Everything helps, even if it is just one or five dollars.”

Sean, with tears in his eyes, remembered his son.

“I don’t think there are many pictures of Lucas when he isn’t smiling,” Sean said.  “He smiled or laughed all the time.  Lucas was super smart, graduated from college early, and was completing a second degree when he died.  Lucas had a great sense of humor and was always one to just burst into laughter.  All the time, Lucas called me on the phone, and we would talk for hours.”

Just a few days before his death, Lucas made one of his last phone calls to his dad.  That conversation remains a memory.

“We were talking about things, about life,” Sean recalled.  “I remember Lucas’s words.  He said, ‘We’re all part of something bigger than us.  I’m part of the universe, and I’m OK with that.’”

Those wishing to donate can contribute directly to the Lucas Worley Youth Memorial Foundation at United Cumberland Bank.