Lucia Camper

Our beautiful Lucia went to be with her heavenly father on February 2, 2025. She was born on May 11, 1943, an only child of Milton and Beth Neaves Cotton. As a child she was doted on by her parents and grandfather. She developed a love of horses that lasted her whole life. Through her grandfather she grew to love the river and their summer cottage on the James River on the cliffs of Burrells Bay. She graduated from Petersburg High School. She went to college for one year at Virginia Intermont College. The next year she talked her daddy into letting her miss a year of college to go with friends on a cruise to Europe. As she promised her daddy, when she came home, she went back to college. She graduated from Richard Bland College with an associate's degree.

Lucia met Donald in 1964 and they married when he returned home from Vietnam in 1966. They remained married for 68 years. They were inseparable. While Lucia had no children of her own, her horses became her children. She enjoyed antique shopping with family and friends as well as spending time at the barn with her horses. She went to work with the National Park Service at Fort Lee and worked there until retirement. Donald and Lucia remodeled their summer cottage on the James River into their permanent home and lived there until she passed.

Lucia was predeceased by her parents, Milton and Beth Neaves Cotton; her in-laws, Braxton and Delma Camper; brother-in-law, Jackie Camper; and nephew, Brian Camper. Left to treasure her memories are her husband, Donald; cousins, Randy Williams, Dorothy Carter, Cathy Fischer, and Matthew Fischer; sisters-in-law, Dee Camper and Carolyn Fager (Wayne); brother-in-law, Dennis Camper (Pam); several much loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and her beloved horse, Dream.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 11:00 am, at Blandford Cemetery, 319 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA 23803. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at Smithfield Baptist Church, 100 Wainwright Drive, Smithfield, VA 23430. Please wear casual attire for the graveside and celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, if you so choose, you may donate to:
Mill Swamp Indian Horses
Check payable to Gwaltney Frontier Farm
16 Dashiell Drive
Smithfield, VA 23530

Isle of Wight Rescue Squad
13080 Great Springs Road
Smithfield, VA 23430

Rushmere Fire/Rescue Department
5354 Old Stage Highway
Smithfield, VA 23430