Jessica Jaine (McLucas) Truax

Jessica Jaine Truax, 47, of McConnellsburg, PA,  passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2023, surrounded by her family.  

Born Jessica Jaine McLucas, she was the daughter of Linda F. (Long) McLucas and Russell C. McLucas, Jr, of McConnellsburg, PA.  She became Mrs. Jessica Truax on July 31, 1999, when she married her beloved husband, Donald R. Truax III whom she always called Donnie. 

Jessica was a 1994 graduate of McConnellsburg High School where she honed her burgeoning art skills.  She then went on to graduate from Shepherd University in 1998 with a degree in Art Education.  With this degree, she had a 20+ year career as an elementary art teacher with the Chambersburg Area School District, serving in several schools. Many of those schools had limited space and budget for an art teacher and her supplies, but Jessica loved that kind of problem solving and always made it work. She even taught art in her busy summers “off” by doing arts and crafts for Vacation Bible School. When Covid pushed her classroom digital, Jessica recorded art tutorial videos for her students that could be done at home with minimal time and simple materials. Certainly, many children were lucky to have created something under her direction. 

In addition to her teaching, Jessica was a member of the Church of Christ in Berkeley Springs, WV and a longtime member of the Fulton County Grease, Steam & Rust Association. She and her husband were also BiValley softball coaches for many years.  She spent the bulk of her time tending to her family on the family farm, where she had lived all of her life.  She may have handed over her raking duties years ago, but she was still working and caring for those on the farm until the end.

Above all of these passions and pursuits, Jessica had what she would call her Masterwork, her three girls.  Nothing brought her more joy than watching her girls do anything, but she especially loved watching them participate in sports.  She was constantly surprised by their athletic prowess, which she jokingly admitted did not come from her.  She admired their beauty, their minds, their silly moments and their serious work ethic.  She marveled at Rosalyn’s love of learning and Lily’s dedication to the farm and Emma’s ability to make people laugh.  

In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by those well-loved daughters Rosalyn C. Truax,  Lily J. Truax and Emma M. Truax, all of McConnellsburg, PA. In addition, she will be missed by sister Kylene (wife of Scott) Arwood, of McConnellsburg, PA, brother Troy  (husband of Melissa) Long, of South Mountain, PA and brother-in-law Jamie (husband of Trisha) Truax, of Lebanon, PA.  She is also survived by six nieces and nephews whom she loved as well: Tyler, Shelby, Theodore, Henry, Cassidy and Cody.

There will be a visitation held on Friday, March 31, 2023 from 4 PM to 8 PM. at the Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home, Inc., McConnellsburg, PA. 

Funeral Services will be at the Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home Inc., McConnellsburg, PA, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 1, 2023  with Minister Joshua Hetrick officiating.  There will be one hour of visitation held prior to the service.  Interment will be at Union Cemetery McConnellsburg, PA.

 Arrangements were made by the Howard L. Sipes Funeral Home Inc., McConnellsburg, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.howardlsipes.com. 

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