Deborah Collins Luckadoo

Deborah Collins Luckadoo of Cary, NC, was born on May 12, 1954, in Concordia,

Kansas. She died peacefully at home on November 2, 2023, of brain cancer after

a 19 month battle, through which she had unwavering faith and remarkable

strength.

Deb was the daughter of Dr. Robert Collins and Donna Collins. She grew up in

Topeka, Kansas, as well as in Nebraska and South Dakota.

Deb received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas State University.

She received her doctorate in higher education administration from the University

of Georgia. Deb met Tim Luckadoo at the University of Georgia and they were married in

Athens, GA, on December 11, 1982. They had two children, Kate Collins Luckadoo

Overby and Maggie Collins Luckadoo.

Deb spent her career working with university students and staff at Kansas State

University, the University of Georgia, Oklahoma State University, and North

Carolina State University. In 2016, she retired with 22 years of service to NC State

in the role of Director of Staff Diversity for the University after 15 years as the

Director of Student Activities.

Deb strongly believed in equality for all people. She advised and mentored

countless students and staff members to help them reach their potential. She

taught graduate classes at NC State to prepare students for careers in higher

education. She was often sought as a speaker and workshop facilitator.

Deb enjoyed spending time at their cabin on Luckadoo Mountain, traveling to

Great Britain and Europe, gardening, daily walks around Cary and cooking meals

for her dear family and friends. She loved cheering on the Wolfpack Women’s

Basketball team, taking rides in her convertible and gathering with her loved ones

(including the five family rescue dogs).

Deb was predeceased by her parents Bob and Donna Collins, and father-in-law

Bob Luckadoo. Deb is survived by her husband, Tim Luckadoo; her children Kate

(Joe Overby) of Raleigh and Maggie (Alex Setzer) of Cary; mother-in-law Helvi

Luckadoo of Forest City; her sister Carolyn Warren (Roger) of Olathe, KS, and

brother Kim Collins (Debbie Denke) of Santa Barbara, CA, and many beloved

sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.

In accordance with her wishes, Deb will be buried near the family cabin on

Luckadoo Mountain in Western North Carolina.

A memorial service for Deb will be held at Cary Presbyterian Church on Saturday,

November 11 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund:

https://kayyow.com/

If you choose to donate, please include a comment to share that you are giving in memory of Deb.

The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.