Catherine Valeria (Lucas) Dailey

Surrounded by her beloved and cherished family, Catherine Valeria Dailey, of Clifton, Virginia, a spirit-filled, loving, and devoted mother, was peacefully called home to glory on June 6, 2025.

Catherine Valeria Dailey was born on October 14, 1926, to the late Estella Lucas Otey and David Lucas. She was the second of three daughters. Her siblings, Audrey Lucas Whitney and Bertha Juanita Banks preceded her in death. She attended and graduated from Norfolk County Public Schools. She married her childhood sweetheart, George Calvin Dailey (deceased), on September 22, 1947. Their union was blessed with two daughters Madeline Dailey and Betty Dailey.

Catherine was affectionately called Valeria, by her family and close friends. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She joined and was baptized at the Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia where she actively and faithfully served for over 80 years. She served in a number of ministries: as a dedicated perennial usher for more than 50 years; a loyal participant in Adult Sunday School, an assistant for Vacation Bible School, a servant leader for the Number 2 Usher Board; and a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. She was a skilled seamstress and an excellent homemaker, passionate about baking. She was an avid gardener who loved caring for her roses. She immensely enjoyed playing pinochle with her siblings and her in-laws and welcomed opportunities to travel.

In 2017, Catherine moved to Fairfax County, where she lived independently at the Herndon Harbor House in Herndon, VA. She enjoyed having her own apartment, being able to care for herself, and socializing with other residents. While there, she participated in resident meetings, weekly bingo, courtyard walks, talks with other residents, and chair exercises. She spent her weekends with family so that she could attend church on Sundays.

Catherine joined Antioch Baptist Church shortly after moving to Fairfax County. She became a regular participant of the 8AM Worship Service, Wednesday Night Bible Study, and Friday Morning Bible Study. She was lovingly known as “Mother Catherine “regularly providing “The Word of the Day” before each Bible Study.

Catherine leaves to cherish her memories, her daughters, Madeline D. Arter and Betty (Stephen); and two grandsons, Alexander Mial and Brandon Mial. She was a loving grandmother who prayed for her grandsons daily. She became the matriarch of the family after the death of her siblings, making herself available to all of her family. She became a surrogate mother to her nephew, Lawrence Davis, and communicated with him weekly. She was also mother to her loving attentive son-in-law, Stephen Mial, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. Mother Catherine will be deeply missed but her legacy of faith and love will always be remembered.

The family will receive friends on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 10 am until 11 am with funeral services starting at 11 am at Antioch Baptist Church, 6531 Little Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA, 22039. Rev. Dr. Kevin B. Taylor will deliver the eulogy. 
 

Services in Fairfax will be streamed live at https://antioch-church.org/streaming-access

Interment will be Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 11 am, at Roosevelt Memorial Park, 1101 Campostella Road Chesapeake, VA, 23320. 

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Lung Association at https://www.lung.org or can be mailed to: American Lung Association, National Direct Response Headquarters, P.O. Box 756, Osceola, WI 54020-0756

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Catherine Valeria (Lucas) Dailey, please visit our floral store.