Bennie "Lucille" Zayas

Bennie “Lucille” Zayas of Upper Marlboro, Maryland peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the age of 81. She was born in Mims, Florida on July 17, 1943. Lucille later moved to Syracuse, NY where she worked for 32 years for Bristol Myers before she retired. She later relocated to Upper Marlboro, Maryland to be close to her son and grandchildren. Lucille was a faithful member of Mt. Enon Baptist Church of Clinton, Maryland, under the leadership of Pastor Benjamin Coates. Her favorite passage of scripture was Psalms 91, and her favorite song was "Nearer My God to Thee.” Lucille was a Bible Study teacher for many years in both New York and Maryland, and she enjoyed teaching God’s Word. She held several leadership positions in various Christian organizations. Lucille was the former President of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Northeastern District’s Women’s Department, an area VP for the Women’s Auxiliary of the Empire Missionary Baptist Convention of New York, Inc., an instructor for the Northeastern Congress of Christian Education, the Empire Missionary Baptist Congress of Christian Education, and the National Congress of Christian Education of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Lucille was the daughter of the late Effen Coger and Bennie Coger Green. She was married to the late George Zayas. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Sandy Coger, two sisters, Barbara Elmore and Sylvia Green, along with two brothers, Willie Coger and Sugar-Ray Green. Lucille is survived by her son, Reginald Zayas (Khandyce Judson) of Hyattsville, Maryland; five grandchildren: Jamar Coger, Micah Coger, Reginald Zayas, Jr., NeAva Zayas, and Noah Nance; and three great-grandchildren: Jamar Coger, Jr., Olivia Coger, and Kennedy Coger; two sisters: Effie Armstrong of Syracuse, NY and Shirley Johnson (Lonnie) of Asheville, NC; one daughter-in-love, Saneva Zayas; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. A calling hour will take place on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M., immediately followed by a funeral service in celebration of Lucille’s life at 11:00 A.M. in Southern Missionary Baptist Church, 3143 Midland Ave., Syracuse. She will be laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery, Syracuse.

Bennie "Lucille" Zayas

July 17, 1943 - October 8, 2024