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The “I Love This Bar” singer and Lucus met shortly after Keith graduated from high school. At the time, he was working in the oil fields and playing bars at night. The couple dated for three years, married in 1984 and welcomed two children.
Sadly, Keith, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021,died in February 2024. He was 62.
She and Keith met at a local bar
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After graduating from high school in 1979, Keith took a job as an oil field worker, just like his father, doing “typical roughneck stuff" and making $50,000 per year.
Keith also played and sang at local bars with his band called theEasy Money Band, which performed Alabama-style country-rock when he wasn’t working. It was during this time that he met Lucus, who was working as an oil company secretary at the time.
“I was 19 and he was 20,” she told PEOPLE in 2001. “He was just one of those larger-than-life guys, full of confidence.”
She and Keith got married in 1984
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The couple dated for three years before they decided to get married in 1984.
Keith celebrated the couple’s 39th wedding anniversary on Instagram in 2023,sharing an old photo of the coupleto commemorate the special day.
She has three children
Stelen Covel Instagram
Lucus is a mom to three children. She had her first daughter,Shelley Covel Rowlandin 1980, before meeting Keith. After they married, Keith adopted Shelley, and the couple went on to have two more children: daughterKrystalin 1985 and sonStelenin 1997.
Stelen, meanwhile, is an entrepreneur, involved with numerous businesses, including,Sellout Crowd,405 Burger Bar,Tequila ChulosandHollywood Corners. He is married to his wifeHaley, a travel advisor, and they have a Siberian Husky namedDodger.
The family supported Keith as he received the BMI Icon Award in November 2022, with Stelen sharing abehind-the-scenes video on Instagramof them celebrating together.
She supported Keith’s career early on
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Keith revealed that when “the oil fields went bust. I started concentrating on my music.”
He and his band began playing regional gigs full-time, while he and Tricia juggled creditors and raised a family.
“Dozens of people told Tricia, ‘You need to go tell your old man to get a real job,’ ” Keith toldCountry Weekly, perThe Boot. “It took a strong-hearted and loving woman to say, ‘He’s good enough at music that I’ve got to let him try. And it’ll be a great shot for both of us if he can make it work.’ ”
He added, “I absolutely love performing and writing songs, but being at home with my wife, Tricia, and my three kids is the best feeling of all.”
She thought Keith was charming
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Back in 1991, Lucus told PEOPLE that Keith always made an effort to make her feel special.
“Most people think he is just the most romantic person on the planet,” she shared. “He has his moments of charm. It is nice to get a bouquet of flowers, but I’ve told him, ‘Save the money. Roses die in five to seven days. Buy me an outfit or take me to dinner.’ ”
She supported Keith at awards shows
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Lucus supported Keith atcountlessawards showsand evenings ofhonorover the years.
In September 2023, less than six months before Keith’s death, Lucus attended thePeople’s Choice Country Awardswith her husband, where he accepted the Country Music Icon Award.
Keith’s speech brought Lucus to tears after he thanked his family and “the almighty for allowing me to be here tonight. You’ve been riding shotgun with me for a little while.”
She and Keith enjoyed playing golf
In their free time, the couple enjoyed playing golf, though Keith admitted they were not the best at the sport. Aside from playing, they also liked to begolf spectators.
She is a philanthropist
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In a2014 interview, Keith shared that the OK Kids Korral was a mix between “a Ritz Carlton and Disney.” Lucus added, “It gives me goosebumps thinking about it … one of the best things is when you go and see a smile on their face because they’re not at a hospital room.”
source: people.com
