Lacy, Leland Bailey
Leland Bailey Lacy, 60, of Blacksburg, Va., departed this life on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg, Va., after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born in Bluefield, W.Va., on October 30, 1949, and grew up in Rock, W.Va., the only child of the late Robert Lee and Mary Violet Bailey Lacy.
He was a 1967 graduate of Montcalm High School; earned an Associate Degree from Bluefield College in Engineering; a BS Degree in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; returned to VPI & SU to complete his pre-pharmacy studies; and in 1977 earned a Doctorate of Pharmacy from Mercer University School of Pharmacy in Atlanta, Ga. He was most recently employed at Carilion Giles Community Hospital in Pearisburg, Va. He previously worked at Rite Aid Pharmacy in Pearisburg and Kroger Pharmacy at Smith Mountain Lake.
Leland was the happiest during his 20 years of working beside his dear friend, George Mauney, when they operated and co-owned Hometown Pharmacies located in Pembroke, Narrows, and Peterstown with Burl Compton and Owen McKay. “Lee” lived life as a series of special moments, cherishing friends and family. He had a generous heart and a quick smile and wit. His laughter would light up a room. He was always a great hugger. He loved to study the history and culture of Native Americans and was an avid student of early American history and the National Park Service. He enjoyed photography, reconstructing his own cabin from authentic hand-hewn logs, and watercraft recreation.
He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife and best friend of 39 years and childhood friend since first grade and sweetheart since tenth grade, Debra Johnson Lacy; his father-in-law, Robert R. Johnson, and his companion, Pat McQuown, of Supply, N.C.; his brotherin-law, Bobby Johnson, of Bluefield, W.Va.; his maternal uncle, Lucian P. Bailey, of Bluefield, Va.; his paternal aunt, Mable Lacy Helmondollar, of Bluefield, W.Va.; his aunts by marriage, Hazel Lacy and Hattie Lacy, of Bluefield, W.Va.; many Lacy, Bailey, and Smith cousins near and dear; his dear friends, George and Suzan Mauney, Alan and Terry McKay, Kerry Brisco, Burl Compton, and Owen McKay; his beloved co-workers, Amy Westmoreland, Vickie Miller, Beth Cupp, and Stephanie Tatum; and his five godchildren, Jennifer McKay Muffler, Christy McKay Usa, Laura McKay, Matt McKay, and Patrick Leland Mauney.
Graveside Services will be conducted 2 p.m. on Friday, June 4, 2010, in Monte Vista Cemetery located on Old Bluefield-Princeton Road, Bluefield, W.Va., with Pastor Eddie Kendall officiating. The family will receive friends at the Kendall Funeral Home, 605 Snidow Street, Pembroke, Va., on Thursday evening, June 3, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, Tenn. 38148-0142. Online condolences may be sent to kendallfuneralhome.com.