Fred Lackey, Jr.

On Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, Fred Lackey, Jr. (age 91) departed from this Earth, for his eternal home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Born Oct. 11, 1927, in TyTy, a city in Colquitt County, Ga. As a South Georgia farm boy, Fred grew up working on the family farm alongside his parents, four sisters and brother.
Born to Fred Luster Lackey and Ethel Leona Ethridge, he attended a local school where he met and later married his grade school sweetheart.
Some years after his marriage to Ramona Christine Sparks on June 6, 1948, Fred moved his family to Tallahassee, Fla., where he began a long and distinguished career with the Velda Dairies/Southland Corporation, before retiring with them.
Blessed with three sons, Fred was involved with his children by coaching their baseball teams and participating in numerous other activities with them. For many years he would annually make “Lackey’s” sugar cane syrup, which people would come from far and wide to purchase, as would many local businesses.
Fred Lackey, Jr. was an active member into his later years at the Indian Springs Baptist Church, in Tallahassee. Known to many as Deacon Fred, he began his walk with the Lord at an early age and continued to serve as a Deacon, Lead Deacon and then Deacon Emeritus with the Indian Springs congregation for the past 22 years. Known for his love of God, and willingness to help others, he was quick to lend a hand to those in need, whether spiritually, physically or financially.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred Luster Lackey (1902-1976) and Ethel Leona Lackey (1900-1991) as well as three sisters: Mary Lee Lackey (1923-1924), Willie Troy Lackey (1924-1977) and Ruby (Jack) Nell Gay (1936-2008).
Left to mourn his passing and cherish many wonderful memories is his wife of 71 years, Ramona Christine Lackey. He also leaves his three sons: Jerry Reid Lackey (Mary), of Tallahassee; Larry Wayne Lackey (Bonnie), of Monticello; and Michael James Lackey (Shari), of Tampa; two sisters: Mamie Kathryn Baker, of Macon, Ga., and Betty Jane Jay, of Omega, Ga.; and one brother, William Thomas Lackey (Luvania), of Cairo Ga.; his extended family of 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, his church family, numerous nephews, nieces, good friends, great neighbors and his faithful dog, Mojo, who was always by his side.
A visitation was held on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home in Monticello. A funeral service and internment will be on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 11 a.m., at Indian Springs Baptist Church, which is located at 5593 Veterans Dr., in Tallahassee.