Lona Belle (Poole) Lackey

Obituary of Mrs. Lona Belle Poole Lackey

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Mrs. Lona Belle Poole Lackey, age 103, of Hiddenite, NC, entered her heavenly home on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Valley Nursing Center in Taylorsville, NC.

Early Life:

Born on September 29, 1921, in Alexander County, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin Harrison Poole and Bertha Irean (Irene) Watts Poole.

Career & Service:

In her early years, Mrs. Lackey worked in various roles to help support her family. Remarkably, she even drove a heavy manual-shift logging truck for her husband’s business. In the early to mid-1950s, she made history by volunteering to drive and becoming the first woman to operate a school bus for Happy Plains, Alexander County’s segregated school at the time. Later, she was employed by Holly Farms until her retirement.

Faith & Community:

A devoted and lifelong member of Zion Chapel AME Zion Church in Hiddenite, NC, Mrs. Lackey served faithfully in many capacities over the years, including as a choir member, Sunday School Superintendent, Deaconess, and Missionary. She was always willing to lend a helping hand where needed. Beyond her service, she was known for her love of baking from scratch, sewing, and tending to her vegetable garden. Her family and community cherished her deeply. She has been recognized with proclamations from President Joe Biden, Governor Roy Cooper, and was even celebrated as Sheriff for the Day on her 100th birthday.

Preceded in Death:

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Burley Lackey Jr.; her children, Beryl Carlton Jr., Effie Irene Lackey, Steve Harrison Lackey (Jeanette), and Gary Eugene Lackey, and two grandchildren, Deidra Lackey and Melvin Todd Morrison.  She was also preceded in death by her brothers:  Romie Poole (Gladys), Reverend Clyde Poole, Paul Poole (Janie), Odell Poole (Velma). Sisters who preceded her in death were:  Essie Mae Poole-Bennett (Clemmons), Beatrice Poole Mayes Allison (Freeman), Wilma Poole Stevenson (Magellan), Madie Poole Scott (JC), Jones. Brother-in-Laws and Sister-in-Laws that preceded her in death were:  Parris Lackey (Arnesta), William Rankin, John Robert Lackey, William Carter Lackey (Ruth) and Sisters:  Annie Mae Lackey, Bettye Mayes Lackey.

Surviving Family:

Those left to treasure her memory include sons:   William Ray Lackey Sr. (Joyce) of Conover, NC, and Harvey Lee Lackey (Jeanie) of Taylorsville, NC; daughter Barbara Jean Robinson of Hiddenite, NC; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 8 great-great-grandchildren and 1 Godchild to cherish her memory.

Daughters-in-laws: V. Diane Carlton of Charlotte, NC, and Melissa Smith Lackey of Taylorsville, NC; Sister-in-laws, Betty Ross Poole of Hiddenite, NC, Barbara A. Lackey, Hiddenite, NC, Linda N. Lackey, Hiddenite, NC and Alice Rankin, Statesville, NC; Brother-in-Laws:  K. Russell Lackey Sr., Statesville, NC., James Aaron Lackey (Julia), Hiddenite, NC; Harry Truman Lackey (Barbara), Hiddenite, NC. and Joe Jones, Taylorsville, NC.

Service Details:

A Homegoing Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Zion Chapel AME Zion Church in Hiddenite, NC, with Pastor Robin Curry officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A viewing will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at Adams Funeral Home Chapel from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Condolences:

Condolences may be sent to www.adamsfunerals.com.

Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Lona Belle Poole Lackey.

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