Lacy F. Paulette Jr.

Lacy F. Paulette Jr.

Lacy F. Paulette Jr., 93, died on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at his residence in the Colonnades retirement community in Charlottesville. Lacy was a business and church leader in the Charlottesville community for over 60 years.

He was born on September 7, 1918, in Newsoms, Virginia, son of the Reverend Lacy F. Paulette and Emma Tate Paulette. He grew up in Smithfield, Virginia, in a Baptist family headed by a father distinguished in the Virginia religious community and a mother who served as church organist and was active as a volunteer in the Smithfield area. He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army in combat in the European theater in World War II, entering through Omaha Beach and serving in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, until after armistice. He was a member of the Charlottesville Chapter of the American Legion, Post 74, and was active in the alumni group of the 445th Anti-Aircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the University of Richmond in 1947. He was certified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1949. In 1994, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants awarded him a life-time Honorary Membership, citing "appreciation and recognition of continuing contributions to the profession" for over 40 years. In Charlottesville, Lacy was an owner and secretary-treasurer of H. M. Gleason and Company Inc., being employed there from 1949 until his retirement in 1993. Many will remember him with other of Gleason's back office staff, asking about customers' families and chatting about their lives. His employees honored him by nominating him for several management distinctions, including being awarded Boss of the Year by the American Woman's Business Association (Charlottesville Chapter); CWI Credit Professional Boss of the Year. In his civic life, he was a charter member of the Charlottesville Civitan Club.

Lacy was a member of the First Baptist Church on Park Street throughout his time in Charlottesville where he taught various Sunday School classes through 2010. His many contributions in the church over the years included serving on the Board of Trustees, member and chairman of the Body of Deacons, and member of pastor selection committees. He was awarded Emeritus status for his service on both the Body of Deacons and the Board of Trustees. He cherished his work as a member of the church's evangelical visitation team from 1969 until 1983. Lacy was known as the "official hugger" on Sundays. In addition, he was elected Moderator of the Albemarle Baptist Association in 1966 and was Associational Sunday School Director in 1967. From 1976 until 1979, he was the Albemarle Baptist Association representative to the Virginia Baptist General Board. Beginning In the 1960's through the 1980's, he also served as a lay minister in over 60 churches throughout Central Virginia, carrying on his family tradition of the ministry.

Lacy is survived by his wife of 14 years, Ruth Owens Smith Paulette, with whom he had so much joy and support; by his son, L. Foster Paulette III of Kansas City, Missouri and Foster's children, F. Rhea Paulette of Prairie Village, Kansas and Mary Carrington "Carrie" Paulette of San Jose, California; by his daughter, Faith P. Hurley, and her husband, John Hurley, and children, Jordan and Ellen Hurley, all of Annandale, Virgina; and by his daughter, Pamela P. Morris and her husband, Timothy Morris, sons R.J. Thompson, and Colton, Tyler, and Adam Morris, all of Dillwyn, Virginia; and daughter, Amanda Dunkum and husband, Chip, of Buckingham, Virginia. In addition, he is survived by stepson, David L. Smith and his wife, Ann H. Smith of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and their children, David L. Smith II of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Lauren Pugh, husband, Brian, and daughter, Olivia, of Charlottesville, Virginia; stepson, William A. Smith Jr. and his wife, Janice M. Smith, of Lynchburg, Virginia, and their sons, Martin Smith of Columbus, Ohio, and Owen Smith, wife, Jennifer, and daughters Ariel, Sakari, and Talya, of Asheville, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Margaret Gwaltney Paulette; his brother, the Reverend Carrington Paulette; and sister, Martha Paulette Moore. To those that have known him, Lacy has been a special person - strong in his faith, true to his principles, with a twinkle in his personality that made all who knew him love him. The twinkle, the smiles, the hugs and the unwavering love he lavished on everyone will be so missed but will remain a treasure to his friends and family. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff of the Colonnades Assisted Living Facility for their loving care and support. We invite you to join us in a service and celebration of his life, 2 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2011, at First Baptist Church on Park Street in Charlottesville with the Reverend Dr. Lindsay Sadler and the Reverend Dr. Joel Jenkins officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Family night will be held from 7 until 8 p.m. Friday, November 18, 2011, at Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville. Memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church, 735 Park Street, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. Friends may sign the register book at www.hillandwood.com.



This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.